Children's Home run by Hartlepool Borough Council in Hartlepool

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2490894 1

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Hartlepool Borough Council

Monitoring visit 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 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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This monitoring visit

The children’s home was judged declined in effectiveness on 25 February 2020. Following this inspection, a case review was held and it was agreed that three compliance notices should be issued under regulation 12, 13 and 40. Notices were issued to the provider on 4 March 2020.

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This monitoring visit

The inspection activity was undertaken to assess the provider’s response to actions set in the compliance notices. Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, a risk assessment determined that the inspection activity should be carried out off site via telephone on 14 April 2020.

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This monitoring visit

During the telephone conversation, the deputy manager and responsible individual provided verbal and written information to the inspector.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted has reviewed the evidence and found that the provider has taken effective action in response to the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

The risk assessments have been reviewed and focus on identifying strategies that are effective in helping to protect the children and young people. Staff are getting to know more about who the young people spend time with. Additional technology has been installed in the home to help keep children and young people safe while they enjoy time online. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2490894 2 The provider has ensured that staff received training in safeguarding matters which affect children and young people, specifically criminal and sexual exploitation. The provider has a plan to provide staff with training on attachment and the effects of trauma for children and young people. The provider stated that they will review the training needs of the registered manager and agree a plan to develop her skills and knowledge.

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This monitoring visit

The children and young people are offered regular key-worker sessions that take into consideration what is most important to them. Staff are developing their skills and knowledge to provide key-worker sessions that are effective and make a difference to the children and young people.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has increased managerial support for the home by appointing a deputy manager with appropriate experience of caring for children and young people in a residential home. The deputy manager stated that she is ambitious and wants children and young people to achieve good outcomes.

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This monitoring visit

Increased managerial oversight has improved the frequency of supervision to staff and they have all had an appraisal. The deputy manager is forward thinking and is working with the registered manager to introduce new systems to monitor the quality of care. However, roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined. This means that if the registered manager is working off site there may be further shortfalls in the management oversight of the care provided to children and young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/02/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness 17/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2490894 3

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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 registered manager must undertake such continuing professional development as is necessary to ensure that the registered manager has the skills needed for managing the home. (Regulation 29 (4)) In particular, training in safeguarding children. 29/06/2020

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). The plan should detail the necessary management and staffing structure, in particular roles and responsibilities for staff in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 is currently posing to those we regulate. During this visit, the inspector took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of Coronavirus by the home. This has included the effect these have had on staffing.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2490894 4

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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 for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2490894 5 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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