Children's home run by Hartlepool Borough Council in Hartlepool

Inspection report for children’s home: SC472417 1 SC472417 Registered provider: Hartlepool Borough 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 up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were 4 children living at the home at the time of the inspection, and all were spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2021.

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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: 21 January 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: SC472417 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/01/2025 Full Good 13/02/2024 Full Good 08/03/2023 Full Good 10/11/2022 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: SC472417 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with a stable and loving home with consistent and predictable boundaries, underpinned by trusting relationships. The home is maintained to a high standard. This shows children that they are valued and that they deserve nice surroundings. Children say they like living at the home and feel part of a wider family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager carefully considers the needs of all new children who come to live in the home and any negative effects it may have on the child and the other children. Children visit the home and get to know the staff and their peers before they move in. This helps children start to develop early relationships, which reduces their anxiety and makes their moves more positive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff value education and encourage children to attend school. When children refuse to attend, staff are diligent in following a structured routine. This helps prepare children for their return to the classroom. Staff communicate effectively with other professionals, to find alternative education provisions when arrangements do not meet children’s needs. As a result, most children are making educational progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff listen to children and capture their views in individual work and through children’s meetings. Children contribute to their care planning, and any decisions made in the home. Staff support children to take part in the Children’s Social Care Council, which builds their confidence in speaking up.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to develop a range of practical skills in preparation for living more independently. This includes ensuring that children can make safe decisions about relationships, finances and being safe. When the manager feels the plan for a child increases their vulnerability, they effectively advocate for a more suitable option. This means children move on from the home when they are prepared to do so.

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

Children have up-to-date plans and risk assessments, with clear guidance for staff to keep them safe. Staff know and understand children’s risks and recognise subtle changes in children’s behaviour, taking prompt action to protect them when needed. The children all say that they feel safe at the home.

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

Staff follow procedures when a child is missing from home. They are diligent in trying to locate children and maintain good communication with children’s families. Staff are curious about the reasons children go missing and support them to make safer decisions. This has helped reduce the number of missing episodes for children.

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

Staff know the online risks children can face. Staff work with children to develop their skills and abilities to recognise early warning signs and how to protect themselves. Staff Inspection report for children’s home: SC472417 4 are proactive in safeguarding children while they process and take onboard their new learning.

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

Staff support children with positivity. They help children to recognise and manage strong feelings that lead to negative behaviours. When children’s behaviour aversely effects on one other, staff provide opportunities for children to take responsibility for their actions and to repair relationships. Staff de-escalate situations effectively, and children are rarely held to keep everyone safe.

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

There is a clear process for the management and administration of medication. When an error occurs, the manager fully investigates and takes effective action. Such practice prevents the likelihood of the same error happening again.

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

Staff are skilled in having difficult and sensitive conversations with children. Reflective group discussions with a therapist, ensures that this work increases children’s confidence and self-esteem. Children trust staff and seek out their advice and guidance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is qualified, experienced, and highly motivated to provide good quality care for children. They lead by example, setting high standards for staff to follow and helping children have positive childhood experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager prioritises staff training and progress towards the required qualification. They provide tailored training to meet children’s emerging needs. Staff feel supported and valued by the manager and there is low staff turnover. This provides stability for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective and efficient monitoring and review processes. The manager knows what is happening in the home and takes the initiative to ensure that necessary improvements lead to continued quality of care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and her team work collaboratively with partner professionals involved in the children’s care. They provide regular updates and clear communication. Professionals consistently praise the depth of the relationships staff have with children and recognise that this is the foundation for the progress children make.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings, staff appraisals and supervision sessions take place regularly. Reflective group discussions about safeguarding children, ensure staff think about what works well and how best to support children as a team. However, staff do not consistently reflect on their practice individually in supervision sessions. This prevents a deeper understanding of their practice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC472417 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision sessions to discuss their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. These sessions should allow 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 13.2)

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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: SC472417 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hartlepool Borough Council, Civic Centre, Victoria Road, Hartlepool TS24 8AY

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Inspector

Lisa Gordon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC472417 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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