Children's home run by Hull City Council

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2598205 1

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Kingston upon Hull City Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home was registered in July 2020. It is a solo-bedded home run by the local authority, offering care for one child with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in July 2020

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This monitoring visit

Due to the restrictions in place relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this monitoring visit was carried out off site. The visit was to investigate potential breaches of regulations, following information being shared with Ofsted in notifications that indicated a potential risk of harm to children. The visit activities included the review of documents, a virtual tour of the building and discussions with children, staff, families and relevant professionals. This is the first inspection of this home.

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This monitoring visit

The child is cared for by a focused and enthusiastic staff team who have a good understanding of her vulnerabilities and needs. The child has good relationships with the staff team, who are all warm, nurturing and supportive of her. The child told the inspector that, ‘They [staff] put a lot of effort into me.’

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This monitoring visit

The manager and the staff have good working relationships with partner agencies. This means that when concerns arise about the child, information is shared with others and joint decisions are made to address the concerns. In addition, staff hold reflective team discussions to identify ways of supporting the child in the most effective way.

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This monitoring visit

Information about court-directed restrictions is clearly recorded on the child’s care plans, and staff follow these carefully. Staff help the child to understand why certain restrictions are in place. They also ensure that the child is able to take part in a Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2598205 2 variety of enjoyable activities, as this helps to reduce the potential impact of the restrictions. Staff support the child to regularly spend time with family, which helps to sustain important relationships. Partnership working with parents is also effective and this has helped to strengthen relationships and promote consistency for the child.

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This monitoring visit

Staff participate in regular training. This ensures that they are well equipped to meet the individual needs of the child placed at the home. However, there are some gaps. For example, not all staff have attended mental health and self-harm awareness training. This means that some staff are unclear about how to respond to specific risks, such as what to do if a child uses ligatures.

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This monitoring visit

Staff who are new to the home shadow colleagues on several occasions before they take an active role in caring for the child. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been staff absence due to illness and the need to self-isolate. However, the overall number of employees has increased. This has helped to ensure that the child is cared for by a consistent staff team who know her well.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have good oversight of the care the child receives. The manager ensures that staff can reflect on and fully debrief after incidents occur. These discussions have provided staff with an opportunity to learn and improve their skills and knowledge.

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This monitoring visit

The undertaking of room searches is an agreed risk-management strategy. When these take place, they are done sensitively in order to protect the child’s dignity. However, the records kept of each search do not have a comprehensive management oversight. This limits the manager’s opportunity to reduce risk by identifying gaps or patterns.

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Recent inspection history

N/A Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2598205 3

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Statutory requirement

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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(h)) 31 March 2021

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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: Kingston upon Hull City Council

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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

Responsible individual: Michele Colthup Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2598205 4 Registered manager: Charlene Martin

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Inspector

Rachel Ruth, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2598205 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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