Children's Home run by Laska Care and Education Ltd in North Yorkshire

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children’s home which is registered to provide care for up to two children and young people.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered on 6 May 2020. The manager was also registered on this date.

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Information about this children’s home

One young person currently lives in this children’s home

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: not previously inspected

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: not previously inspected

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assurance visit report: 2567806 2

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

The young person experienced a well-planned move in to the home, and the welcoming manager and staff helped the young person to settle in quickly. Regular discussions take place about the COVID-19 pandemic to help educate the young person about social distancing and other protective measures. This helps to keep him, and others, better protected from developing any symptoms of the virus.

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The care of children

The staff get to know the young person and he has developed trusting relationships with them. This helps the young person to be open and honest with staff about issues affecting his life.

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The care of children

The young person’s confidence has grown as a result of regular discussions with external clinicians. Staff ensure that professionals involved with the young person have continued to visit the home during the pandemic. This provides ongoing emotional support and guidance for the young person.

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The care of children

During the COVID-19 lockdown, the young person enjoyed baking and cooking with staff. The staff also worked with the young person to develop independent living skills. The young person has tried new foods and recipes, which has resulted in him enjoying a healthier, well-balanced diet. As restrictions eased, staff helped the young person develop further skills, such as travelling independently by public transport to college. This helps to better prepare the young person for independent living.

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The care of children

The staff’s practical support, including providing transport and supervision, means that the young person has commenced visits to family. This helps him to maintain relationships with people who are important to him.

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The safety of children

The young person is supported by good staffing levels, which the manager increases when needed. This makes sure the young person has the necessary supervision and help. The staff know and understand the young person’s risks, and during their informal chats and structured key-working sessions, they educate him about how to keep safe.

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The safety of children

There have been no missing from home episodes and the young person is not known to be at risk of exploitation. The staff are resilient and work together to make sure there is a consistent approach when the young person struggles to regulate his emotions. However, the young person’s behaviour support plan lacks detail and has no input from the young person. This means the plan does not provide staff with the full range of strategies they could use to support him. Assurance visit report: 2567806 3 There have been some occasions when the young person has been held by staff to keep him and others safe. When this has occurred, the manager debriefs with staff to make sure their reactions and the strategies used result in a positive outcome for the young person.

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The safety of children

There have been two incidents of a serious nature, including one occasion when staff needed police intervention. These incidents were not notified to Ofsted, which prevents the regulator from having oversight.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is described as being child-focused, and professionals speak positively about her management of the home. One said: ‘Staff are well managed, organised and seem well supported by the manager.’

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Leaders and managers

The staff receive supervision and attend reflective team meetings. Staff particularly enjoy the informal discussions with the manager. They say this gives them confidence about their practice. The staff have access to training which continued through the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Leaders and managers

The manager and staff communicate effectively with external stakeholders and this provides a multi-disciplinary approach to the young person’s care.

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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, 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 person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; or there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e)) 01/12/2020

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Recommendation

Assurance visit report: 2567806 4  The policy should address general principles for behaviour management in children's homes which include: treating each child with understanding, dignity, kindness and respect; building, protecting and preserving positive relationships between each child and the adults caring for them; understanding each child's behaviour to allow their needs, aspirations, experiences and strengths to be recognised and their quality of life to be enhanced; involving children and relevant others wherever practical in behaviour management; supporting each child to balance safety from injury (harm) with making appropriate choices; making sure the child's rights are upheld. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.35). This is specifically in relation to developing more detailed and individualised behaviour support plans which include the young people’s views.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Laska Care And Education Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Euroway House, Roysdale Way, Bradford BD4 6SE, United Kingdom

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Inspector

Tina Ruffles, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2567806 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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