Children's Home run by Redcar and Cleveland Council in Redcar and Cleveland

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699377 1 Registered provider: Redcar and Cleveland Council

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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 managed by a local authority. It provides short- and long- term care for up to six children who may experience social, emotional or mental health difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home also offers outreach services to children who live with their families or in other placements.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in January 2023.

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Inspection date: 7 November 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 7 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: 2699377 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

Staff keep children safe and ensure that they are well cared for. There have been improvements since the last inspection. All requirements made about shortfalls in practice have been met.

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Findings from the inspection

Children know the staff who care for them very well. This includes children who have lived in the home for a short period. Children know that staff are committed to them, even when there are difficulties. This helps children to enjoy a level of stability that has not always been possible previously.

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Findings from the inspection

Most children take part in an appropriate form of education. When this remains a challenge for children, staff make extensive efforts to encourage them to overcome their anxieties. Leaders know when children’s progress is slow. They take steps to review options with staff and other professionals.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff offer considerable support to family members. This includes practical help, as well as educative work. Family members greatly value this support. Staff recognise the important role that families play in children’s lives, even when there are ongoing issues to resolve.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff use their positive relationships with children to help them to become safer. The frequency and duration of children’s missing-from-care episodes are reducing. Although children continue to be vulnerable, there are emerging signs of change. For one child, this is evidence of good progress considering their starting point.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the risks that children continue to face when they are missing. Action taken to find children is individualised and staff are tenacious in their efforts to locate a missing child. Staff follow risk assessments closely. They work effectively with other professionals, including the police. Children know the efforts that staff make to help them to become safe. This is essential in helping children to view their risks differently.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff take effective action to reduce children’s risks from substance misuse. Staff talk to children about the harm that they face and encourage them to engage with specialist agencies. When children are reluctant to do so, staff provide this support directly. Staff are trained to ensure that they know how to respond if children misuse substances. Some of this training is innovative. It provides staff with the skills and confidence to respond swiftly to children’s needs. Although some risks continue, staff consistently act to protect children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699377 3 Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated when changes occur. They direct staff to check on children who might have misused drugs or alcohol. However, there are no clear expectations about the frequency of such checks. Current staff know the children very well and make safe decisions about monitoring their well-

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Findings from the inspection

being. However, new or less-experienced staff could miss important cues about children’s health without clearer guidance.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager oversees children’s progress, including risks. She reviews and responds to individual incidents, as well as patterns of behaviour. As a result, children continue to receive individualised care and protection as their needs change.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager arranges children’s admissions to the home carefully. Senior leaders support her. This means that children only move to this home when staff can meet their needs as well as those of the children already living there.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive the support and learning that they need to perform well. They know that they can speak to managers about any concerns. Staff rarely move on from working at this home. This means that children are being looked after by staff who they know well. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699377 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699377 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that risk assessments set out the minimum frequency that staff are expected to check on children when they may be under the influence of any substance. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699377 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Redcar and Cleveland Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Seafield House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar TS10 1SP

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Inspector

Jane Titley, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699377 7 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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