Children's Home run by Vcare - 24 Limited in East Riding of Yorkshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2591501 1 Registered provider: Vcare – 24 Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in July 2020. There is a new manager in post, but they have yet to apply to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: declined in effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2591501 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/03/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness 09/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2591501 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is currently one child living in the home, and they are making good progress in all areas of their development. Staff show a high level of commitment and care towards the child. As a result, relationships between the staff and the child are positive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child said that they like living in the home and that they are excited about the pending redecoration of their bedroom. However, a repair to the child’s bedroom wall remains unfinished. This does not create a homely or welcoming environment for the child to relax in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work closely with the child’s school. This multi-agency attitude means that there is a consistent approach to supporting the child’s learning. This helps the child to understand how important education is. As a result, the child now has high aspirations for the next stage of their education and their employment opportunities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is fit and well and enjoys a balanced diet. Staff support the child to attend their routine health appointments when required. The child attends bespoke therapy sessions and is making good progress in this area. This means that the child has a network of professional support that provides a stable and secure basis for their development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child takes part in activities and hobbies in the home, such as cooking and baking, and they have recently sold home-made cakes to raise money for charity. The child enjoys going on activities with staff, such as going to the seaside and shopping trips. These activities help the child to develop their social skills and emotional resilience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the complexities of the relationship between the child and their family. They take a careful and considered approach to ensure that the time the child spends with their family is a safe and positive experience. Staff focus their support on helping the child to build resilience so that they can cope better during and after family visits.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff make sure that the child feels safe in the home and in the community. The child said, ‘I feel safe living here. It’s an environment that I need to be in.’ Stable relationships mean that the child is developing trust in the staff who care for them.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk assessments include all known risks to the child and provide clear actions for staff to follow to manage and reduce the risk of harm. However, the wording in one section of the risk assessment is inaccurate and is not a true reflection of the child’s presenting behaviour. This is confusing for staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591501 4 The location risk assessment is kept under review and includes known risks in the area, such as local pubs, bars and restaurants. However, this document does not include the potential dangers of these risks, such as night-time disturbances in the area. Furthermore, this risk assessment does not contain any feedback from the local police team or other community services.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff know the child well and can quickly spot changes in their mood. When the child’s mood dips, staff adapt their approach towards the child to keep them safe. As a result, incidents of self-harm are reducing in both frequency and severity.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child’s ability to cope during stressful times is improving. Staff work in line with the child’s behaviour plan and their practice is consistent. This reinforces boundaries and routines for the child. As a result, the child has not been physically restrained and has not been missing from the home since the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager is motivated and is building positive relationships with staff. Staff said that they recognise that the manager wants to make positive changes. The manager has a good understanding of the child’s needs and has quickly built a positive relationship with them. The child said, ‘I like the new manager. She listens to me.’ However, the manager has yet to apply to register with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses a range of internal monitoring systems to identify the strengths of the service and areas for improvement. These tools enable the manager to quickly address shortfalls that affect the child’s positive experiences and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from good support and continual encouragement from leaders and managers. This includes regular supervisions and team meetings that are reflective and support staff to review their practice. As a result, the manager is developing a learning culture in the home that supports the child’s development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff training is ongoing and all mandatory training is up to date. This helps staff to better understand behaviour and to identify signs that may indicate when children are at risk of harm. Staff are able to act on these signs to support and protect children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers challenge other professionals and agencies effectively when their actions fall short of expectations. This means that the child receives the help and support that they need. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591501 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 registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12 (2)(c) (the protection of children standard).

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Requirement Due date

When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1) (2)) 7 July 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered provider should ensure that the home is sufficiently maintained to provide children with a homely environment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered provider should ensure that staff record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2591501 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 10, Halifax Way, Pocklington Industrial Estate, Pocklington, York YO42 1NP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Simpson

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Inspectors

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector (lead) Aasia Hussain, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2591501 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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