Children's home run by Hartlepool Borough Council in Hartlepool

Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 1 SC472417 Registered provider: Hartlepool Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a local authority. It provides care for up to four children who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

There were four children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are widespread failures that mean children are not protected or their welfare is not promoted, and the care and experiences of children are poor.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/08/2021 Full Good 13/08/2019 Full Good 12/02/2019 Full Good 17/07/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 3

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread shortfalls in the leadership and management of the home and in the protection of children. Consequently, despite some progress for children, the shortfalls raised have led to an inadequate judgement.

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inadequate

The home has experienced considerable challenges and instability since the last inspection. There has been a change of registered manager and significant changes within the staff team as nine residential staff have left the home and ten members of staff are new starters. Two children moved into the home; one placement was short the manager and staff said that the home could not meet the specific needs of the child. There are currently four children living in the home.

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inadequate

The home does not provide children with a safe or welcoming place to live. While some parts of the home are homely, this standard is not consistent throughout. Furniture is broken or absent in bedrooms and needed repairs are not addressed. A child’s bedroom door has not been repaired, which makes it ineffective in case of a fire. This increases risks for children should an emergency arise. Staff do not consistently support the children to keep their bedrooms clean and tidy.

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inadequate

Children’s bedrooms are fitted with door alarms which are used to check the movement of children during the evening. However, this measure is not included in the children’s risk assessments and the necessary consents have not been obtained.

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inadequate

Staff are not consistent in their management of behaviour and engagement with children. For example, some staff will give a child a hug, as identified in their care plan, while others will refuse. Children are also experiencing inconsistent responses from staff in relation to the use of inappropriate language towards each other and staff.

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inadequate

Children told the inspectors that they were happy living at the home, and they have started to develop positive relationships with some of the new staff. Positive interactions between a staff member and a child were seen during the inspection.

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inadequate

Staff do not carry out restorative work consistently with children to help them to understand their behaviours and begin to manage these themselves. Repeated consequences are used to manage behaviour. However, these behaviours persist so their effectiveness is not taken into account. In addition, some consequences are punitive. A staff member told the inspector, ‘Children are fined £1 when they come into the office.’ The manager does not add an evaluation to the record of whether the consequences are proportionate and effective. Staff do not always record the rationale for the consequence or the children’s views. The independent person has raised this repeatedly through monthly reports and visits to the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 4 Staff support children to take part in enjoyable hobbies and activities to promote positive experiences. This includes trips to football games, theme parks and activities

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inadequate

such as fishing and martial arts. Children have varied experiences, which supports their confidence and emotional well-being.

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inadequate

The manager and staff team have worked with the headteacher of the virtual school and education professionals to develop education plans for children. Two children attend college after successfully sitting their GCSE exams, one child successfully gained their functional skills Staff encourage and support children to attend; however, some children still struggle to engage. This may stall some children’s attainment and progress.

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inadequate

Children spoken to said that they feel listened to. Children said that they feel comfortable talking to staff about their care and experiences. This helps staff to understand children’s views about their care.

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inadequate

The manager and staff have good relationships with the children’s families. They support regular visits and welcome family and friends to the home. They make sure that the children stay in touch with important people in their lives.

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inadequate

The staff continue to support children who move on in a planned way into independence. This provides children with an extended support network. One young adult who has left the home told inspectors, ‘I often call in. This is a safe space for me, they feed me and have helped me to survive when I had no money.’

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

Children’s risk assessments are not consistently good and they are not consistently completed, reviewed or updated in a timely way. One risk assessment was not available despite the independent person raising this during the most recent visit. Risk management minutes were unavailable to help staff to better protect children and there was no evidence of these being chased by management. Failure to include meaningful and up-to-date information in each child’s plans means that staff have little written guidance on how to meet the needs of children, to ensure that they are cared for safely and effectively.

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

Some risk assessments include information which is no longer relevant. Risk gradings are not proportionate or a true reflection of the level of risk as seen in other records, including online risks. This means that staff are referring to risk management plans that do not provide them with accurate information relating to the risk of harm to children.

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

There is no evidence to show that the staff team carries out direct work with the children in key areas of behaviour that have inherent risks. Staff do not consistently help children to understand how to keep themselves safe or educated about factors that place them at potential risk. Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 5 The recording of physical interventions is poor. Staff do not consistently complete records. As a result, the incidents do not have a quality evaluation of practice to ensure that the intervention is safe, proportionate and necessary.

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

An allegation that a child was harmed during an intervention was not responded to appropriately. The registered person did not take steps to determine whether staff’s actions were proportionate and if any further action is required. This has also been raised by the independent person.

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

The frequency of children going missing from the home has reduced. Staff understand the action they should take when a child goes missing from home, and they are proactive in trying to find and return children home. However, children do not have individualised and up-to-date protocols in place. As a result, actions taken by staff may not be appropriate to the needs of individual children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There are significant shortfalls with the leadership and management of the home. Since the last inspection, there have been three changes in the home’s management arrangements. The manager is now supported by an enthusiastic deputy manager who is newly appointed into the role. This should help to strengthen the management oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager does not have effective systems in place to ensure that staff work as a cohesive team. The statement of purpose states that staff follow an identified model of practice. However, staff do not use the model in their recordings or day-to-day practice. This oversight has the potential for children to receive inconsistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There have been occasions when the manager has delayed the reporting of serious incidents to Ofsted. Furthermore, one serious incident was not reported to Ofsted. This compromises the regulator’s ability to oversee safeguarding practice in the home in a timely way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers could not show evidence that staff have completed mandatory training and training specific to meeting the needs of the child. Three training matrixes were seen which showed significant and concerning gaps in staff training, including safeguarding children and first aid. This means that it is unclear whether staff understand children’s needs or have the skills to ensure that children are safeguarded from significant harm. Not all staff have received training in the model of care which supports the ethos of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

An independent person visits the home and makes recommendations to the provider. However, leaders and managers do not always respond promptly, and some recommendations are repeated. Furthermore, reports from the independent person are not always sent to Ofsted promptly. This means that Ofsted is unable to have sufficient oversight of the standards of care provided to children. Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 6 There is a comprehensive induction programme for staff. However, not all staff have completed their induction activities. This oversight hinders new staff from gaining the knowledge that they need to support the children, and from fully understanding the operational aspects of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff receive supervision regularly and report that they feel well supported. The provider offered all staff clinical and reflective debriefs following an unsettled period in the home. The uptake from staff was varied as not all staff were directly involved. The additional therapeutic support remains optional for staff to attend.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager shares information about children with other professionals, including social workers, police teams and the youth offending team. This communication means that all relevant agencies have access to essential information to support their decision-making. Professionals are positive about the support provided and this joined-up approach helps children to receive the right support to meet their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Following the inspection, a case review was held and four compliance notices were issued under section 22a of the Care Standards Act 2000. These relate to regulation 6 (the quality and purpose of care standard), regulation 11 (the positive relationships standard), regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). Ofsted will monitor the notices. Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 7

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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, the 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

*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;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (2)(b)(vii)(c)(i)) 1 January 2023

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Requirement Due date

*The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding; 1 January 2023 Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 8 understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to recognise incidents or indications of bullying and how to deal with them. (Regulation 11 (1)(b) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(ix)(xi)(xiii))

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Requirement Due date

*The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(b)(d)) 1 January 2023

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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— 1 January 2023 Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 9 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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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

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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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) (2)(a)(c)(e)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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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 children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home. (Regulation 14 (1) (2)(a)(b)(ii)) 9 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child. (Requirement 19 (1)) 30 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children; 9 December 2022 Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 10 the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

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Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance; and

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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the date, time and location of the use of the measure; a description of the measure and its duration;

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details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record 30 December 2022 Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 11 confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 30 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(e)) 9 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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 children’s home: SC472417 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hartlepool Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Victoria Road, Hartlepool TS24 8AY

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Inspectors

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Emma Ridley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC472417 13 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

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