Children's home run by City of Doncaster Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2702037 1 Registered provider: City of Doncaster Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is managed by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There are currently three children living in the home. All three children were spoken to as part of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a suitably qualified registered manager.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2702037 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/09/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2702037 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are committed to providing a stable environment for children and children say they feel listened to and that staff invest in spending time with them. Children spoke warmly of their relationships with staff, and one child said how much they enjoyed the range of activities that they are offered while living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to share their views and are confident in doing so. Their choices are reflected in day-to-day decisions, and they understand how to raise concerns. Children have accessed the complaints process and received clear feedback, demonstrating a culture of listening and accountability.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is seen as a priority and staff have worked with professionals to ensure that children are supported to attend education and progress their learning. Achievements are celebrated, and staff will challenge other professionals to ensure that education packages are robust and meet the needs of the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Transitions into the home are well managed. Children feel welcomed and are supported to visit, meet staff and other children, and personalise their bedrooms before moving in. This approach helps children feel prepared and involved in their transition. The home environment supports both shared and individual needs, offering privacy and communal space.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from timely access to specialist support. Care planning is robust, and multi-agency working is well established. Plans are regularly reviewed, and information is shared effectively, allowing children to receive consistent help to manage their feelings and behaviours.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the potential risks associated with the children who live in the home. Staff have developed good relationships with the children’s social workers and other professionals working with them. This promotes clear care planning.

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

When children have gone missing from the home, there is a well-coordinated response to initially find them and share information with relevant professionals. Independent return home interviews are offered to children if they go missing, and their responses are noted for team members to review.

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

Risk Assessments are updated following any incidents and staff have the opportunity to review any updates. The children receive support from specialist services in a timely way that helps them understand their behaviour and potential triggers. Inspection report for children’s home: 2702037 4 Children can identify a trusted staff member and are encouraged to share any concerns they may have. Children have a named key worker who knows them well, and there are lots of opportunities to capture any issues that children have and to offer support and reassurance. This helps children to feel safe.

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

Staff rarely use physical restraints to manage children’s behaviour, and sanctions and restrictions are used sparingly. Children are always encouraged to talk about any incident that has happened in a safe and supportive environment.

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

Staff receive specialist training that helps them safely care for the children. Staff are trained in therapeutic crisis intervention, which enables them to de-escalate situations and reduce the need for physical intervention. This consistent, restorative approach helps children feel secure and respected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is visible within the home and knows the children well. The registered manager regularly monitors the quality of care provided for the children and provides good management oversight. They measure the children’s progress and encourage staff to celebrate success. This makes the children feel proud and good about themselves.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has addressed feedback from the previous inspection through a clear and purposeful action plan. Areas for further development are identified, and the registered manager works collaboratively with senior leaders to drive improvements in practice and outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Strong partnership working underpins effective care planning. The registered manager maintains positive relationships with a range of external agencies, ensuring consistency and clarity in planning. Placement decisions follow a thorough matching process, with professionals’ views sought to ensure that the needs of all children are considered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff and managers receive regular supervision that supports professional reflection and focuses on children’s plans. The home is appropriately resourced, and recruitment processes ensure staff are suitably vetted. Staff report feeling well supported by the registered manager, who maintains an open-door policy and promotes a responsive working environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

While staff training is well established for permanent team members, the use of agency staff presents a shortfall. A comprehensive training plan is not yet in place to ensure that agency workers meet the mandatory requirements for working in a children’s home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2702037 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that–

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, all staff in a care role, including external agency or bank staff, must have the qualification in regulation 32(4) within the relevant timescale. 26 September 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2702037 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: City of Doncaster Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU

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Inspector

Lisa Richards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2702037 7 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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