Children's home run by Hartlepool Borough Council in Hartlepool

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472417 1 SC472417

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Hartlepool Borough Council

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 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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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted judged this children’s home as inadequate at the full inspection on 10 and 11 November 2022. Following the inadequate judgement, Ofsted issued four compliance notices under regulations 6, 11, 12 and 13 to address the concerns relating to the protection of children, and the widespread failings in the leadership and management arrangements of the home.

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Information about this children’s home

This visit was carried out to monitor the provider’s progress in meeting the compliance notices. The provider has taken sufficient action to meet all of the steps in the compliance notices.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has implemented effective communication systems that are used within the staff team. This helps to ensure that the staff are equipped with important information to help them to understand the children’s current needs and the day-to-day arrangements to prioritise the children’s safety and well-being.

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Information about this children’s home

The home conditions have vastly improved. Children’s bedrooms have been refurbished and decorated to meet the children’s individual needs. All communal areas have been redecorated and new furnishings purchased throughout. Staff spoken to say that they now have a clear vision of how the home should look and feel for children, and understand their role in continuing to maintain the high standards. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472417 2 Leaders have ensured that the repairs to the home have been carried out as a priority, and they have improved their communication with the maintenance team. This new way of working ensures that children live in a safe and welcoming environment.

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Information about this children’s home

A detailed review of the children’s care plans has been carried out. The children’s plans are individualised and easier for staff to read and follow. Children’s care goals are simple, and they are monitored by the staff. This progress helps the children to experience improved care.

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Information about this children’s home

Improvements have been made to the office and information technology equipment. As a result, staff are now visible in the home and available to the children. This helps the children to feel better supported. One child said, ‘I feel a lot safer now. The staff are around a lot more, which is good.’

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s relationships with one another have improved, with staff taking care to ensure that the children’s risks are better managed. As a result, there have been no incidents of bullying in the home since the last inspection, and the children have enjoyed positive experiences with one another.

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Information about this children’s home

Staff are reminded in team meetings about the importance of providing a consistent approach to the children. Consistency from the staff ensures that the children understand the routines and boundaries of the home and that they receive a clear message. This helps the children to form trusting relationships and feel safe.

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Information about this children’s home

Staff have attended the provider’s training, where they have explored the impact of adverse childhood experiences. Staff shared lovely examples where they have adapted their practice, and they were proud as the outcomes for children were improved. Children have felt cared for, and have thought about how to behave more appropriately when they feel upset or angry.

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Information about this children’s home

The staff understand the children’s needs, and the action that they should take if there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. The staff have received additional advice and guidance during team meetings, and through improved handover systems, to ensure that they understand their roles and responsibilities for the protection of children.

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Information about this children’s home

Risk assessments for children have been reviewed and are well written. Information is streamlined and provides the staff with clear strategies to follow. This helps to better protect children from potential harm.

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Information about this children’s home

Staff have progressed through the provider’s mandatory training programme. Staff speak positively about the support that they have received and the variety of training that they have attended. These opportunities ensure that the children are cared for by staff who are trained to meet their individual needs. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472417 3 The manager shared her monthly auditing tool, which has been improved since the last inspection. The manager demonstrated that the tool had been effective in identifying areas for improvement and highlighting good practice.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has an action plan to continue the improvement work in this home.

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Information about this children’s home

Following this visit, the compliance notices are met. The requirements previously issued under regulations 14, 19, 24, 35, 36 and 40 were not reviewed during this visit. For this reason, they are reissued. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472417 4

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/11/2022 Full Inadequate 25/08/2021 Full Good 13/08/2019 Full Good 12/02/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472417 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 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)) 31 January 2023

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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)) 31 January 2023

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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)) 31 January 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472417 6 The registered person must ensure that—

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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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Requirement Due date

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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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure;

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Requirement Due date

and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record 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)) 31 January 2023

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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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Requirement Due date

are kept up to date; and 31 January 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472417 7 are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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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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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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)) 31 January 2023

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472417 8

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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 for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472417 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 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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