Children's home run by Hartlepool Borough Council in Hartlepool

Inspection report for children’s home: SC030967 1 SC030967 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 short breaks and two longer-term residential placements for children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living in the home at the time of inspection and four children were staying at the home for short breaks.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC030967 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/06/2021 Full Outstanding 30/07/2019 Full Outstanding 06/11/2018 Full Outstanding 11/09/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC030967 3

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outstanding

Children thrive at this home, whether they live here or enjoy short breaks. Children are exceptionally well cared for by a dedicated and committed staff team. Their individual needs, risks and vulnerabilities are well known by all of the staff and well documented in their case files and records. The considerable progress they make from their starting points is outstanding.

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outstanding

The staff are creative and adapt their practice to meet each child’s individual needs. Practice in the home is based on a total-communication approach, worthy of wider dissemination. Children have personalised communication passports, and communication packs to support them. This approach helps children to develop their verbal and non-verbal communication skills. One child has made considerable progress with their communication and is now using their words. This has been life-changing for them.

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outstanding

Children share meaningful and trusting relationships with all staff and enjoy spending time with them. Children enjoy the care and affection shown to them by staff and instinctively seek out intensive interaction and cuddles from staff. The strong and unconditional relationships children have with staff allow them to feel accepted, build on their self-esteem and enjoy their time at the home.

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outstanding

Children are provided with a wide range of opportunities to make friends and to be part of fun activities. Staff are skilled in using the resources of the home and wider community to provide positive experiences. Children have opportunities that may not have been possible for them without the service. One parent said, ‘[Child’s name] is doing things I never thought would be possible, it is out of this world. They have friends here and can experience having sleepovers with friends, like other children of similar age would.’

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outstanding

Children’s introductions are carefully planned and carried out at the child’s pace. The manager consults with the child’s family and the relevant professionals to gather all the necessary information to prepare for the child’s stay. The children are allocated a key member of staff, who supports the child with their introductions to the home. This helps to reduce the children’s worries about being away from their family home.

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outstanding

The home’s environment is impressive; it is completely child-friendly and welcoming. The home is maintained to an excellent standard. Children’s artwork is on display throughout the home, creating a colourful and child-friendly environment. The staff meticulously prepare for each child’s stay by ensuring that each child’s bedroom is welcoming and personalised with soft furnishings and their individual comforts. This helps the children to feel comfortable and enjoy their stay. Inspection report for children’s home: SC030967 4 Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Staff encourage children to keep active, to learn and understand how to manage their self-care and to eat healthily. Children enjoy plenty of healthy and nutritious meals provided by the home’s cook, who is an integral part of the care team. One professional said, ‘The cook is wonderful, there is always a warm, nurturing feeling in the home, with home-

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outstanding

cooked food on offer for the children. It doesn’t feel like a children’s home. It’s just like a family home.’

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outstanding

Children’s educational achievements are admirable. Staff are fully involved in supporting children’s educational achievements. Staff regularly spend time with children reading and keeping their minds stimulated with key-work sessions. One professional said, ‘[Child’s name] attendance at education has improved significantly. They could not attend school because they were so anxious, and now they are attending every day. The staff have been consistent and [child’s name] has come on leaps and bounds.’

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outstanding

The proactive communication with parents, carers and professionals prior, during and after short-break stays contributes to children feeling safe and secure. Staff commitment to children and their outcomes is evident.

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outstanding

The staff have a wealth of knowledge essential to the provision of high-quality care for children with complex needs. Risk assessments and behaviour engagement plans enable staff to understand each child’s strengths, risks and vulnerabilities. Children, therefore, feel safe and protected.

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outstanding

The introduction of shift planners evidences the highly effective planning of the day-to-day arrangements for children. High staffing levels and close, supportive supervision help children to explore their environment safely. Children enjoy play and social time with their friends, free from environmental risks.

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outstanding

Children do not go missing from the home. They do not experience bullying, and physical intervention is only used as a last resort. Its use is closely monitored to ensure that it is safely practised. Staff are skilled in de-escalation techniques and using language that is therapeutic and nurturing. Children respond well to this approach and feel calmer. Consequently, incidents of children becoming anxious, frustrated and displaying self-harm behaviours significantly reduce.

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outstanding

Recruitment practice is strong and effective, and ensures that all staff are appropriately checked and vetted prior to looking after children. This helps to ensure that children are not exposed to adults that may harm them.

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outstanding

Staff have taken relevant online course with the Open University to further understand the potential benefits and limitations of technology and the impact on children. As a result, staff are confident and well equipped to support Inspection report for children’s home: SC030967 5 children to stay safe online. Children in the home are encouraged to use technology safely and appropriately so that they do not miss out on opportunities. Staff educate children about potential risks while online and how to respond. Some children have discovered new ways to share their views, wishes and feelings, which is making an exceptional difference to their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led and managed by an inspirational and dedicated manager who holds high aspirations for all of the children. The manager is supported by a very capable deputy manager and a diverse, stable staff team. The staff share the manager’s enthusiasm and ambitions for changing the lives of children. This ethos enables the children to flourish at this home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff morale is high. Staff are completely invested in the home’s approach to care, and support children to build resilience, enjoy learning and feel valued. Although they are professionals, staff take immense pride in children’s progress and achievements and treat children with positive unconditional regard. One staff member said, ‘It is amazing to work here. Seeing the children blossoming and growing in confidence is extremely rewarding.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There have been minimal changes to the staff team since the last inspection, which is testament to the support, training and guidance that staff receive. This provides familiarity for the children and continuity of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings go beyond talking about the business of the day. The manager will disseminate learning from research, and will have topical discussions with her staff team on a range of relevant subjects. Staff describe their manager as ‘amazing’ and say that she will always take time out of her schedule to listen to and advise them. These attributes promote a well-balanced and skilled workforce and benefit the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from professionals is consistently excellent and highlights the positive difference that staying in this home makes for children. One professional said, ‘We are so proud to have [name of home] in our town. The town is proud to have this outstanding resource for our children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular, purposeful supervision, which is underpinned by the therapeutic model used in the home. Staff feel that the process is empowering and supportive and that their health and well-being are valued. Staff said that they can reflect on their practice. The manager promotes continuous professional development to inform practice and improve the lives of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager ensures that new staff receive an induction and training programme that is relevant to the individual needs of the children. Staff say they instantly feel empowered and undertake the role of champion with specific areas of focus. One staff member delivers ASDAN, and children who stay at the home Inspection report for children’s home: SC030967 6 are provided with opportunities to achieve accredited awards. As a result, children become physically, emotionally and socially healthier.

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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: SC030967 7

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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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Inspector

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC030967 8 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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