Children's home run by Middlesbrough Borough Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2567557 1 Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by the local authority. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home. The child spoke to the inspectors about their experiences of living in the home.

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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: 24 January 2024

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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: 2567557 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/01/2023 Full Good 18/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2567557 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home. A new child was welcomed to the home in June 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff promoted a positive ending for the children who moved out of the home. The moves were based on the children’s wishes and were well planned over a period of time. The moves were a success, and the children experienced positive outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child living in the home was supported to quickly build important relationships with staff and develop a sense of belonging. Staff invest time in the child and listen to them to gain an understanding of the child’s needs. The child has made positive progress in a short period of time, and has already experienced positive outcomes in many aspects of their life. The staff speak with pride about the child’s unique talents and ensure that these are celebrated.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff ensure that the child enjoys a good range of social and recreational activities that reflect the child’s interests. This helps the child to build their confidence and self-esteem. Activities include shopping, horse riding, baking and arts and crafts. Staff understand the importance of the child having these positive experiences and support the child’s social and emotional development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support the child to have a relationship with family members. They understand that the child can find this difficult at times and provide the child with appropriate support when required. The child recently showcased their baking skills when their family visited the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is not in full-time education. The staff advocate for the child and work with the virtual school to identify alternative education. In the absence of formal education, staff are supporting the child’s skills and preparation for independent living. The child has developed confidence in cooking and cleaning. Furthermore, staff have supported the child to understand budgeting and the value of money. The child enjoys completing the food shop.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to ensure that their individual health needs are met. Staff are sensitive to children’s anxieties and the barriers that children face to attending appointments. Staff promote the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle with lots of opportunities to improve physical health. Children take part in activities such as walking and fitness videos. One child, who has since moved from the home, experienced significant improvements to their overall heath.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy celebrating events that are important to them, such as Christmas and birthdays. The staff provide children with experiences that will become childhood memories and enrich their lives. The child living in the home told staff, ‘I did not Inspection report for children’s home: 2567557 4 know what Christmas really was or how it should feel until I lived here. For the first time, I have a place to call home and be happy.’

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

The child’s risk assessment is regularly updated, and staff use this detailed document to help them to support the child during times of crisis. This approach means that the risks to the child continue to reduce. One professional said, ‘The risks were significant before the child moved in to the home. The staff have provided good-quality care and risks are significantly reducing now.’

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

Staff are calm and caring in their approach and use preventative behaviour management techniques and positive relationships to help the child. Staff are trained in a therapeutic model of care that benefits the child. There are clear boundaries and routines in place in the home, with a focus on rewarding the child for positive behaviour. The child responds well to this approach.

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

The child is able to talk to staff about issues that are affecting them. Staff help the child to understand their vulnerabilities and risks. This has enabled the child to develop alternative ways to manage their difficult feelings.

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

One child who has moved out was vulnerable to going missing from home. The staff followed the missing-from-home procedures and searched for the child. Staff worked closely with the police to help the child to be located quickly, and safely returned to the home. One professional said, ‘The team are insightful into risk factors and triggers, always being curious and sharing intelligence, helping to return children home safely.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are committed, work well together and share the manager’s high aspirations for children. Staff say they feel supported by the managers. Most of the staff know the child living in the home very well. However, there are some gaps in staff knowledge about the child’s adverse childhood experiences and specific diagnosis of need. The manager has a plan to improve staff knowledge and awareness.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The team is child-centred and committed to improving outcomes for the child. Staff complete core training, including therapeutic training tailored to the needs of the child. Staff collaborate closely with the clinical psychologist to make sure that their practice is tailored to children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff participate in regular supervision of their practice, and the manager facilitates staff development days. This allows staff the space to reflect on the care they provide to children. The records of each session show discussions about the children. Staff can talk about any issues or concerns they have and what actions may be needed to improve outcomes for children. This helps the manager to maintain oversight of the development needs of staff and ensure that practice in the home is safe and effective. Inspection report for children’s home: 2567557 5 Relationships with external agencies and professionals are effective and positive. The registered manager collaborates closely with professionals to ensure that the child receives the right support. Significant events are shared appropriately. One social worker said, ‘The communication is excellent, the team are resilient and [name of child] is always at the centre of everything they do.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children make good progress, and their experiences are positive. However, records do not always reflect this. Furthermore, records do not capture the good practice by staff, or all of the good work that they undertake with the children. Children do not always have photos or evidence of their achievements and experiences while living in the home. Important memories for children are not captured, and this limits what the child can look back on to understand their life story. Inspection report for children’s home: 2567557 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s records on each child represent a significant contribution to their life history. Staff should keep and encourage children to keep appropriate memorabilia of the time spent living at the home and help them record significant life events. The registered manager should consider the use of photographs to ensure children have memories of their experiences and achievements. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand and can meet each child’s needs, including any known diagnosis of need. The registered person should ensure that staff understand children’s previous experiences of the children in their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.1)

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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: 2567557 7

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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 Borough Council, Middlesbrough House, 50 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RH

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Inspector

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Sarah McGow, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2567557 8 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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