Children's home run by Leicester City Council

Inspection report children’s home: SC039001 1 SC039001 Registered provider: Leicester City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven children and young people. The main purpose of the home is to look after those young people identified by the local authority as being in need of support and structure and who are unable to live with their family. The home is designed to allow for a more ‘semi-independent’ service for the older young people. The opportunity to offer this type of provision has enabled young people to experience semi-independent accommodation before they leave care. The manager was registered with Ofsted in June 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness. The registered manager and her team have worked hard since the last inspection to address the four requirements made. As a result, young people have continued to make good progress, even though some young people have experienced unsettled periods. This continued progress can be attributed to the commitment of the staff team, who do not give up on young people. Inspection report children’s home: SC039001 2 Young people are happy and have positive relationships with staff. A young person told the inspector that they are safer now because their behaviour has improved. This young person is working towards returning to live with their family, which is real progress. Another young person’s emotional well-being has improved because staff have supported them in challenging other agencies to address the young person’s needs. As a

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

result, the young person has returned to education and has high aspirations for their future. Staffing levels have improved. This means that the registered manager and her management team have been able to concentrate on managerial tasks and improving systems within the home. The registered manager provides good leadership and direction and staff find her very supportive. A number of new systems and practices have been introduced, resulting in improved care for young people. The shortfalls from the previous inspection have been addressed. Admission procedures are much improved. The registered manager ensures that she has enough information to inform the decision-making process regarding the admission of young people. She has become more confident in challenging professionals about the suitability of the home for each young person referred. Planning for admissions is good. This is seen as key in helping young people to move into the home in a planned, positive

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

way. It has also helped young people to settle very quickly. A social worker commented on how quickly one young person has settled in the home. This young person is thriving, and has re-engaged in education. A new format for assessing the impact and compatibility of young people being referred to the home has recently been introduced. This has helped to ensure that the admission of any new young people does not have a negative impact on the existing group. Transitions from the home are not always planned in a timely manner, despite the best efforts of staff. As a result, young people approaching 18 years of age do not always receive timely support. Improvements have been made to young people’s individual risk assessments. They are now more concise and easier to follow. Records viewed during this inspection were signed and dated by the author. This has addressed the previous requirement made. Partnership working continues to be strong, which helps to ensure that young people

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/04/2018 Full Good 31/07/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 16/11/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC039001 3

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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 making for the children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City Hall, 3rd Floor, Rutland Wing, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ

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Inspector

Katarina Djordjevic, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC039001 4 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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