Children's home run by Hull City Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2837226 1 Registered provider: Hull City Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a local authority. The home provides care for up to 2 children who have physical or learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in July 2025. This is the home’s first inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection. The inspector spoke with both children.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2837226 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have secure and trusting relationships with staff who are familiar to them and children benefit from predictable, nurturing care. Professionals shared how children are thriving and receiving care that meets their individual needs.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well and are attuned to the children’s individual communication needs. They can accurately interpret the children’s wishes and feelings. Verbal communication is not a barrier to children expressing themselves. Children contribute to decisions about their daily lives. They have access to an independent advocate who provides additional opportunities for children to share their views.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in their education. Their achievements are recognised and celebrated. Education professionals have identified that children have increased participation, improved attention in sensory activities, and consistency in their engagement. This progress is attributed in part to the effective partnership between care and school staff.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Knowledgeable staff manage the children’s complex health needs effectively. Children access specialist health teams with whom staff work collaboratively. Health professionals describe staff as responsive and understanding of each child’s health needs. When needed, staff escalate any concerns with relevant professionals to ensure that children receive specialist support to meet their changing needs.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Personal care is respectful and sensitive to the children’s needs. Staff provide health-related care that promotes children’s comfort and dignity. Staff’s gentle, attuned approach ensures that children have their needs met without causing distress.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s relationships with people who are important to them are promoted and improved. Family members describe their family time with their children, supported by staff, as feeling like part of an extended family. They have no concerns about the care provided to their children.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in a range of activities that reflect their interests and needs. Staff actively seek out opportunities and adapt activities to ensure that children can participate. Staff are proactive in overcoming potential barriers to children’s engagement. For example, children have been supported to attend holidays through the purchase of a mobile hoist and trial use of mobile sleep systems that meet their needs. This means children can enjoy time with their families and engage in a range of activities that broaden their experiences. Inspection report for children’s home: 2837226 3

p.2

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

Children are safeguarded effectively. Staff understand children’s risks and act when needed to prevent harm. Staff are committed to children’s safety and wellbeing; they are confident in advocating for the right support. Professionals and family members are assured children experience emotional and physical safety. Their observations of children and staff’s relationships are described as warm, trusting, and secure.

p.3

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

Risk assessments identify the increased vulnerability created by the children’s complex health needs. Risk assessments provide clear, practical, and detailed guidance for staff to follow. Staff demonstrate confidence in using the children’s plans. They follow updated advice from the specialist health team where needed to promote safety. This means children are kept safe and protected from avoidable harm.

p.3

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

Children are protected from factors that could increase risk. For example, staff ensuring that children can leave the building in an emergency or knowing what to do should a child go missing. Staff maintain their knowledge of these safeguarding protocols, despite the low likelihood of such incidents occurring.

p.3

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

There are no restrictive practices used in the home. Staff have a clear understanding that such interventions are unnecessary and would not be proportionate for the children. Staff use de-escalation strategies that prevent situations from escalating into children being distress and increasing risk. The approaches are personalised, contributed to a strong understanding of each child’s communication cues, emotional needs, and health vulnerabilities. This means, children are supported in a respectful, non-intrusive way to stay safe.

p.3

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

Safer recruitment practices reduce the risk of unsuitable people working with children. Ongoing managerial monitoring of staff practice has established a culture where children’s safety is always prioritised.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s aspirational approach is evident in the culture at the home, where staff are supported to think ambitiously for the children. The staff are stable, committed and child-focused. They speak about the children with warm regard and demonstrate a commitment to helping them enjoy rich, meaningful lives. This means children experience care that is loving, ambitious and tailored to their individual needs.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s monitoring systems are effective. Her oversight is underpinned by a visible and approachable leadership style. The manager has direct oversight into children’s daily experiences and staff practice. She is actively involved in evaluating children’s progress and ensuring that the quality of care meets expectations and the children’s needs.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Multi-agency working is effective. Professionals recognise the manager and staff’s commitment to providing safe care for the children. Professionals report that Inspection report for children’s home: 2837226 4 communication from staff is frequent, and they feel fully updated about the children’s progress, and any emerging issues. Professionals are confident that they can contact the manager at any time if there are any concerns.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Practice-related supervision is not consistent. Wellbeing discussions are held to support staff outside of formal supervision sessions and these are now being recorded. This has provided an alternative opportunity for staff to share experiences and feel supported when supervision has been delayed. However, the lack of regular, formal supervision has limited opportunities for staff to learn and reflect on their practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff complete relevant qualifications and training to develop the knowledge and skills required for their roles. However, there are some staff not trained in the individualised health needs of the children. The effect of this is mitigated by other team members having the required training. Inspection report for children’s home: 2837226 5

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to: respond to the health needs of children; help children to manage long-term conditions and where necessary meet specific individual health needs arising from a disability, chronic condition or other complex needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.12)  The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff receive supervision of their practice 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 13.1)

p.5

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: 2837226 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Guildhall, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull HU1 2AA

p.6

Inspector

Kate Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2837226 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7