Children's Home run by Hartlepool Borough Council in Hartlepool

Inspection report children’s home: 2490894 1 Registered provider: Hartlepool Borough Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by the local authority, and provides care and accommodation for up to two children and/or young people who may have emotional, behavioural and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified and was registered with Ofsted at this home in July 2019. She has extensive experience in managing short-break homes.

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Inspection date: 25 February 2020

Date of last inspection: 17 September 2019

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Inspection date: 25 February 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2490894 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people like living in the home and are valued as individuals. However, there are shortfalls in management and safeguarding practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and young people have personalised the rooms where they enjoy spending time. The home environment is warm and bright, with space where children and young people can share time together. They use the communal areas to eat meals, play music and watch TV. Children and young people have positive relationships with staff, who join in activities with them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people attend school. They enjoy participating in courses or out- of-school activities. Their success and achievements are celebrated. This means that they feel proud of themselves. Staff take photographs of important events, so the children and young people can look back and remember them. The children and young people receive help to understand their community. They take part in cultural theme evenings in the home where they can learn about other people and their ways of life. This means children and young people can learn how to get along with others and develop confidence in themselves.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When children and young people are involved in risk-taking behaviour, monitoring processes are ineffective. This means that staff may not be alert to signs that children and young people are being exploited. Also, consultations and key-worker sessions to address areas of concern are not regularly planned. This means children and young people are not supported effectively to become increasingly safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager’s understanding of safeguarding children and young people in this home is weak. The registered manager has insufficient knowledge and understanding of the potential risks that children and young people may be exposed to. This affects her ability to lead the staff team and meet the individual needs of children and young people, such as those who may be at risk of child sexual exploitation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has failed to use external monitoring systems effectively. The independent visitor recommended that the manager provide extra training for staff and ensure that all staff receive their annual appraisal. Despite this recommendation, the manager has not taken effective action. As a result, the opportunities to strengthen staff practice and the care of children and young people are missed. Inspection report children’s home: 2490894 3 The registered manager demonstrates a lack of understanding of when incidents involving children and young people should be reported to Ofsted. This prevents Ofsted from ensuring that all possible actions were taken to manage the situation appropriately and protect children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff help children and young people to visit their family and friends. They help them to celebrate significant events such as birthdays of family members. However, some staff do not demonstrate that they have all the relevant information about family time, for example how often it can take place. This means that children and young people may not be fully prepared for family time, which can affect their ability to engage in meetings that are important to them. This could result in relationships breaking down and children and young people experiencing further loss in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff state that they enjoy working in the home and can see progress in the children and young people because of the work they undertake. However, staff did not receive an induction when joining this home from another. This means they are less prepared to meet the individual needs of the children and young people in this home, and that children and young people receive inconsistent care. Inspection report children’s home: 2490894 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2490894 5

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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, 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.

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Requirement Due date

*The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(iii)) 12/04/2020

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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 registered person to—ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(h)) 12/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

*The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; 12/04/2020 Inspection report children’s home: 2490894 6 a child protection enquiry involving a child is instigated; or concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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

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: 2490894 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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Inspector

Catherine Heron, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2490894 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’ services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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