Children's home run by Kingston upon Hull City Council

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2589771 1

p.1

Kingston upon Hull City Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated and managed by a local authority. It provides care and accommodation for two children who require care and support to deal with their emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home registered with Ofsted in April 2020.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Due to the restrictions in place relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus), this visit was carried out off site. The visit was to investigate potential breaches of regulations, following information being shared with Ofsted in notifications that may indicate a potential risk to children. The visit included review of documents, a virtual tour of the building and discussions with children, staff and relevant professionals.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Trusting and positive relationships have been established between the children and staff. The children respond well to planned daily routines and clear boundaries. This helps them to feel more secure, settled and safe.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children benefit from the high staffing levels. This makes certain that the children receive constant supervision, attention, support and care.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The delivery of consistent care provided by the nurturing and child-focused staff supports the children well, and they make progress. The children’s increased attendance at school ensures improved education achievements. The children benefit from seeing family members where restrictions allow, and this maintains important attachments. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2589771 2 Staff have made sure that the children have daily social and leisure activities. The children spend a lot of time playing games and going for walks. A child said, ‘The best thing about living here is being able to play. We play a lot; I like singing and dancing and putting on shows.’

p.1

This monitoring visit

There is a core of staff who have worked at the home since registration, and three new staff members have joined the team. The staff have a wealth of experience and related skills to care for children. Staff know the needs and vulnerabilities of the children well, and this helps to meet their individual needs. Over time, this has helped to equip the children to better regulate and manage their emotions. As a result, there has been a significant reduction in the number of incidents when children need to be held to keep them and others safe.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff have addressed several complaints made by neighbours when the home initially opened. There has been a strong focus on developing positive community relationships going forward. The children received a Christmas selection box from neighbours that demonstrates that good relationships are being fostered. However, outcomes of the complaints and the action taken are not recorded.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The home benefits from strong leadership. Staff receive regular formal supervision, and team meetings take place. Staff have undertaken relevant essential training. Therefore, the staff have the knowledge and skills to undertake their work. The robust communication systems and support assist children by providing consistently good care.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Professionals said that there is excellent partnership working. Relevant information is always shared to enable everyone to provide the best support and care to the children. A professional said about a child, ‘It is the happiest I’ve seen [name] in a long time.’

p.2

This monitoring visit

Overall, records are maintained to a high standard. However, an impact risk assessment did not cover, in detail, all the areas relevant in the consideration of an admission of a child to the home. The local authority had not adhered to the statement of purpose. A child was admitted in an emergency, when the statement of purpose stipulates that the home will only accept planned admissions. A child’s risk assessment was not updated to include the detail of a physical hold that may be used in a particular circumstance.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement Not previously inspected. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2589771 3

p.2

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered persons 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 persons must comply within the given timescales.

p.3

Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16 (5))

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to having only planned admissions to the home. 28 April 2021

p.3

Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome. (Regulation 39 (1) (3)) 28 April 2021

p.3

Recommendations

 The registered person must ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. In particular, impact risk assessments should contain all relevant information and detail all the considerations made to ensure that the needs of each child in placement can be met. Risk assessments should include all the holds that are used and deemed appropriate given the circumstances for their use. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.3

Information about this inspection

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

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2589771 4

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kingston upon Hull City Council

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Kingston upon Hull City Council, The Guildhall, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull HU1 2AA

p.4

Inspector

Debbie Foster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2589771 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.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5