Children's home run by City of Doncaster Council

Inspection report for children's home: 2701185 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

A local authority runs this children's home. It is registered to provide care and support for up to 4 children with social and emotional difficulties. Four children currently live in the home and were spoken to during the inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 19 August 2022 and is suitably qualified.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children's home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 18 November 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2701185 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/11/2024 Full Outstanding 14/11/2023 Full Good 17/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2701185 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is a warm, welcoming environment and is maintained to a very high standard. Children feel safe and cared for. One child said that staff go above and beyond to support them. Children's bedrooms are highly individualised and personal and create safe and homely spaces for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children take an active role in planning activities. Children are supported by staff to have new experiences and make lasting positive memories. The leadership team and staff support children's milestones and their achievements are celebrated. Staff are creative, thoughtful and dedicated to giving the children the best childhood. Children say that this is the best home they have lived in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are encouraged to develop positive relationships with each other through restorative practice and by engaging in shared experiences. Important family members are highly positive about the level of care and support provided to them and the children by staff. Children have regular access to an advocate and are confident that their views are listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Transitions for children moving in and out of the home are well considered and are positive experiences for children. When considering the profiles of potential children coming to live in the home, the registered manager is a strong advocate for ensuring minimal impact on the children already living in the home. The registered manager considers the existing needs of each of the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Three children are attending education and 2 children have made excellent progress at school since coming to live in the home. One child is not attending education or training; however, there is a plan in place to address this. The child is supported by staff to maintain a healthy daily routine and complete education in the home.

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

The registered manager and staff are committed to keeping children safe. The staff are persistent and robust in their efforts and manage challenging incidents through effective multi-agency working and coordinated responses to keep all children safe. Staff understand risks, and robust safety plans are in place. Children say that they feel safe and are confident in talking to staff about their worries.

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

When physical interventions have been used, these have been as a last resort. Staff work with children to help them understand when restrictions have been necessary and use restorative practice to maintain positive relationships between children and staff.

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

Restorative practice and trauma-informed practice are threaded within the culture of the home and well understood by the registered manager and staff. Staff listen to children Inspection report for children's home: 2701185 4 and offer non-judgemental support, demonstrating professional curiosity and sensitivity when speaking to children about difficult subjects.

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

When children go missing from home, the staff respond in line with agreed processes to help children return safely. The registered manager and staff liaise appropriately with the police and relevant professionals to ensure the safety of the child. Children are routinely provided with independent return home interviews to explore the risks that they face while missing from home. Staff show curiosity and talk with children after they have gone missing to understand where they have been and to develop children's awareness of risk.

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

Support is sought for children from relevant specialised outside agencies. This includes support from appropriate mental health agencies. The support is targeted to address specific risk factors and improve outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by a highly dedicated leadership team. An experienced registered manager is in place, who has a clear plan for staff development. Staff are empowered to take the lead and feel valued, which builds their confidence. Staff can contribute ideas to planning for the care of children and are listened to by the registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A stable core team of staff ensures consistency and security for children. The registered manager has created a highly positive culture within the home with a strong focus on the wellbeing of staff and children. The registered manager and deputy manager continue to cover shifts in the home, which allows them to lead by example.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team are skilled communicators and work efficiently with professionals involved in caring for children. The registered manager and deputy are proactive in seeking support for children and take decisive action through a multi-agency approach where there is an escalation in risk. The social worker for a child described the support as 'incredible' and said that the staff are very good at listening to what the child wants. A professional from a child's education provision described the home as one of the best they have worked with.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and deputy manager have robust auditing processes in place to ensure that children's case records are kept up to date and contain all the required information. Updates to children's plans and risk assessments are promptly distributed to the team of staff and the professionals involved in caring for the children. The registered manager has effective oversight of all incidents and the key work completed with children. This approach promptly identifies any learning from interventions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Some medication errors have taken place. Medication administration has been reviewed by the deputy manager, with further oversight by the registered manager, and a clear plan has been introduced for further staff training and development. Inspection report for children's home: 2701185 5

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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: 2701185 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

Sarah Adotey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2701185 7 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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