Children's Home run by Derby City Council in Derby

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036240 1 SC036240

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Derby City Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to six children and young people who need support with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2019.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) 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 COVID-19 by the home. Monitoring of this home was carried out remotely.

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This monitoring visit

The home was last visited by Ofsted for a full inspection in September 2019 and it was judged as Good.

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This monitoring visit

An assurance visit was carried out on 30 September 2020. While Ofsted did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit, there were some shortfalls in practice.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out following concerns from more recent notifications of serious events. There were also concerns about the delay in Ofsted receiving independent visitor reports. Children and staff were seen and spoken with by using video calls. A tour of the building was also completed virtually through the same technology.

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This monitoring visit

The staff team has responded positively to the challenges it has faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff said that they receive positive support from managers and added that there is good communication regarding safe-care practices. A staff member said: ‘At times, coming to work has taken the focus away from the pandemic and the children and staff have had fun together’. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036240 2 Staff are working creatively to enable children to have access to support services. For one child, this has resulted in them being fully engaged in services. This support is having a positive impact on the child.

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This monitoring visit

Staff know the children well and they fully understand actual and potential risks. There is a high degree of professional curiosity underpinning the staff’s commitment to keeping children safe. Staff continue to develop trusted relationships with children. Having trusted adults in place helps the children to address the risks and concerns which are often associated with their past experiences.

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This monitoring visit

Children have good relationships with staff, and this helps them to feel safe. One child said: ‘I feel 100% safe here. My keyworker has done everything for me’.

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This monitoring visit

Children have been supported to maintain their educational arrangements throughout the pandemic. Children have benefitted from good partnership, working between the care staff team and other agencies. Staff advocate well for children to access services when they need them most.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have trust and confidence in the managers. Staff said that they feel confident about reporting matters of concern. They feel that when they do, they receive an appropriate response. Staff understand the lessons learned from previous shortfalls in practice. The team is stable, with very little turnover of staff. There has been good management oversight, communication and support to the staff.

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This monitoring visit

The independent visitor compiles a monthly report about the home but there is still some delay in Ofsted receiving these reports. The most recent reports were considered at the monitoring visit. They demonstrated an improving picture, with clear progress of management action plans and reduced risks to children.

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This monitoring visit

Feedback from other professionals confirmed that staff have maintained a focus on the safety and well-being of children. Professionals also reported good relationships between staff and children. One social worker said: ‘There is a pull for the child to return to the home [after going missing from the home] which is good’.

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This monitoring visit

The manager ensures that safeguarding processes are followed appropriately. There is good communication with other agencies. Where there have been any shortfalls in practice, managers take appropriate action to prevent further occurrence of this.

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This monitoring visit

Two requirements and one recommendation made at the previous assurance visit are met. A requirement has been reset in relation to the health and well-being standard. A recommendation is reset in relation to staff training. It is acknowledged that staff training has been impacted on by difficulties accessing specific training during the pandemic. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036240 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/04/2019 Full Good 01/05/2018 Full Outstanding 17/07/2017 Full Good 20/12/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that each child is registered as a patient with a general medical practitioner and a registered dental practitioner; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require.

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to bringing about change for children who use illegal substances. 12 May 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036240 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should support staff to be ambitious for every child in the home and enable them to gain the skills and experience that help them to actively support each child to achieve their potential. To ensure that staff can understand and can meet each child’s needs, in line with their responsibilities, the registered person themselves will need to have a high level of understanding of the needs of the children in their care. (‘Guide to Children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, Page 52, paragraph 10.5).

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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.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Derby City Council, Treasurers Department, Council House, Corporation Street, Derby DE1 2FE

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Inspector

Bev Allison, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036240 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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