Children's Home run by North Yorkshire County Council in North Yorkshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034235 1 SC034235

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Registered provider: North Yorkshire Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a local authority under the ‘No Wrong Door’ model. It provides care for up to six children aged between 10 and 18 years with social, emotional or mental health difficulties. The home can also provide care for a further two children in separate accommodation for up to 28 days.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, the home was providing care for three children. Two children were spoken to during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, 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: SC034235 2

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Findings from the inspection

This assurance inspection was completed after Ofsted received a whistle-blowing complaint regarding a safeguarding matter involving two children.

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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 and young people at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager and staff care about the children and this is shown in the interactions and relationships directly observed. Children talk openly about the care, love and support shown by the staff and that they feel safe. One child said that, for the staff, nothing is too much for them. The quality of individualised care is evident in key-work sessions, staff supervision and team meetings and discussions. It is evident that the relationships that the staff form and nurture with the children enhance the children’s lived experiences and enable opportunities.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the children’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. Children’s risks are captured in a comprehensive risk assessment, which is reviewed by a manager after each incident and subsequent changes made. Children have a missing-from-home plan and there is also a prevention plan, which is supported by close working with the police liaison officer.

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Findings from the inspection

Where holds have been required, these have been completed by trained staff and recorded on a serious incident log with management oversight. When holds have been adopted, this has been as a last resort and after other methods have been explored. After such incidents, key-work sessions completed show that children are spoken to and encouraged to reflect on the incident to manage their own behaviours.

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Findings from the inspection

Children state that they are encouraged to share their views and feedback is actively sought. When asked, one child said they knew who to talk to and how to make a complaint. Children who are no longer resident in the home still benefit from the support and care from the staff. There is clear evidence that staff advocate for the children to pursue their entitlements and challenge any barriers faced.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s personal and health needs are well understood. The strength of the relationships with the staff assists in persuading children to have the required medication, even when reluctant.

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Findings from the inspection

The home benefits from an experienced registered manager and management team, who are knowledgeable about the strengths and areas of improvement for the team and service.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spoken to demonstrated a good understanding of allegation management and the whistle-blowing policy. This included speaking to management, referral to the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034235 3 local authority designated officer, the local authority whistle-blowing helpline and also the Ofsted whistle-blowing process.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are provided with training, which supports the staff team being skilled and knowledgeable in meeting the needs of the children. Staff who have outstanding training are identified, and this is sourced at the earliest opportunity to support the quality of care. A comprehensive training matrix allows for management oversight, data capture and analysis.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spoke highly about the team support and the support of leadership and management. This was a view shared by other professionals, who commented on the effective communication and close working with the staff and manager to ensure the effective safeguarding of children.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has addressed the recommendations made in the previous full inspection and these have been completed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034235 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/07/2024 Full Good 20/06/2023 Full Good 02/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/05/2022 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034235 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: North Yorkshire Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Racecourse Lane, Northallerton DL7 8AD

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Inspector

Lisa Finch, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034235 6 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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