Children's home run by Hartlepool Borough Council in Hartlepool

Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 1 SC472417 Registered provider: Hartlepool Borough Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A local authority owns and operates the home. The manager has been in post since the home opened in October 2013.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 12 February 2019

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/02/2019 Full Good 17/07/2017 Full Good 22/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/08/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children receive good-quality, nurturing care from a motivated and committed staff team that genuinely cares about them. The eclectic staff team members are excellent role-models for children. They provide good support and guidance and encourage positive social skills and behaviour. The children have positive day-to-day experiences at the home. They live in a friendly, warm and well-presented home. Shared mealtimes provide a family environment and a natural way of nurturing children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are making good progress in different areas of their development, particularly in respect of reduced risk-taking. Three of the children have moved into the home since the last inspection and have settled well. The manager gives thorough scrutiny to new referrals, considering the needs of individual children and the potential impact on each of them from group living. The careful deliberation and robust care planning help to reduce any negative impact. As a result, the children all live harmoniously together.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children develop positive relationships with staff who use a therapeutic model of parenting. This gives the children stability through learning how to grow trusting and meaningful bonds with their peers and carers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are mixed results in respect of education progress, with one child making exceptional progress at school; this is supported by the high level of stability at the home. Another is undertaking home tuition during the holidays to help improve his learning outcomes. However, although all children have some form of education, some children have been waiting many months for a full-time education provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide experiential learning and the children have many opportunities to participate in a range of activities that support existing interests or provide new ones. One child has a horse that she cares for. Staff take children on holidays which are linked to their interests or culture; for example, one child is going to the Notting Hill Carnival.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The children are safeguarded by staff who have a good understanding of their risks and vulnerabilities. The individualised risk assessments provide staff with clear instructions on how to lessen those risks and manage any negative behaviour. The children said that the staff help them to feel safe and talk to them about how to stay safe. This contributes to children developing trusting relationships with staff and consequently they are able to talk to staff about any issues or problems. Staff ensure that children have access to the right support in response to their concerns and disclosures.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The children do not self-harm and there are no issues with alcohol misuse. Staff provide children with information to educate them about the risks associated with substance misuse and ensure that children have access to external agencies for additional support. Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 4 Although the children are at low risk of sexual and/or criminal exploitation, the staff would benefit from receiving training about county lines to give them a greater understanding of this issue. Instances where children go missing from home are low and when a child is not back home at the agreed time, staff follow the correct procedures and contact the child by phone, look for the child and work closely with the police. Return to home interviews take place, so the reasons for missing episodes are well recorded and understood.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There is secure monitoring around children’s internet use based on the children’s individual vulnerability. The home uses bespoke technology to track and restrict access to unsafe sites.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Positive behaviour is promoted in the home. The staff team uses a therapeutic parenting model and they meet regularly with an external clinician to reflect on their own responses to the children. The children receive positive rewards and incentives and negative behaviour is addressed without the need for sanctions. This is proving successful and children enjoy looking after the garden or helping with DIY. There has only been one occasion since the last inspection when a very low-level hold was used to keep a child safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are highly effective, well respected and valued. The manager is committed and passionate about the care given to children and the development of the home. External feedback is positive, with one professional saying, ‘Stockton Road is an outstanding home.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff work effectively with other professionals to ensure that the children receive the best possible care. The manager advocates strongly for children, for example in challenging placing authorities about education and therapy. However, this has been ineffective and children are still waiting for services.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff have an excellent knowledge of the children’s stories, risks and vulnerabilities and how to meet their needs. Staff have high expectations and aspirations for the children. There is a stable, long-standing staff team that provides children with stability and consistent care. Children and young people that have left the home remain in contact with staff. They receive ongoing emotional and practical support that helps them to prepare for adulthood and independence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is influential in creating a culture of reflection and development. Staff feel supported and benefit from the regular training, supervision and team meetings. This promotes their personal and professional development. Appraisals take place regularly and the manager includes feedback from the children. Children are also involved in the recruitment of new staff and their views are valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a strong focus on improving the quality of care and outcomes for children. This Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 5 involves regular consultation with children and other professionals. The registered manager has an excellent understanding of the strengths of the home and areas for development. The requirements have been met from the last inspection.

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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.

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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 (c)) In particular, for the registered manager to escalate any concerns in relation to the children’s education and therapy to the relevant senior management team. 27/09/2019

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Recommendations

 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. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.14) In particular, for staff to receive training related to county lines.

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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. Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 6 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

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Information about this inspection

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: SC472417 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider : Hartlepool Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Victoria Road, Hartlepool, Durham TS24 8AY

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Danielle Swainston

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Inspectors

Deb Duffy, social care inspector Tina Ruffles, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 8 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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