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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034189 1 SC034189

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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 using the ‘No Wrong Door’ model.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties. The home can also 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 four children. Three children were spoken with as part of the inspection process.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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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 this inspection, 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 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 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034189 2 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: SC034189 3

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Findings from the inspection

Inspectors did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children feel safe and can identify staff that they trust. Children have meaningful conversations with staff, often in relation to risky behaviours. One child described how staff would help her if she felt worried, and the staff at the home have offered the child a sense of stability through the predictable care she receives.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the needs of the children well and talk about them with kindness. There are good working relationships with wider professional networks. Professionals highlight how staff communicate effectively and seek appropriate advice and guidance to help them care for children. The registered manager has planned sessions with professionals to deliver bespoke training to staff about the needs of the children in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff promote children’s health needs. Staff take children to routine and emergency medical appointments. There are frequent conversations with children about healthy life choices.

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Findings from the inspection

The use of physical intervention and the use of police to manage behaviour has reduced since the full inspection. Staff use physical interventions as a last resort to ensure the safety of children or staff. Staff complete detailed records, which include the reasons why physical intervention was used, the duration and the type of physical interventions used. The records reflect the proactive steps taken by staff to try and avoid the use of physical intervention. This enables the registered manager to monitor and review this effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is spacious, and children use the communal areas to relax with peers and talk to staff. There have been times when children have damaged the home during significant incidents, and repairs have been completed promptly and to a high standard. Children have contributed to decisions about how to decorate the home, and their artwork is displayed throughout. Metal grills are placed over radiators and some electrical points, which creates an institutional feel to the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff feel supported by the management team. There are regular team meetings that take place. The managers have a strong presence in the home and offer ad hoc support and advice to staff. Some staff have not received supervision in line with the home’s policy.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager and staff have implemented a plan to address the requirements and recommendations made at the last full inspection. This means that the requirements have been met. One of the recommendations is restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034189 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/05/2024 Full Good 12/12/2023 Full Good 07/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034189 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming for children. This includes ensuring that the home is decorated throughout to a good standard. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 61, paragraph 13.2) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034189 6

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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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Inspectors

Ali Owens, Social Care Inspector Lisa Finch, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034189 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

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

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