Children's home run by Middlesbrough Borough Council

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC472381 1 SC472381

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Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council

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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 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

At the time of the inspection, the home was providing care for three children with complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable

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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. The inspector has 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: SC472381 2

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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.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager recognises the importance of structure, routine and boundaries for children’s safety and overall progress. Children have been consulted on their interests and wishes and contributed to designing a consequence and reward scheme. Children and staff are much clearer on what is expected of them, and children say they get on with staff much better. As a result, this has increased the children’s motivation to adhere to the house rules and expectations.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager uses information from the children’s plans to design important topics for discussions. Children engage in these discussions, learning new strategies and gaining rewards for their positive contributions. Because of this work, the children have been involved in significantly fewer serious incidents and missing-from-home episodes.

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Findings from the inspection

When children move on from the home, they are involved in the decision-making and allowed to experience positive endings to their relationships. Leaders and managers have learned from previous failings where children experienced poor transition planning into unregistered placements. Children can now visit their new home and have overnight stays before moving in. A goodbye meal and activities are organised, and children are given a personalised hamper. This helps children to say goodbye to their home and feel confident in moving on.

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Findings from the inspection

When children are missing from home, the staff search known areas and contact friends and family in line with procedures. The children receive independent return home interviews from the missing team, which gathers information about each missing episode. This helps to formulate how children are supported by staff and also forms the basis for conversations with children. This support helps to build relationships between staff and children and encourages children to make safer decisions.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff only use physical intervention when there is immediate risk to children. These incidents are well managed and include the oversight of senior leaders. The children are supported during and after these incidents to understand their emotions and learn new ways to manage them.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is run by a suitably qualified manager, and there is a permanent staff team in place. The manager is successful in recruiting to fill vacant posts, reducing the reliance on agency staff to care for children. Positive relationships are now being built between children and the staff employed solely for the home. This is contributing to a sense of stability and permanence for the children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC472381 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/11/2023 Full Good 08/03/2023 Full Good 07/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC472381 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Lee Riley, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC472381 5 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 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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