Children's home run by Hull City Council in Kingston upon Hull, City of

Inspection report children’s home: SC036157 1 SC036157 Registered provider: Kingston upon Hull City Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is run by a local authority. It provides care for up to eight children and/or young people with learning disabilities and/or sensory impairment. The suitably experienced and qualified manager registered with Ofsted in 2012.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC036157 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/08/2018 Full Outstanding 13/03/2018 Full Outstanding 13/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/12/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC036157 3

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outstanding

Children and young people make exceptional progress in this home. They grow and develop, including when their needs are complex and significant. Children and young people respond very well to the high-quality, nurturing care they receive from members of staff who know them very well.

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outstanding

Children and young people live in this home for a long time. Many enjoy a level of stability that has not been possible in previous placements. They receive consistent, skilled care over many years from members of staff with whom they have excellent, trusting relationships. As a result, children and young people flourish, are happy and become more confident in themselves.

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outstanding

Children and young people routinely provide their views about the care they receive. They know how to complain and are helped to do so when necessary. They meet regularly with independent advocates who know them well. This approach to eliciting their views is embedded throughout the home. Children and young people learn that they have a voice and a right to be heard. This is good for their self- esteem. The practice of ascertaining and responding to the views of children and young people is worthy of dissemination.

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outstanding

Some children and young people make remarkable progress with their health. For example, one child has a dramatically reduced rate of seizures since living in the home. Another child now accepts medication that they were previously reluctant to take. This progress is due to the efforts of the staff team, some of whom have used research and wider learning to inform their practice. The improved health of children and young people has enhanced their overall development.

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outstanding

Children and young people do extremely well with their education. Children whose school placements were at risk become settled and perform well. One young person played an active role in their successful application to a specialist college. Children and young people meet their educational potential because of the support they receive. This has a significant impact on their choices as young adults.

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outstanding

Children and young people improve their independence skills. Members of staff help them to work towards goals that make a difference to their day-to-day experiences. Children and young people feel a sense of pride in their achievements. As a result of the consistent support they receive from their carers, children and young people develop improved self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities.

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outstanding

Children and young people enjoy a wide variety of activities. Some have attended concerts of major recording artists. Others enjoy trips to nationally acclaimed experiences. Family members are delighted that their children have opportunities that were not always available to them at home. As a result of these activities, Inspection report children’s home: SC036157 4 children and young people have fun, build positive memories and their social skills improve.

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outstanding

Members of staff successfully safeguard children and young people. For some, their progress in this respect is remarkable. Members of staff use individualised risk assessments to ensure the correct levels of support and supervision. Children and young people accept the measures to keep them safe. This is because of the strength of the relationships that they have with their carers. As a result, children and young people do not come to harm in this home.

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outstanding

The approach to managing behaviour is excellent. Good routines and clear expectations underpin the care provided to children and young people. Members of staff are skilled at understanding individual styles of communication. This reduces the likelihood of children and young people becoming frustrated. As a result, behaviour is generally good. For some children and young people, the progress made has been exceptional.

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outstanding

When the behaviour of children and young people is more challenging, restraint is only used when necessary. Sanctions are restorative where possible. All measures of discipline are recorded accurately. The views of children and young people are clearly identified. Children and young people experience their carers as being confident and competent. This helps them to feel safe and to make progress.

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outstanding

Members of staff undertake valuable preventative work with children and young people. Recent examples include work on substance misuse and bullying. Interventions are successful. As a result of this input, improvements are also seen in other settings, including school and family visits.

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outstanding

There are no current issues with any forms of exploitation. Some members of staff have undertaken training on this issue. Children and young people will benefit if all their carers are equally knowledgeable. The registered manager accepts this and will arrange further training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is a passionate, committed leader. She has very high expectations for the children and young people and of the staff team. She combines high-quality leadership skills with an exceptional understanding of the children and young people. The registered manager is an excellent role model for her team. Children and young people live in a home where they are safe and make sustained progress, because of the example set by its manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager advocates strenuously on behalf of children and young people. She makes no apologies for acting as a good parent would and her diligence is successful. This means that when children and young people need additional services, the support is provided. As a result, children and young people remain Inspection report children’s home: SC036157 5 living in the home for a long time. Their progress is sustained and placement breakdown is very rare. Children and young people experience a high degree of stability and security in their home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has developed excellent relationships with members of the professional network. She is viewed as being a highly skilled and knowledgeable manager. She and her staff team are trusted by the wider network. Professionals respond positively to requests for support, because of the links she has made. This helps children and young people to make and sustain their progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager ensures highly effective transitions into the home. She makes decisions based on her knowledge of the current group of children and young people. She considers the skills of her staff team and talks to them about new referrals. Children and young people only move into the home when their needs can be met. The likelihood of them affecting the existing group of children and young people is minimised. The success of this approach adds significantly to the stability that children and young people enjoy in this home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager’s oversight of the home is excellent. Some aspects of her monitoring are noteworthy. For example, her evaluation of the views of children and young people could be used throughout the local authority. As a result, delay in planning for children and young people is minimal and members of staff perform consistently well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The approach to recruitment and induction of new staff is thorough and safe. All members of staff are qualified within the required period. Many have additional, relevant qualifications. Members of staff undertake a wide range of training to ensure that they have the skills they need. As a result, children and young people are looked after by carers who are very knowledgeable and provide care of the highest quality.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager encourages competent members of staff to apply for senior positions. This is part of her vision for the home’s development. Mentoring is provided to help this process. Many members of staff have worked in the home for a very long time. This adds to the overall stability of this home. Children and young people are growing up in the care of the same members of staff. Inspection report children’s home: SC036157 6

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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. 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)

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Recommendations

In particular, all members of staff to receive updated training on the issues of child criminal and child sexual exploitation.

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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: SC036157 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Kingston upon Hull City Council, The Guildhall, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull HU1 2AA

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Silvia Madrid-Ortega

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Inspector

Jane Titley: Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC036157 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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