Children's Home run by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in Rotherham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2662265 1 Registered provider: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a local authority. It was registered in November 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties, and/or learning disabilities. There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2024.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2662265 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/05/2023 Full Good 25/05/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2662265 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is settled and they are making progress. Day-to-day experiences for the child are positive because they are receiving a high standard of individualised and nurturing care. The child responds to the structure, routines and boundaries provided to them by staff, and they enjoy secure and trusting relationships with the team. The manager and staff understand the child’s additional needs, which means that care planning for the child is strong.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Transitions for children are well planned, and children’s wishes and feelings are considered. This helped one child to settle soon after they moved into the home. When one child moved out of the home, staff advocated for an extended transition which meant that the child received support from staff until they were settled in their new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is attending school, and they are making progress in their education. Staff promote fun activities which provide the child with opportunities to develop their numeracy and literacy skills. Education professionals said, ‘[Child’s name] has made progress since the time they moved into this home. [Name] is more settled in school and engagement in learning has improved.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is in good physical health, they enjoy a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Staff listen to the child’s wishes and feelings about their health. They advocate for the child, and they took appropriate action to ensure that the child received an early review of the treatment they were receiving. One child made progress with their diet because of the help and support provided by staff when they lived at the home. This provides the child with improved health outcomes for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have supported the child and their family to spend time together in a fun way. Staff have been instrumental in helping the child and their family to re-build a positive relationship. One parent said, ‘Our relationship with [child’s name] is much improved because of the support they [staff] have given us, it is lovely to see [child’s name] so settled’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s day-to-day experiences and significant events in the child’s life are captured in photographs and other memorabilia. This is a lovely keepsake for now and to look back on in the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A range of activities reflect the child’s hobbies and interests such as trampolining, go- karting, theme parks and bike rides. Staff promote activities that will provide the child with new experiences, which has led to the child gaining a new interest in fishing. The child is committed to their new hobby and their skills in the sport are developing because of the help and support provided by staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2662265 4 Staff consult with the child regularly about the decisions made in the home and about the care that they are receiving. Records show that the child’s wishes and feelings are sought, and staff take actions to respond to the child.

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

The risks to the child have reduced since they moved into this home. Staff understand the child’s additional needs and they are clear about the child’s individual vulnerabilities and risks. They understand the importance of using their relationship with the child to good effect. As a result, the child is settled and is doing well.

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

Risk assessments and behaviour plans identify all known risks to the child, they are detailed and kept under review by the manager. Staff are clear about the steps to follow to reduce some of those risks.

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

The child does not go missing. However, there is a detailed plan in place should this happen, and staff are clear about their responsibilities to children who go missing.

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

Serious incidents are rare. When the child has shown unwanted behaviour, staff respond sensitively and in a way that considers the child’s additional needs. Staff talk to the child about how they are feeling which helps the child to have a better understanding of the difficult feelings and emotions that they are experiencing.

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

The restraint of children is not often used. The manager identified and addressed a shortfall when an unplanned hold was used during a restraint. All staff have now received the relevant training and the quality of records when children are held have improved. Consequences are rarely used, but when they have been given, they have been proportionate and restorative.

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

Allegations are taken seriously. They are investigated and information is shared with safeguarding professionals. One professional said, ‘Communication and information about the child’s safety is good.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and suitably qualified. He is ambitious and has a clear vision for the development of the home and staff team. The manager has a child centred approach and role models positive practice to the staff team. He values his staff and provides them with effective leadership. This helps staff to work as a team to implement firm boundaries and deliver consistent care to achieve improved outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager keeps a good oversight of quality of care provided to the child and staff development. There are effective systems in place to review and monitor the risks to the child, the progress the child is making and staff performance. Where concerns about one staffs conduct was identified, the manager took swift action to address the shortfalls. Inspection report for children’s home: 2662265 5 Staff including those staff employed through an employment agency receive supervision that is supportive and enables reflective practice. Staff are happy and they feel supported. However, some staff have not received supervision in line with the organisations proposed timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings happen regularly, and they are well attended, and they provide staff with the opportunity to discuss the child’s plan. Records show that discussions about the child are detailed, and the child’s needs are central.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff are held in high regard by other professionals. The manager has built strong relationships with other professionals and there is evidence of partnership working at this home. The manager is a strong advocate for the child. He confidently challenges others to ensure that the child’s needs are being met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a good range of training. This includes training in areas specific to the child’s needs. Records show that training is kept up to date and under review for all staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2662265 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision 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 Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 2662265 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Riverside House, Main Street, Rotherham S60 1AE

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Kaylen Sables Jamie Wilson

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Inspector

Rachel Webster, Social Care Inspector Parveen Hussain, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home: 2662265 8 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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