Children's home run by Derby City Council in Derby

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC036243 1 SC036243

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to five children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2023.

p.1

Inspection date: 19 February 2025

Date of last inspection: 10 December 2024

p.1

Inspection date: 19 February 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 19 February 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: SC036243 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

All four children living at the home were consulted as part of the inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The shortfalls identified at the previous inspection have been addressed effectively by the manager. The manager has supported staff to understand and implement the necessary improvements.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home. This has reduced the overall risks that the staff have been managing. As a result, fewer temporary staff are required, and children are experiencing more consistent care. When temporary staff are needed, they are familiar, consistent workers who are well liked by the children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The children living in the home are generally settled. They are supported with their independence skills and are making good progress with their individual care plans. Strong relationships with staff are contributing positively to children’s ongoing development and progression.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

One child has recently moved into the home. This was an emergency placement, and there was not an opportunity to carry out transition preparation with the child. Despite this, the child has settled in well and expressed feeling welcomed and supported by staff. The child also spoke positively about the care received during a recent period of illness.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff have supported one child to access necessary health services, and plans are in place to support them as they approach independence.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The use of cannabis by one child is a concern, and this is reflected in their care plan and risk assessment. Staff have worked collaboratively with health professionals to address this, and a safety plan is in place. One child has been supported to give up smoking, which is good progress.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children are now fully aware of the closed-circuit television outside of the home, and their views on this are appropriately recorded. The overall feedback from children is that this additional security measure enhances their sense of safety. This is also reflected in the home’s statement of purpose.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff remain inconsistent in their approach to carrying out bedroom searches, and children are not always informed when a search has taken place. While written records have improved, they do not always provide sufficient rationale for some of the searches carried out. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC036243 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/01/2024 Full Good 05/09/2022 Full Good 21/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC036243 4

p.3

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information about individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that children’s bedrooms are only searched if the child has been informed or asked for their permission. Immediate searching may be necessary where there are reasonable grounds for believing that there is a risk to the child’s or another person’s safety or well-being. The registered person should ensure that information from such searches is appropriately shared

p.4

Recommendations

with professionals. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.20) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC036243 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Council House, Corporation Street, Derby DE1 2FS

p.5

Inspector

Kayleigh Spinks, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC036243 6 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.5

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.6

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.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6