Children's home run by Middlesbrough Borough Council

Inspection report for children’s home: SC033840 1 SC033840 Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned and managed by a local authority. It is registered to provide short breaks for up to nine children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The suitably qualified and experienced manager is registered 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

Date of last inspection: 11 January 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC033840 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/01/2022 Full Good 18/02/2020 Full Good 29/01/2019 Full Outstanding 20/02/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC033840 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children thoroughly enjoy their short breaks. They attend regularly and view the home as being a significant part of their regular routine. Many children have short breaks for several years and only leave when they reach adulthood. Children are growing up knowing that the home is a consistent part of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop strong relationships with staff, who they come to know very well. Staff work hard to get to know children when they begin to attend their short breaks. This means that children settle and begin to enjoy their experiences quickly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff communicate with children effectively. They learn children’s individual communication styles. This is helped by the strength of their relationships as well as targeted training. Their skills contribute to children’s enjoyment of their short breaks, as children can influence what activities they do. Children can also share any concerns with staff. This is invaluable for children’s sense of safety and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress during their short breaks. They become used to following expectations. Good bedtime routines mean that they are well-prepared for the following day. Children also learn different ways to express and cope with their emotions. Over time, parents see similar improvements at home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical health is fully supported during their short breaks. Children are encouraged to be active and to eat healthy meals. Staff talk to children about these and other well-being issues during individual and group discussions. Staff are meticulous about the arrangements for medication, including when health issues are complex. Errors rarely occur. This is very reassuring to parents and carers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children do a range of activities, both in and out of the home. These are enjoyable and help children to build positive memories. Children’s social relationships are also supported. For example, children have fun together on the outside play equipment. Children’s understanding of the wider world benefits from taking part in projects such as Jubilee and Remembrance Day events. These and other activities enrich children’s lives in a way that can be difficult for families to achieve at home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to become increasingly independent. Staff encourage all children to do as much for themselves as they can. For example, young children learn to wipe tables and take plates to the kitchen when this is possible. Some children learn to use the laundry facilities. These and other skills help children to prepare for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents and carers appreciate children’s short breaks immensely. Feedback is entirely positive. Parents and carers know that their children are safe, enjoy nice activities and are very well cared for during their short breaks. This time allows Inspection report for children’s home: SC033840 4 parents and carers to be with other family members or complete tasks for their household. This is invaluable to them and the children who attend the setting.

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

Children feel safe in the home. High levels of supervision from staff mean that children are not exposed to risk. For example, children do not go missing and are not exploited, as staff are always with them. This reassures children and their parents and carers.

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

Staff talk to children about issues that they might face away from the home. For example, staff talk to children about cyber-bullying and internet safety. This increases children’s knowledge and helps them to make safe decisions. For some children, this is an essential piece of work that contributes to their overall well- being.

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

Staff undertake training on a wide range of safeguarding issues. This includes the added vulnerabilities of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This means that staff know how to respond effectively if a concern arises.

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

Children’s behaviour is generally positive. Staff provide them with clear routines and boundaries. Children become familiar with what is expected of them and respond well. Staff rarely use consequences, preferring to talk to children about any difficulties that have occurred. This works well, and children become increasingly responsive over time.

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

Staff do not always clearly record their actions when incidents occur. In a small number of cases, written reports do not set out how staff have helped children to resolve their difficulties. This includes situations when physical intervention is necessary. This limits the manager’s oversight as well as the learning that all staff take from such events.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home continues to be led by a skilled and very experienced manager. She has an excellent understanding of what is happening in the home and is a visible presence for children and staff. The registered manager is aspirational for children and does not want processes in the home to stagnate. This means that children benefit from care and support that are meaningful and responsive to changes in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Many staff have worked in the home for a very long time. They have a wealth of experience. There is a relatively low rate of staff turnover, which helps children to feel settled in the care of people they know well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and senior leaders recognise recruitment challenges in children’s social care. A creative response to such difficulties has led to new staff being appointed. These staff bring energy to the home, and their experiences and Inspection report for children’s home: SC033840 5 knowledge are welcomed. As a result, the home continues to have enough skilled staff to meet the needs of all children attending for their short breaks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive the support that they need to perform well. Training is offered to staff as soon as they begin working in the home, and all staff complete the required qualifications. Supervision takes place regularly, and all staff receive an annual appraisal of their practice. This means that staff have every opportunity to develop the skills that they need to care for children well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager monitors all aspects of the home. She uses this information to make changes to improve the care provided to children. However, the oversight of written records has not identified some incorrect information. Although there has been no impact on children, this could cause some confusion.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has excellent relationships with other professionals. This means that when children need extra input, such as more support in school, the registered manager is well placed to help. This extends the value of the home beyond what children experience during their short breaks. Inspection report for children’s home: SC033840 6

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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

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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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration; and

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iv)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all incidents that include any use of force are recorded as physical interventions. 31 March 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children’s case records are kept up to date and are accurate. Managers should ensure that any gaps in information or errors are corrected. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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: SC033840 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Middlesbrough House, 50 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RH

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Inspectors

Jane Titley, Social Care Inspector Miriam Dolman, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC033840 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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