Children's home run by Middlesbrough Borough Council

Inspection report children’s home: SC033840 1 SC033840 Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This short-break service is run by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to nine children and young people who have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. The suitably qualified and experienced manager is registered with Ofsted.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 29 January 2019

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC033840 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/01/2019 Full Outstanding 20/02/2018 Full Outstanding 16/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/08/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC033840 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people enjoy their stays at this short-break setting. Most attend for many years, only leaving when they move to adult provision. Many children and young people refer to this setting as their second home. They develop very good relationships with members of staff and respond well to the care they receive. Children and young people look forward to their short breaks and this reassures their family members.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people make progress when they attend this short-break setting, and they are encouraged to practice new skills. Progress is measured and reviewed, so changes to care plans can be made if required. This means that children and young people become more independent and their self-care skills improve. For some children and young people, this increases their sense of self- worth.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Members of staff communicate well with children and young people. The staff learn formal methods of communication, such as British sign language and Makaton. Staff understand the gestures and body language of children and young people and therefore become skilled at knowing their needs and wishes. This helps to make the children and young people’s stay an enjoyable experience.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people make friends when they attend this short-break service. They get to know other children and young people well because of the long- standing stability of their short breaks. As a result, children and young people develop their social skills. They are less isolated than they would be if they did not attend the service.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people have individualised introductions to this short-break setting. They visit the service as often as necessary before their short breaks begin. Members of staff meet with family members to understand their hopes and any concerns. Children and young people rarely want to leave this setting as they approach adulthood. However, members of staff prepare them well to move on to their next provision. This helps children and young people to cope well with transitions from the service.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family members are very positive about the short-break service. They know the quality of care provided to their children is good. Many families say this setting is integral to their day-to-day lives. They can spend time with other family members or complete household tasks, knowing their children are safe and well looked after. Many family members feel less isolated because of the support offered by this service.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

On one occasion, paperwork for two children and young people became mixed up. This was because key documentation did not differentiate between them. Although Inspection report children’s home: SC033840 4 there was no actual or risk of harm because of this, care plans and outcomes must be individualised to help children and young people reach their potential.

p.3

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

Children and young people state that they feel safe in this short-break setting. High levels of supervision mean that children and young people do not go missing from the home. Members of staff prepare clear, individualised risk assessments for children and young people, which all staff follow. Children and young people are better protected from the risk of harm during their short breaks because of this individualised approach.

p.4

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

Members of staff talk to children and young people about risk and tailor the work they do according to the needs of children and young people. As a result, children and young people learn how to keep themselves safe, including when they are in the community. As well as the safeguarding benefits, children and young people’s confidence and self-belief improve because of this work.

p.4

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

The physical environment of the setting is clean and safe. New fire doors have been installed, which has improved the safety of the building. All children and young people have personal evacuation plans. Members of staff carry out regular fire drills and other checks. This ensures that all children and young people would be safe in the event of a fire. This is extremely reassuring to their parents and carers.

p.4

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

Behaviour management is effective, including the use of de-escalation strategies. Detailed support plans result in a consistent approach from members of staff. Staff help parents to manage their children’s behaviour effectively at home by sharing these strategies. Some children and young people learn to manage their own behaviour because of the care they receive while at the service.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

This service is led by a registered manager who is passionate about the children and young people. The short-break service continues to perform well under her leadership. Feedback from members of the professional network is entirely positive. Requests for more places to be made available are regularly received.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager understands the progress that children and young people make. She develops new ways to encourage their participation. For example, care plans, review documents and help sheets are available in formats that children and young people understand. The day-to-day experiences of children and young people are enhanced because of the registered manager’s approach.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Members of staff are supported by the manager to perform their roles well. They receive regular, reflective supervision from those qualified to provide it. Poor practice is challenged effectively. New members of staff are helped to develop, through effective induction processes. Children and young people are cared for by members of staff who are invested in the setting. Inspection report children’s home: SC033840 5 Members of staff undertake a wide range of effective training to improve their knowledge and skills. This means that children and young people are cared for by staff who know how to meet their needs. Staff value the approach of the wider organisation to their development. They perform consistently well, often remaining at the setting for many years.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers develop good relationships with members of the professional network. Experts from health settings visit the service to update the staff team about pertinent medical issues. Senior staff work closely with teachers to share knowledge about the children and young people. This ensures consistent levels of care across both services. Therefore, children and young people receive a coordinated service from health, education and social care professionals.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has well-established review and monitoring arrangements. Her oversight of incidents and risk assessments is good. However, there were several shortfalls identified. The registered manager accepts that the review and monitoring arrangements have fallen short of what she expects of herself. She is committed to making improvements.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager understands the importance of children and young people’s views. She expects members of staff to prioritise gathering their wishes and feelings. She emphasises that communication difficulties are no barrier to this aspect of their role. As a result, children and young people are included in all decision- making. This is essential for their development and progress into independence. Inspection report children’s home: SC033840 6

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1) and (2)(iv)) In particular, care plans must be individualised for every child or young person attending the service. 30/04/2020

p.6

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. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on— research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(2)(g)(i)(h)) 30/04/2020

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC033840 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Middlesbrough House, 50 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RH

p.7

Inspector

Jane Titley: Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC033840 8 to 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.7

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8