Children's Home run by Acorn Care (UK) Limited in Darlington

Unique reference number SC390751 Inspection date 30/01/2012 Inspector Deborah White Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 22/07/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children who may experience a range of social, emotional and behavioural problems. The home is run by a private company.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

This home was judged as satisfactory at the previous inspection in July 2011. This interim inspection judges the home has made good progress demonstrating action is taken to address shortfalls and improve outcomes for children. All the statutory requirements are met and four out of six recommendations are met. There are two recommendations from the last inspection and three new recommendations to address, which do not significantly impact on young people's welfare.

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Progress

Monitoring at the home is very good. Regulation 33 reports are robust and where shortfalls are identified there is a clear audit trail that shows the Registered Manager is actively meeting actions identified to improve the home's performance and outcomes for children. Notifications of significant events are provided to Ofsted in a timely manner and regular updates keep Ofsted up-to-date with important information about children's welfare.

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Progress

Safeguarding records are much improved to ensure leaders and managers can monitor and, where appropriate, challenge day-to-day practice at the home. The reasons why children are restrained are fully explained but not all entries include comments from children to ascertain how they feel about being physically handled. Complaints are taken seriously and responded to in a timely manner to promote children's rights. Full and satisfactory checks are carried out on all new starters to protect children from potential abusers.

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Progress

There is a significant improvement in the presentation of the home that makes the environment a pleasant, comfortable, homely place for children to live. Children were consulted about the new décor and furniture and are proud to show visitors around. The children's room in particular is very popular. Access to a flat screen television linked to a computer gives children a place to socialise and enjoy normal everyday teenage activities.

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Progress

Children feel consulted and key worker sessions provide an opportunity for children to talk about their placement plans. There are some good samples of child-friendly, age appropriate information to engage children in their care and the homes expectations. However, the children's guide does not include contact details of important agencies who are there to offer independent safeguards to children. For example, Ofsted's address and details about how to contact children's Independent Reviewing Officer.

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Progress

Children are cared for by staff who are motivated and committed. Children relate very well to staff and feel they are listened to. Staff are supported and feel valued, which reflects in how they perform positively at work. Regular supervision is carried out but the records do not include the duration of supervision to show that staff are given ample opportunity to talk about how it is to work at the home and how they feel they can improve outcomes for children. There has been some positive staff training since the last inspection but the home do not have an adequate number of staff trained to National Vocational Qualification at level 3 or a level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma.

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Progress

Most children are achieving well in their educational outcomes. Staff work closely with education providers to support children who have engaged in bespoke educational packages that meets their needs. However, where children are not attending school there are not always educational plans in place to provide for a structured school day to help children maintain their school routine in preparation for their return into the classroom.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure where restraint is used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home (NMS 3.18)  ensure the children's guide includes Ofsted's address and information about how to contact their Independent Reviewing Officer (NMS 13.5)  ensure all existing staff have attained a minimum National Vocational Qualification at level 3 and all new staff engaged from April 2011 hold the level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma (NMS 18.5)  ensure the written records for staff supervision detail the length of each supervision (NMS 19.5)  ensure children who are not in school have access to appropriate education and training. (NMS 8.8)

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