Children's home run by North East Lincolnshire Council

Inspection report for children’s home: SC069618 1 SC069618 Registered provider: North East Lincolnshire 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

The home is managed and run by the local authority. It provides care for up to 2 children who may have emotional and social difficulties or learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living in the home. Both children were spoken to.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 18 February 2025

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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: SC069618 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/02/2025 Full Good 09/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/06/2022 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: SC069618 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress and experience a sense of belonging in the home. They describe the home as their own. The children have welcomed family members into the home and said they are proud of where they live. Staff and professionals highlight improvements in the children’s outcomes. Written records confirm progress, and the children’s achievements demonstrate stability and emotional wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a welcoming and nurturing environment. Professionals report that they are ‘always’ greeted by staff who know the children well. Staff are supportive and demonstrate a strong understanding of the children’s needs. This enables children to feel safe and valued, contributing to their continued progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well understood. Staff promote healthy lifestyles and encourage positive routines. Children access local health services and specialist support. Children’s physical and emotional health needs are met through timely engagement with health professionals and staff creating an environment where healthy living is encouraged.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children access activities that help them create positive experiences and lasting memories. Each child has a memory book that contains narratives and photos, providing a pleasant record of their time in the home. Children can take these memories with them when they move on. Staff support children to explore their interests and hobbies, encouraging participation. This approach promotes a sense of identity and belonging, supporting personal development through hobbies and interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of family relationships. Children are supported to maintain relationships with family and friends. Staff participate in family time and support the children to make it a positive experience. Professionals have shared confidence in staff to manage the relationships effectively and continue to support the children. This commitment supports children’s emotional wellbeing and sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s educational experiences are mixed. The approach to supporting education for all children is not consistently effective. One child is making progress and developing aspirations for the future. One child has missed significant periods of learning and is choosing not to attend school. Staff provide appropriate messages about the importance of education, but there is inconsistency in approach and a lack of strategies to bridge gaps in learning. The staff are not working cohesively to address these gaps.

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

Children feel safe in the home. One child told a professional that they like living at the home and it is safe. Staff know the children well and follow risk assessments effectively. There are clear plans and strategies in place to help children feel secure. Staff Inspection report for children’s home: SC069618 4 understand individual children’s needs and respond appropriately to any concerns. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated, ensuring that strategies remain relevant and effective. Children are protected from harm and supported to feel safe.

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

Staff are skilled in de-escalation. Staff follow plans to act early and effectively to prevent escalation and reduce the likelihood of harm. When incidents occur, staff respond in line with agreed plans to minimise impact and reduce risk. The consistent approach supports children to feel safe, and any incidents are minimal and managed. The home’s arrangements reflect an understanding of risk and commitment to creating a nurturing environment.

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

Children’s behaviour is managed positively. There have been no physical interventions since the last inspection. Staff promote positive behaviour through clear, consistent strategies. Children’s plans are detailed, regularly updated and informed by psychological formulations provided by the home’s therapist. Care plans are informed by this approach, which helps children feel understood and supported. This contributes to a calm and settled environment where children can thrive.

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

Children do not go missing from the home. However, staff are knowledgeable should this occur. Staff understand safeguarding responsibilities and demonstrate readiness to respond to potential risks.

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

Multi-agency relationships are strong and effective. Professionals consistently provide positive feedback about the home’s collaborative approach. Communication with external agencies is regular and timely. Information is shared effectively to manage risks and potential concerns, ensuring that children’s welfare and safety are promoted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An experienced registered manager provides strong leadership. The management team has recently been strengthened with the addition of two senior staff and a deputy manager. This structure is still being embedded. However, it is a development that is expected to enhance the quality and consistency of care. Professionals describe the manager as visible and approachable with a strong focus on advocacy for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staffing arrangements are well managed. Leaders demonstrate foresight in planning for future vacancies and consider the impact on children’s experiences. Reduced reliance on agency and relief staff has improved stability and supported consistency in care and positive outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. Supervision is reflective and child-focused, providing time for staff to consider their practice and the needs of children. Staff are supported to develop their knowledge and skills. Training is reviewed through supervision. The registered manager monitors progress effectively. This ensures that staff are equipped to provide good-quality care and safeguard children. The registered manager is confident that staff have the skills required to meet children’s needs effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: SC069618 5 Staff have access to qualification opportunities. Staff are expected to gain a recognised qualification to inform their ability to provide high-quality care. However, not all staff have the appropriate qualification to care for children, and for some staff this is out of the required timescales. Inspection report for children’s home: SC069618 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that where a child is placed in a home are not participating in education, the child is supported and enabled to resume full-time education as soon as possible. In the interim, the child should be supported to sustain education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that all staff in a care role, including external agency or bank staff, must have the qualification in regulation 32(4) within the relevant timescale listed in regulation 32(5). (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 53, paragraph 10.12)

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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: SC069618 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: North East Lincolnshire Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Municipal Offices Town Hall Square, Grimsby, South Humberside DN31 1HU

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Inspector

Kate Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC069618 8 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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