Children's Home run by Laska Care and Education Ltd in North Yorkshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567806 1 Registered provider: Laska Care and Education Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 6 May 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567806 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

The home has been redecorated since the last inspection. It is clean and in good repair. Artwork, games and soft furnishings make it feel homely. Children have chosen to display artwork rather than personal photos on the walls. A new trampoline has been purchased for the back garden for when the weather improves. Children are encouraged to engage in enjoyable activities which they have fun doing.

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The care of children

Children have made progress in handling their emotions. Staff talk to them regularly about how they feel, what upsets them and how they can seek help when they become upset. Children now feel comfortable attending meetings and sharing their views with others involved in their care. The children are finding positive ways to express their feelings.

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The care of children

One child has left the home and moved to a new one. Staff helped to create a plan where they could move smoothly across to the new home. Staff from the new home came and worked with the child in this home and were able to start to build relationships, ask staff important questions and share information about the child’s care. This helped the child to have a smooth transition into their new home.

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The care of children

Children say that staff listen to them and that they feel safe living in the home. The staff change the way they work to support the child and say that the registered manager is always supportive. Children are confident to advocate for themselves and are given confidence by the registered manager and staff team.

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The care of children

The registered manager has challenged the local authority and continues to do so to ensure that children are engaged in education. The manager understands their role in advocating for the children and involves relevant professionals to achieve this. Children are better equipped for the future because of this advocacy and support.

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The safety of children

The registered manager reviews all incidents promptly. The registered manager can then reflect with children and staff about the incident to think of ways that reoccurrence can be avoided. People who need to be informed of any incidents are made fully aware. Lessons are learned by the staff and children. This learning is then shared with all the staff. When records are created, they are shared with children, who have opportunities to discuss and comment on the content. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567806 3 Managers and staff respond appropriately in emergency situations to keep children safe. Staff de-escalate situations where children are upset. Where children have health concerns, staff seek medical help and support from managers as required. Staff seek help from emergency services if needed to keep children safe. The registered manager notifies the regulator when this is required.

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The safety of children

Children do not routinely go missing from this home. If they do, there are detailed protocols which staff are familiar with and follow. Staff search for the children and keep all relevant professionals up to date with events. After a missing-from-home incident, staff ensure that children are reassured and spoken with about the reasons for going missing and the risks involved. Staff also ensure that children are offered an independent interview so that they can talk to someone outside of the home environment.

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The safety of children

The registered manager follows safer recruitment procedures. There are several new members of staff, and they are being supported through a thorough induction to the service. New staff speak confidently about the needs of the children and their care plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has made improvements since the last inspection. The registered manager has taken action to deal with shortfalls which had been raised and has improved monitoring systems in the home. This helps the registered manager to have clear overview of the needs of the children, the staff and the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager is a reflective practitioner and has improved their own practice and that of the staff. The registered manager has used their learning to tackle things head on. The registered manager is proactive and involved in the induction of new staff. Recent team meetings have helped new staff to develop relationships, understand processes and expectations. This creates a strong team to support the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager is person centred. Staff say that they are supported by the registered manager. All staff receive regular supervision and annual appraisals, where they reflect on the children and their progress. The one-to-one meetings also address the staff member’s training and development needs. Staff are motivated by the registered manager to provide good-quality care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff leaving the home and staff sickness have affected the sufficiency of skilled staff to provide care for the children. The registered manager has recruited a number of new staff recently. Therefore, the home no longer requires agency staff. On occasions, shifts have been covered by newer and inexperienced staff who have not received all required training. This poses a risk to children and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has completed the quality of care review during this period and made plans to improve the service. It is not clear how the views of others have Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567806 4 been considered during this process and if their views were reflected in the planning. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567806 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/06/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567806 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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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—

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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

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 has sufficient staff to provide care for 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

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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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)(c)(d)(e)(g)(ii)(h)) 20 March 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567806 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Laska Care and Education Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Euroway House, Roysdale Way, Bradford BD4 6SE

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Inspector

Carol Jagger, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567806 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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