Aldine House Secure Centre

Inspection report children’s home: SC046524 1 SC046524 Registered provider: Sheffield City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This secure children’s home is operated by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict young people’s liberty. The home can accommodate up to 10 children or young people who are aged between 10 and 17 years.

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Information about this children’s home

It provides accommodation for up to five young people placed by the Youth Custody Service and for five young people accommodated under Section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who are placed by local authorities.

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Information about this children’s home

Admission of any young person under Section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who is under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 10 December 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC046524 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. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and young people make substantial progress, building on their emotional resilience, well-being, health, education and self-awareness. They engage extremely well with all staff, including the child and adolescent mental health team. This is due to the positive and strong relationships built between the staff, children and young people. A young person said, ‘I think the best thing about being here is there is always someone you can talk to and who will listen.’ Two young people were proud to announce their achievements in passing recent education exams in mathematics and English.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff demonstrate a deep understanding of the history and life experiences of the children and young people in their care. They recognise the positive qualities that the children and young people have and work with commitment to build on these. The practice of staff continues to improve the quality of care for children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been changes to the planning and delivery of enrichment and social activities since the last inspection. The children and young people benefit immensely from the recently delivered holiday enrichment activities, that had the theme of fashion week and first aid training. The children and young people embraced these opportunities to take part in the activities that they had suggested. From mood boards, designing a T-shirt, to walking the catwalk. A young person said, ‘The best thing has been fashion week. It was so much fun.’ From these activities the children and young people have gained AQA qualifications. In addition, there has been the development of a girls’ fitness group and the persistent commitment to the children and young people learning to play musical instruments. These include the violin and guitar. Consequently, the children and young people have gained new skills and experiences that have greatly built their confidence, self-esteem and personal

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection in December 2019, Ofsted made two requirements and six recommendations. Two recommendations will be checked at the next full inspection. These relate to a shortfall in the education provision and another in health resources.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has acted to address the two requirements and four remaining recommendations made. Restraint records now detail the manager’s response to the children’s feedback. The single separation events records detail the management oversight and the permission for single separation events to continue when required. Inspection report children’s home: SC046524 3 Residential care staff without the level 3 qualification are now registered and have commenced this qualification. The feedback and outcomes from the complaints and the children and young people’s suggestions at council and community meetings are recorded. The records held in the home capture the support provided for any victim of bullying or where inappropriate comments are made. Work has commenced to further enhance the homely environment provided to the children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Proactive transition planning starts at the commencement of placement. Mobility in preparation of leaving the home is carefully planned and takes place. There is close partnership working with other professionals, with regular review meetings to assist the children and young people to move on positively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Close oversight of safeguarding matters continues to be a strong focus of the leadership team. In addition, there are outside professionals involved to provide further independent scrutiny.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has comprehensive monitoring systems that evaluate the quality of care that the children and young people receive. However, shortfalls have been found in the quality of some sanction records. Inspection report children’s home: SC046524 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2019 Full Good 08/01/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/07/2018 Full Good 20/02/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC046524 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through observation and engagement with: each child; the home’s staff; each child’s family/carers where appropriate. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.23) In particular, support all children to make good or better progress in education by engaging with other specialists, for example speech and language specialists, to provide the specialist help that children need to overcome the barriers they have to participate well in education.  When making a decision about arranging care (as described in paragraph 3.29) for children in secure children’s homes, it is good practice for all the relevant people involved in the child’s healthcare commissioned through NHS England to be informed so that there is an integrated approach to health and well-being. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page

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Recommendations

19, paragraph 3.39) In addition to the current staffing profile, consideration should be given to provision of an occupational therapist to support children and staff in relation to regulation of emotions from a sensory processing perspective. The addition of an occupational therapist would offer support and expertise on how the environment of the home could provide opportunities for children and staff to maintain alertness through sensory, emotional and cognitive regulation on a day-to-day basis.  The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24) In particular, further improve the quality of the records of the sanctions.

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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: SC046524 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sheffield City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH

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Inspectors

Debbie Foster, Social Care Inspector Cathey Moriarty, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC046524 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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