Children's Home run by Middlesbrough Borough Council in Middlesbrough

Inspection report children’s home: SC472374 1 SC472374 Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned and run by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural problems. The manager has been registered since 2016.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 20 February 2018

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2018 Full requires improvement to be good 21/02/2017 Interim improved effectiveness 28/06/2016 Full good 08/03/2016 Interim improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC472374 2

p.1

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.2

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff— seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (a)(b)(c)(d)) In particular, the registered manager should liaise with the virtual school head in terms of the education for the children and young people. 30/04/2019

p.2

Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study; understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers; help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment; promote opportunities for each child to learn informally. (Regulation 8 (1)(2)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)) In particular, staff should engage children and young people not in education in structured activities, while their education placements are being arranged. 30/04/2019

p.2

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the 30/04/2019 Inspection report children’s home: SC472374 3 registered person to— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(c)(f)) In particular, the registered provider must ensure that all staff are provided with the skills and knowledge to carry out their role, including with children and young people who have challenging behaviour.

p.2

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(a)) In particular, the home must not admit children and young people in an emergency, or when assessment clearly shows that the child or young person, or those already in the home, would be at risk. 30/04/2019

p.3

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if— the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child’s needs; the child is, or has been, persistently absent from the home without permission; or the child requests a review of the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(e)(i)) In particular, staff, including the registered manager, must challenge the local authority social worker if plans for the next placement for children and young people are not adequate for 30/04/2019

p.3

Requirement Due date

Inspection report children’s home: SC472374 4 their needs.

p.4

Recommendations

 Staff skills for safeguarding should include being able to identify signs that children may be at risk, and support children in strategies to manage and reduce any risks. Staff should encourage children to express their views about whether they feel safe both within and outside the home. Staff should support children to understand how to ask for help to stay safe and that the home is an environment which supports this. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.10)  Staff need the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are gained, refreshed and recorded in the home’s workforce plan. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12.) In particular, the registered

p.4

Recommendations

provider must ensure that all staff, including the registered manager, undertake training on county lines behaviour, delivered by a suitably qualified and experienced practitioner.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children and young people have been placed in the home outside the terms of the statement of purpose. Members of staff have struggled to understand the complexities of some children and young people. As a result, staff have not been able to consistently meet their needs and promote their welfare. A requirement is made.

p.4

improvement to be good

Several members of staff have not had key training, including restorative practice. This means that the approach of members of staff is inconsistent. As a result, children and young people do not understand the expectations of them and their behaviour. This is a significant issue in this home and a requirement is made about essential training being provided.

p.4

improvement to be good

Members of staff lack confidence to manage difficult behaviour within the home. Some children and young people have been far more challenging since they were admitted to the home, compared to previous placements. The police have been used to help manage behaviour more often than is reasonable. This means that since moving to the home, some children and young people have become involved in youth offending services for the first time.

p.4

improvement to be good

The registered manager has not liaised with professionals who could improve the educational opportunities for children and young people. In particular, there have been poor levels of involvement with the virtual school. Some children and young people have Inspection report children’s home: SC472374 5 not been in any education for a long period. A requirement is made.

p.4

improvement to be good

Members of staff encourage children and young people to go to college and other forms of education. When they make progress, staff celebrate their achievements. However, when children and young people lose interest in education, staff struggle to motivate them. Staff do not provide structured activities during the day. The lack of structure means some children and young people gravitate to more risk-taking behaviours.

p.5

improvement to be good

Staff make efforts to support the children and young people with their emotional and physical health and well-being. Members of staff encourage children and young people to attend important medical appointments, although they tend not to engage.

p.5

improvement to be good

Restraint is not used in this home. All members of staff, including casual staff and those newly appointed, complete restraint training. Members of staff try to promote de- escalation techniques, including providing positive activities and experiences.

p.5

improvement to be good

Children and young people are looked after by staff who care about them. For some children and young people, this is the first time they have experienced this level of commitment from those who look after them.

p.5

improvement to be good

Members of staff support the transitions of children and young people from the home either back to their family or to another provision. Staff do this through information- sharing, advice and support. This provides reassurance to the new carers and will ensure some continuity of care for the children and young people.

p.5

improvement to be good

Members of staff make efforts to gather the views of children and young people. This includes holding individual meetings, when group sessions have been unsuccessful. This will encourage children and young people to accept that they have some influence over their lives and that their views are of value to others.

p.5

improvement to be good

This home is furnished to a high standard, it is well maintained and is very welcoming. The communal areas are warm and inviting. Following the last inspection, the office was moved downstairs. This has been positive, as it means that staff are more accessible. This will help children and young people feel safe and supported.

p.5

improvement to be good

Members of staff try to keep children and young people safe. When they are missing from the home, appropriate protocols are followed. Return home interviews are always requested, although the children and young people rarely respond to these. Despite the staff’s efforts, they struggle to make a positive difference to the children’s and young people’s lives. Some children and young people are regularly missing from the home and are vulnerable.

p.5

improvement to be good

Some of the children and young people are involved in anti-social behaviour. They spend significant amounts of time with people who members of staff know nothing about. Members of staff are not vigilant enough about the activities of some children and young Inspection report children’s home: SC472374 6 people and do not make enough efforts to protect them.

p.5

improvement to be good

Children and young people have individual risk assessments that set out what action staff must take in response to risks. However, because relationships between staff and children and young people lack appropriate levels of authority, risk assessments are ineffective and leave some children and young people vulnerable.

p.6

improvement to be good

Members of staff, including those who are newly appointed, know what to do if there is a safeguarding issue. The staff team has had some initial training on the risks of county lines behaviour. They would benefit from further information from an appropriately experienced practitioner. A recommendation is made in this respect.

p.6

improvement to be good

Staff are appropriately recruited and trained. This means that children and young people are cared for by staff who do not pose a risk to them and who are well prepared for the caring role.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The registered manager has taken up her post following a difficult period for the home. She has made progress in many areas and the home is operating better than at the time of the previous inspection. Members of staff give positive feedback about the registered manager. They feel better supported than was the case. Many of the difficulties highlighted in this inspection arise from practices that have been in place for a long time. The manager is aware of these issues and is trying to make improvements. Some children and young people have become more settled as a result of the developments that are already in place.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Transitions for some children and young people have been poor because of a lack of challenge to the local authority. The registered manager has not ensured that the required level of support and monitoring for children and young people in their new placements is available. A requirement is made in this respect.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The registered manager has improved the way that feedback is gathered about the care the home provides. She seeks the views of children and young people, family members and professionals. The registered manager has ensured that external monitoring has also improved. This will help her to monitor progress and ensure that children and young people receive a better level of care.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is Inspection report children’s home: SC472374 7 making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC472374 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Middlesbrough Borough Council, PO Box 99, Middlesbrough TS1 2QQ

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered manager: Kalia-Marina Kourou-Paradeli

p.8

Inspector

Jane Titley, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC472374 9 achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn.

p.9

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9