Children's Home run by Rite Directions Limited in Kingston upon Hull

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254316 1 Registered provider: Rite Directions Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private provider. It provides care for up to four children with learning disabilities. Two children were living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2021 and is suitably qualified.

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Inspection date: 8 November 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 8 November 2023

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: 1254316 2

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Outcome 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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Findings from the inspection

The children have experienced an unsettled period in the home. However, the registered manager and staff have worked to address this and are responsive to the needs of children. Staff spend time interacting with the children and doing activities with them. As a result, children build trusting relationships with the staff due to the stimulation and engagement they provide.

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Findings from the inspection

Damaged areas of the home have been refurbished to a good standard. Staff have ensured that children’s bedrooms are personalised and that communal areas offer a warm and welcoming environment for children. There are still parts of the home that are in the process of been repaired, but the home is now free of hazards.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff actively promote and support children’s education. When children have not been in school for a long time, they are supported to return in a structured way. Staff are resourceful in their efforts to address the barriers to education that children may face. Staff provide informal learning activities in the home. This ensures that children receive the help that they need to continue with their learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s health needs are well promoted by staff. Staff encourage children to remain active and enjoy a balanced diet. In addition, children are supported to attend medical appointments when necessary. This ensures that their health is maintained.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff regularly update and review children’s risk assessments and behaviour support plans. These documents detail the actions for staff to take to protect children and to manage and reduce risks to their safety. Staff carry out focused work with children that is linked to their risks and vulnerabilities. However, ligature cutters have not been purchased in a timely manner.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have been physically held by the staff to prevent injury to themselves or others. Following a physical intervention, the staff and children have the opportunity to talk about their experience. However, on occasion, the recording of the intervention does not give a clear picture of what happened. This does not ensure that staff’s actions are appropriate and children are safeguarded effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

When allegations are made against s taff, these are investigated, and the local authority designated officer is informed. However, Ofsted is not routinely notified when allegations are made. This under-reporting hinders Ofsted’s oversight of significant incidents and the measures taken to maintain the safety and well-being of children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254316 3 Leaders and managers adhere to safe recruitment procedures. All relevant checks and verifications are carried out before staff work with children. Induction and probationary periods provide staff with the support they need to acquire the necessary skills and experience to confidently fulfil their roles.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager uses external monitoring by an independent person to review the quality of care provided and progress children make. The registered manager responds well to the feedback from the independent person. Plans are put in place to promptly address any recommendations that are made following a visit. This approach helps to drive forward improvements in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are well supported in their roles. They benefit from regular team meetings and reflective supervision. Staff receive relevant training, but some are still waiting to receive training specific to the individual needs of the children. This does not ensure that staff are sufficiently equipped to meet the children’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager is supported in her role by a team of experienced and new staff, who are child focused. The registered manager knows the strengths of the service and has ideas to develop the home. However, in her absence, senior leaders do not ensure that the day-to-day monitoring tools of the children’s quality of care are effective. There are gaps in the recording of children’s essential documents.

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Findings from the inspection

At the last inspection, six requirements were raised. Leaders and managers have taken sufficient action to address three of the requirements. One requirement on the home environment is partly met and two requirements have not been met. These requirements have been restated. One further requirement has been made following this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254316 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/05/2022 Full Inadequate 15/02/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254316 5

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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, The 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(vii)) 12 January 2024

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)) 12 January 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254316 6 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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h)) 12 January 2024

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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

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 12 January 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254316 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Rite Directions Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Tan Y Marian, Constitution Hill, Penmaenmawr LL34 6BA

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Inspector

Evelyn Chafota, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254316 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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