Aldine House Secure Centre

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046524 1 Aldine House Secure Centre Registered provider: Sheffield City Council Aldine House, 75 Limb Lane, Dore, Sheffield S17 3ES

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this secure children’s home

This secure children’s home is operated by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children’s liberty. The home provides care for up to 10 children aged between 10 and 17 years who are placed by local authorities and accommodated under section 25 of the Children Act 1989. Six children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this secure children’s home

Admission of any child under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who is under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

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Information about this secure children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023.

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Information about this secure children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this secure children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspectors evaluated:

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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 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046524 2 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: SC046524 3

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Findings from the inspection

Children said that they like living at the home. They were observed playing games with staff outside and said that they were enjoying themselves. One child said that staff support them with their hobbies and interests and that this helps them to see a future for themselves outside of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff speak to children about the things that are most important to them and about the areas of their progress where they need the most support. Children tell staff about their worries and feelings, and what is going well for them. These sessions are carried out in line with the children’s individual care plans. This means that staff deliver consistent care and support packages for children that help them to make good progress.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the children well and understand their individual health needs and risks. Careful planning around risks to children is considered, and plans are put in place to manage and mitigate these. Risk plans provide a clear overview of children’s risks and vulnerabilities. These detailed records direct staff on how to better support children when they are struggling to cope and provide children with strategies to help them to manage their own behaviours.

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Findings from the inspection

Weekly meetings regarding incidents that have occurred in the home have been introduced. These ensure that leaders and managers have clear oversight of these events and that they are able to effectively review them. Managers identify any areas for development alongside areas of good practice, and then share these messages with the staff team to continually develop and improve their skills and knowledge.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers respond quickly to poor staff practice. They work in consultation with the local authority designated officer, when appropriate. Following any investigations, suitable decisions are made in the best interest of the child.

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Findings from the inspection

In general, staff record incidents of physical restraint and single separation well. Nevertheless, on one document of a ‘managed away’ incident, there was no record of any management overview or review to determine if the legal criteria for the continued use of this measure of control was met.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff said that they like working at the home and working with the children. They said that they feel supported by leaders and managers and by staff across the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The three requirements made at the last inspection have been met along with one of the two recommendations. One further recommendation has been made at this visit. The three recommendations relating to education were not reviewed as part of this inspection and remain. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046524 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/01/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/10/2023 Full Inadequate 28/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046524 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person must ensure that there is a clear record kept around the decision-making for whether the threshold for managed away has been reviewed, met and recorded by a manager. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 50, paragraph 9.65)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that sufficient, suitably trained staff are on duty to meet the assessed needs of all children in the home. In particular, the home should not admit more than eight children until the staff sleep-in room and associated areas are fully repaired so that staff can meet children's needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 51, paragraph 10.1)  The registered person should ensure that children’s progress in education can be measured and evidenced in various ways, including, but not limited to, success in academic, vocational and other awards and qualifications. In particular, they should ensure that there are suitable teaching resources to deliver a wide curriculum. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.2)  The registered person should ensure that children’s progress in education can be

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Recommendations

measured and evidenced in various ways, including, but not limited to, success in academic, vocational and other awards and qualifications. Measurements of progress should include qualitative information. In particular, children’s education, health and care plans should be reviewed and revised to reflect their current education needs and the required next stage for education. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.2)  The registered person should ensure that they comply with their duty under section 22(3A) of the Children Act 1989 to promote the educational achievement of their looked after children. In particular, they should review the staffing teaching complement and take action to ensure that children’s educational needs can be consistently met, and they should ensure that they work to improve the partnership working between education and care staff teams. (‘Guide to the

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Recommendations

Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 27, paragraph 5.5) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046524 6

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider: Sheffield City Council

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Secure children’s home details

Registered provider address: Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH

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Inspectors

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Cath Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Leanne Lyon, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC046524 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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