Children's Home, Residential special school run by Sheffield City Council in Sheffield

Inspection report for children’s home: SC458115 1 SC458115 Registered provider: Sheffield City Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides care for up to 19 children with learning disabilities. The accommodation and service are divided into two remits, with one offering long-term care and the other operating as a short-breaks provision.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2017.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were six children living at the home and no children experiencing short breaks.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 22 February 2022

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC458115 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/02/2022 Full Good 29/01/2020 Full Good 30/01/2019 Full Good 10/10/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC458115 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have trusting relationships with the adults who care for them. They experience an increased sense of safety living at this home and make progress individual to their ability. For example, there has been a reduction in the children’s anxiety-related behaviours, and an improved ability to socialise with others. One parent said, ‘[Name of child] is much calmer and happier now.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children benefit from fun activities and new experiences. The children’s voice influences the experiences they have. Staff understand their communication needs and, through regular conversations, capture the children’s voice in their records. During the summer period, children had a fun-filled holiday by the seaside. They also enjoyed going to their local swimming pool, theme parks, and eating out at their favourite restaurants.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Families highly value the care provided to their children and recognise the impact staff have on their children’s lives. One family member said, ‘When [name of child] gets upset, staff find different ways to sooth her.’ A parent said, ‘Staff let me know if something is not ok. Their communication is great. [Name of child] is going out more, and she is much less distressed.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most of the children’s bedrooms have been relocated to the ground floor, making the outside of the home more accessible. This has had a positive impact on the children’s daily routine, because they have more autonomy to access the outdoor play facilities. For one child, there has been a notable reduction in behavioural incidents because of the increased accessibility to the outdoor space.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use social stories to improve the children’s understanding about the matters that affect them the most, such as changes to their daily routine. Staff also use social stories to celebrate the children’s achievements and help children to have a better understanding of boundaries. This reduces the likelihood of children experiencing anxiety when staff offer them direction.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children’s structured morning routine helps them to prepare for their day ahead at school. As a result, children have high levels of school attendance. Staff have open lines of communication with teachers at each of the children’s schools and colleges. When concerns arose about the suitability of a college in respect of a child’s learning needs, staff explored the barriers to the child’s education with the college staff. This helped to ensure that the most appropriate learning environment was created for the child.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a shared understanding about the children’s needs and recognise the importance of advocacy for the children. A child’s social worker said, ‘They have been really strong advocates for [name of child] as he can’t say if something is not ok.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC458115 4 Children experience a well-thought-out transition plan when they move to this home and when they prepare to leave. The manager arranged for detailed handovers, and for children to have the new staff involved in their care at this home prior to any move. The blending of current and new staff enabled children to start forming new relationships and build trust as they move towards their new homes.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are prioritised. Staff have good communication with health professionals and understand the support children require.

p.4

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

The secure relationships children have with staff help them to feel safe. The children’s sense of safety is represented by a reduction in anxiety-related behaviours, and an increased ability to cope with the demands of group living.

p.4

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

The management team has a strong oversight of behavioural incidents and other incidents of concern that affect children. They work in partnership with the child and adolescent mental health service to agree on the strategies that guide staff’s care practice. This working partnership helps to ensure that the children’s behaviour support plans are aligned to their developing needs.

p.4

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

The use of restraint practice is rare. When incidents have occurred, staff have used physical intervention to keep children safe by guiding them away from dangerous situations. The style and clarity of the incident records enable the managers to evaluate that staff’s practice is reasonable, proportionate and effective.

p.4

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

The children’s risk assessments provide staff with the direction and strategies needed to reduce the risk of harm for children. There are clear thresholds for when staff should escalate their response should a child be in an unsafe situation. This helps to protect children from harm more effectively.

p.4

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

Staff take a balanced approach when supporting children to understand the risks associated with online safety and forming new relationships with unknown people. Staff regularly speak with children to help them recognise what might be an ‘unsafe’ situation. The trust children have with staff allows them to discuss their worries and seek advice and guidance as they develop their awareness of how to keep safe.

p.4

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

There are inconsistencies in the recruitment checks completed for agency workers. For example, Disclosing and Barring Service (DBS) checks and employment references are not always seen by managers, and the level of experience of agency staff has not always been known prior to them working at the home.

p.4

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

The children’s personal evacuation plans direct staff on how to assist children to leave the building in the event of a fire. However, there was a delay in staff completing a fire drill with a child when they were admitted to the home. This lack of action could result in children being unsafe in the event of an actual fire. Inspection report for children’s home: SC458115 5

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team is supportive to staff and is focused on helping them to succeed in their roles. The manager and the deputies provide coordinated leadership to the staff team to help it deliver consistent and effective care to the children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they feel well supported and recognise the guidance and direction provided by managers. For some staff, this has helped to improve their morale and their experience of being in work. One staff member said, ‘I can talk to them about anything.’

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

When staff performance is not at the required standard, managers take appropriate action to explore why and arrange for support to be offered to the relevant individuals. Managers are clear about the expectations they have of their staff team and are driving forward the development of the service.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is an ongoing programme of recruitment of the workforce as managers continue to rebuild the team to provide stability for the children. The recruitment of new workers is helping to boost the morale of the staff team.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The children’s plans provide staff with accurate information about the children’s care needs. The style and clarity of the children’s records mean that the children have an increased understanding about their time living in the home. Staff also take an abundance of lovely photos to enhance the children’s ability to reflect and look back at their enjoyable experiences.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a delay in notifying the local authority designated officer when concerns were raised about a staff member’s practice. The delay did not allow for timely consideration about the staff member’s suitability to remain in work caring for children. However, the manager explored the concerns fully with the staff member to agree on supervision needs for the staff member whilst at work.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are gaps in timeliness of staff’s practice-related supervisions and inconsistencies in the annual review of their performance. This does not help staff to consider how they can improve their practice and may limit their development.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Consultations with children, families and relevant professionals as part of the quality of care review are limited and do not support the manager’s evaluation about how to develop the service. Inspection report for children’s home: SC458115 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the local authority designated officer is contacted without delay when concerns are raised about a staff member’s practice. 22 January 2023

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.6

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

p.6

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

p.6

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.6

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.6

Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform; 22 January 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC458115 7 the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that they have in place a system to check and verify the experience, training and other relevant checks, such as DBS and references of agency staff members, prior to them working at the home. The registered person must ensure they evaluate whether staff have the skills and experience needed for the role.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.7

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(c)) 22 January 2023

p.7

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the quality of care review includes the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff, and consider how this supports the development of the service. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64 and 65, paragraph 15.2 and 15.3)  The registered person should ensure that children receive a fire evacuation drill at the earliest opportunity after they move into the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

p.7

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: SC458115 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sheffield City Council

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH

p.8

Inspector

Aaron Mcloughlin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC458115 9 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.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9