Children's Home run by Vcare - 24 Limited in East Riding of Yorkshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2538267 1 Registered provider: Vcare-24 Limited Full inspection 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 private company. It provides care for one child who experiences social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. The child was spoken with during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager for 11 months. The provider has appointed a new manager and their application is under review. The new manager was present during the inspection.

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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 requires improvement to be good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 21 October 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2538267 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/10/2024 Full Good 05/09/2023 Full Good 31/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2538267 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff always place the child’s well-being at the centre of their practice and are committed to achieving the best outcomes for them. The child’s achievements are celebrated and appropriately rewarded. The child’s day-to-day needs are met, such as routine, privacy and personal space, and there are enjoyable meals that meet the child’s cultural needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has appropriate and assessed contact with their family and friends. They are supported and encouraged to spend time with family, and no unnecessary restrictions are in place. Staff work proactively and positively with the child to promote meaningful and safe arrangements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a clear understanding of the individual risks for the child and are consistent in their approach, supporting the child to spend regular time with family members safely. This makes the child feel listened to, strengthens the child’s identity and reduces risk. Age-appropriate boundaries are in place, which promotes positive behaviour.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff have worked effectively in partnership with education providers to advocate for the child’s return to daily education. The child is attending education and is making significant progress. Staff have been creative and have used the child’s interests as opportunities for them to learn and develop new skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is in good health and has access to local health services, including dentists, when they need them. The child’s current health needs are met through meaningful key-work sessions and access to specialist support agencies.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the risks for the child and have reduced these. Staff help the child to understand risks, and these are clearly documented in the child’s plans. Staff are skilled in engaging the child in reducing risk because of the positive relationships they have built with them.

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

Staff avoid using any form of physical intervention with the child and use a range of other ways to support them. This includes supporting the child to express difficult feelings in constructive ways. Staff also provide a consistent routine and structure to the child’s day. This has helped the child to feel safer in the home.

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

Managers and staff are responsive to the child. Staff use reflection and lessons learned from incidents that have occurred. This leads to changed practice, and learning is captured in the child’s plans. The child’s plans are understood and followed by the staff team. This provides consistent support to the child at the times they may find most difficult. Inspection report for children’s home: 2538267 4 Managers share concerns with external safeguarding partners appropriately. If there are concerns regarding staff behaviour, managers follow the policies and procedures to deal with these. They also seek advice from professionals with responsibilities for safeguarding children.

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

Episodes of the child going missing from the home have reduced. The child engages with staff’s calls and checks when they are out in the community. Surveillance in the home has reduced as the child has made positive choices around their own safety. However, independent return home interviews have not always been completed with the child after episodes of them going missing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The provider has not appointed a suitable registered manager for over 11 months. The deputy manager, interim managers and the staff team have supported the home during this period. The deputy manager and senior staff have carried out some management responsibilities in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The new manager’s application is being processed. The new manager has recognised and addressed some shortfalls in the home since arriving. This includes other professionals not regularly visiting the child in the home and unclear communication from them to the child. The manager addresses these concerns directly with professionals and via escalation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The new manager has only been in post for less than two months but recognises the progress the child has made from their starting point and the key role that staff have played in supporting this. The manager recognises staff’s strengths and ensures that the child is supported by their preferred staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff are supported through regular supervision, which is reflective and constructive. The new manager gives staff feedback on their skills and practice. This helps them to develop in their role and feel supported. The new manager is bringing staff appraisals up to date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

New staff receive an induction and shadowing opportunities when they start work. Managers have improved the induction systems and have ensured that in recent months there has been consistent staffing for the child in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2538267 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) 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(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must take swift action to appoint a suitable registered manager. 18 December 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. The home should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have 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: 2538267 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 10, Halifax Way, Pocklington Industrial Estate, Pocklington, York YO42 1NP

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Inspectors

Carol Jagger, Social Care Inspector Sarah Adotey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2538267 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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