Norwich Road (15)

Inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 1 SC034480 Registered provider: Norfolk County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority runs this specialist home for up to six children who may be experiencing social and emotional difficulties, often as a result of childhood trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2021.

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Inspection date: 22 February 2022

Date of last inspection: 23 November 2021

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Inspection date: 22 February 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 22 February 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met five out of the six requirements and the one recommendation that were raised at the last inspection. As a result, staff have a better understanding of the children’s needs, which has improved the quality of care that the children receive. One requirement, in respect of the maintenance and decor at the home, is restated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children were living at the home at the time of this inspection. One child moved into the home in December 2021 and has since moved on from the home. The child’s move on was well planned and managed, which led to the positive outcome of him living with his parent.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments have relevant information to provide staff with clear strategies to meet the children’s needs. The manager works closely with the home’s police liaison officer to identify risks. Communication with the police and other professionals is central to the home’s approach, and staff do this well. As a result, the children’s safety is better managed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Social workers say that they are pleased with the care that the children receive and the progress that they make. This progress includes improvement in their emotional well-being, education and children taking part in developing their plans. The children’s relationships with staff have improved. Consequently, children are becoming more able to talk to staff and more likely to respond to them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have not been any incidents of bullying or restraints at the home and there have been no complaints since the last inspection. Incidents of going missing from the home have decreased for one child. However, there has not been a decrease in the frequency of incidents for the other child. Staff work closely with relevant professionals, such as the police liaison officer and the local police, to improve their understanding of risk. This includes information about individuals who could pose a risk to the child when he is missing from home. Staff identify risks by monitoring who the child is meeting with. Positive relationships between the child and staff have resulted in regular communication with the child when he is missing from the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support the children to attend health appointments. For example, one child has been encouraged to speak with a psychologist for the first time. Staff work with children to help them to understand the dangers of smoking tobacco and cannabis. This has resulted in the children understanding the risks of substance misuse. Despite this, remnants of tobacco and cannabis were seen in a child’s bedroom. Inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 3 Staff updated the risk assessment and the information was recorded on the police intelligence system. This informed safety planning for the child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child, who had not been in education for a significant period, is now accessing some education. The education plan for the other child is progressing. However, it has been agreed by staff and relevant professionals that before education can be effective, ongoing support from the psychologist and the GP is necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have improved their systems to ensure that they have good oversight of the quality of the care that children receive. Staff have regular supervisions and team meetings. They benefit from the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the children’s needs as this supports them to develop their practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has been proactive in identifying staff’s learning needs and providing them with training, such as understanding and managing exploitation and gang culture. This has resulted in staff developing their knowledge to better identify and manage the risks that children face.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager now notifies Ofsted of significant incidents, in line with the regulatory requirements. This improves Ofsted’s oversight of how incidents are managed at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements have been made to the upkeep and standard of hygiene in children’s bedrooms. However, there was evidence of scorching on a window restrictor and another window restrictor was broken. Although staff have no evidence to suggest that a child had left the home via the window, there is potential for a child to do so. Staff have failed to maintain the child’s room to a safe and suitable standard. Inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/01/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/06/2019 Full Good 16/10/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 5

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children’s bedrooms are maintained to a safe and good standard.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 9 March 2022

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Norfolk County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 2DH

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Inspector

Laraine Edmondson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC034480 7 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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