Children's Home run by Middlesbrough Borough Council in Middlesbrough

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565716 1 Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a local authority. It provides care for up to six children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were three children living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2023.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable

p.1

Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: 2565716 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have experienced poor transition planning when moving into or on from the home. Leaders and managers responded to escalations in the children’s behaviours by moving them to alternative, temporary accommodation. One child was moved from the home the day after visiting a new placement, with no transition planning to make space for a new child. Leaders and managers are aware of this and have implemented changes in practice, which include a robust assessment of chidlren’s needs. This is helping children to feel included in their plans.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have had access to illegal substances contained in vapes. The actions of some staff have not been effective in preventing children from obtaining these substances, and this has led to disciplinary action being taken. Staff have received training in how to respond should a child require emergency treatment as a result of their substance misuse. This allowed staff to take the correct action when a child was found in an unresponsive state. These actions saved the life of this child.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have access to support and advice from experienced staff who were previously employed by substance misuse services. This has been effective in supporting children to stop using substances. Consequently, there have been no incidents in the last three months.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The staff are developing good relationships with the children. Key-work discussions take place regularly to talk about important issues or give support during difficult times. This work shows that children are accepting of and benefiting from adult support.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff are supporting children to increase their school attendance and engagement with their studies. One child has completed their exams and is making good progress at college. Children who experience difficulties are support by staff, who work with professionals to find solutions that motivate and encourage children to re- engage. This support shows children that their education is a priority for staff.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff regularly engage children in activities that they enjoy. These include attending the gym, boxing training and socialising with friends. Children take part in activities with their peers on visits to theme parks, cultural events and local football games. The group activities are supporting positive relationships and shared experiences for the children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff receive alerts each time children’s bedroom doors are opened. There are no assessments in place to demonstrate the need for such restrictions to each child’s privacy. As a result, the use of these alarms is not regularly reviewed to ensure they are appropriate. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565716 3 When allegations are made, senior leaders act quickly to keep children safe, and inform the appropriate agencies when thresholds are met. If appropriate, investigations take place, in a timely manner, and points for improvement are identified. Reflective learning aims to address any concerns, and plans are developed to improve practice and keep children safer.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff have been unable to prevent children in the community from entering the home. There have been incidents where staff and children living in the home have been threatened and police have had to be called. This issue has been ongoing, and staff have not been able to ensure the safety of the children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565716 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/02/2023 Full Good 19/10/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565716 5

p.4

Statutory requirements

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vi)) 10 December

p.5

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.5

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.5

Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

p.5

Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with 10 December Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565716 6 arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii))

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.6

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

p.6

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.6

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement has been reissued from the last inspection. 10 December

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the use of bedroom door alarms is only to support the safeguarding and well-being of children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 16, paragraph 3.16) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565716 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Middlesbrough Borough Council, Middlesbrough House, 50 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough TS1 2RH

p.7

Inspector

Lee Riley, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2565716 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8