Children's home run by Hartlepool Borough Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2745434 1 Registered provider: Hartlepool Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated and managed by a local authority. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were three children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2745434 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a warm and inviting home with a family atmosphere. Children have their own bedrooms that are individualised and decorated to the same high standard as the rest of the home. This shows children that they are valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are welcomed to the home and given a colourful children’s guide about how the home runs. This is written in a child-friendly way that they will understand. This helps children to feel comfortable about where they will be living and be prepared for the move.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy trusting and consistent relationships with staff who respond to the children in an empathetic way. Staff model tolerance, patience and acceptance, which helps the children learn how to get along with others. This helps children to develop a stronger sense of self-worth and identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s health needs are met and encourage them to attend their routine appointments. As children get older, staff support them to manage their own health needs. This contributes to children developing the skills they will need when approaching adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work with other education professionals to develop each child’s individual education plan. This ensures that decisions made about education are child-centred. When plans for children are not appropriate, staff ensure that this is challenged and that the child’s voice is heard. This helps to ensure that a more-suitable alternative is explored, and children receive an education that meets their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the children to take part in a range of activities that reflect each child’s unique likes and dislikes. This helps children to explore their interests and what they are good at, such as swimming, go-karting and going to museums. This helps children to feel a sense of achievement and develop their talents.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff talk positively about the children and recognise their individuality. The manager and staff invest time and care into capturing important memories in each child’s own memory book. This means that children have a record of their time at the home that they can take with them when they move on.

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

Children are cared for by staff who know them well. Staff understand the risk posed to the children and how to keep them safe. Children identify trusted adults they can turn to for support, and this makes them feel safer. Inspection report for children’s home: 2745434 3 Children’s plans and assessments are reviewed and promptly updated. This helps to ensure that staff are working to the most up-to-date information and are able to respond effectively.

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

Children have consistent routines and boundaries and know what to expect from staff. Staff encourage positive behaviour through a rewards system and reflection on the children’s achievements. Staff give the children a written daily comment that is inserted into a positive experience book. This provides children with a permanent record to be proud of, contributing to the development of a stronger sense of self- worth.

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

Staff support children to recognise and understand risks through targeted key-work sessions. Discussions take place with children about risks, unsafe adults and staying safe online. Staff are sensitive and creative in exploring these situations. This supports children to make better choices about the people they spend time with and how they use social media.

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

Staff know the procedure to follow when a child is missing from home. Staff follow each child’s individual plan and make a search of the local area and known addresses. However, not all records are sufficiently detailed to show what was done during that time to keep children safe. This restricts the manager’s oversight of how staff have responded when children are missing from home.

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

Children are cared for by adults who are selected using a robust and consistent recruitment process. This helps to ensure that the adults caring for children are suitable and skilled at meeting the needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced registered manager. There is a stable staff team that shares the manager’s high aspirations for the children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers make child-centred decisions about where children will live. When the manager identifies that the home is no longer meeting the needs of a child, discussions are held to carefully consider the next steps. This helps to ensure that decision-making and planning are consistent with each child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff work proactively with other professionals to ensure that children are central to plans for their care. When the manager recognises that decisions are not in a child’s best interests, they challenge those decisions appropriately.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff are supported through an induction programme and probation period. Staff complete essential training as part of their inductions. The manager also ensures that staff complete, or are enrolled on, additional training specific to the needs of the children. This helps to ensure that staff are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide consistent care to the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2745434 4 Staff participate in monthly supervision with their line manager. This includes opportunities to discuss each child. However not all records demonstrate reflection on staff practice or how well they are meeting the needs of children. This restricts the manager’s oversight of the development needs of the staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2745434 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  The registered person should ensure that records are kept that detail all individual incidents when children go missing from the home (regulation 36 (schedule 3(14)). An evaluation of missing-from-home incidents should be undertaken to identify any gaps in training, skills or knowledge for staff or to record and retain evidence of what worked well. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.31)

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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: 2745434 6

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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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Inspector

Lisa Gordon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2745434 7 regulates and inspects 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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