Children's home run by Hull City Council

Inspection report for children's home: 2569527 1 Registered provider: Hull City 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 operated by a local authority. It provides care for one child who may have learning disabilities and/or experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since July 2025 and after being interviewed by Ofsted is newly registered.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of inspection, with whom the inspector spoke with.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2569527 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2025 Full Good 28/11/2023 Full Good 06/12/2022 Full Good 02/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2569527 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has formed positive, trusting relationships with staff. The child speaks warmly about the staff and enjoys spending time with them, including the manager. The child said, ‘I like [Name of manager], he has the same sense of humour as me.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made notable progress in their education, after being helped to overcome several challenges along the way. The child has gained awards for their engagement in school as well as completing their GCSE exams. This is significant progress from their starting point. The child also attended their school prom with help and encouragement from staff. The child is making progress and having experiences that they may not have had if they did not live at this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have helped the child with their health needs. The child has developed a healthy eating plan with help from staff. This has allowed the child to develop a routine of healthy activities, such as swimming and ice skating, improving the child’s health and social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is not currently in further education. Previous plans could not progress due to further support being needed. Staff have provided high levels of emotional support for the child during this time to help them develop confidence in their own abilities. This support has helped the child to feel more confident around plans for education as they work toward taking the next step to engagement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have worked consistently to build the child’s self-esteem. This has meant that the child’s emotional wellbeing has improved significantly. The child is gaining experience in the community, such part-time employment. The child’s confidence has increased by engaging in activities with staff and different clubs. This has given the child new skills and a sense of accomplishment.

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

Staff work effectively with external professionals to safeguard the child. This is demonstrated through their active involvement in multi-disciplinary meetings, risk management forums and regular joint work with the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). These efforts have ensured that risks are fully understood and that safety planning is consistently reviewed and effective. This means that the child was able to return home to a place where she has secure relationships with adults.

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

Staff have a clear understanding of the specific risks that the child presents and are alert to situations or triggers when these risks may escalate. Staff have regular conversations with the child to help them understand their own risks and make safer choices. This means that the child is supported to take age-appropriate and carefully assessed risks. Inspection report for children's home: 2569527 4 There are plans to gradually increase the child’s independence as their confidence and awareness around safety improve.

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

Incidents of self-injurious behaviours for the child have significantly decreased. While risks relating to ligatures remain and continue to be monitored closely, incidents have reduced in seriousness and frequency. Staff provide consistent emotional and practical support to help the child develop safer coping strategies.

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

There has been a notable reduction in both the frequency of missing-from-home episodes and the level of risk the child is exposed to. This progress is strongly linked to the positive, trusting relationships that the child has formed with staff. When the child goes missing from home, staff take prompt action to look for the child and maintain close communication with external agencies to support the child to return home safely. However, when staff are unable to find or contact the child later at night, staff go to bed and await a phone call or an update from the police. Although the child can contact the staff as well as other agencies, this is not in keeping with the expectations set out in ‘missing-from-home’ policy.

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

The manager is registered at this home and manages another home for the same provider. They have settled well into the role. However, there are some gaps in their oversight. The manager’s oversight regarding missing-from-care incidents and staff practice around these events are not sufficient. Records lack reflective analysis following serious events. This limits the opportunities for learning and improvement.

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

Risk assessments do not provide staff with clear guidance on the actions required when identified risks occur. While there is evidence of good risk management in practice, this is not captured in written records. This leaves staff without a reliable point of reference. Furthermore, communication needs arising from the child’s diagnosis are not captured in care plans. Although this diagnosis has been identified in the child’s annual medical review, there is no evidence that the effect on the child’s daily life has been considered.

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

Staff’s practice-related supervision sessions are not taking place within required timescales and discussions lack reflection. This reduces the opportunity to support staff development and maintain consistent practice across the team.

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

The manager does not clearly evidence the child’s progress in the home. There is an expectation that staff understand what is required when completing documents and safeguarding the child. This is not evidenced by records or measurable outcomes. As a result, progress cannot be effectively tracked or reflected on.

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

Staff training is not kept up to date. The manager’s oversight of training schedules is not effective, meaning that staff are out of date for a number of training courses. The manager has plans to better monitor training. However, this is not yet in place. Inspection report for children's home: 2569527 5 The manager has a strong understanding of the child’s needs and the risks around unwanted behaviours. The manager is well respected by staff in the home as well as social workers. Parents of the child speak highly of the manager and his relationship with the child.

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

Staff consistently attend CAMHS reflective sessions. These sessions ensure that staff remain focused on the child’s needs and explore effective strategies to help the child cope with their emotions. Staff show a commitment to understanding the child’s wellbeing by reflecting on their own responses to the child. Inspection report for children's home: 2569527 6

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Statutory requirements

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

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the manager has systems in place to review documents and have thorough oversight of the service. This includes ensuring that supervisions are completed in a timely manner. 25 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that staff— 25 March 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2569527 7 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

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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: 2569527 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hull City Council

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Gary Smithson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2569527 9 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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