Children's Home run by Newcastle City Council in Newcastle upon Tyne

Unique reference number SC033642 Inspection date 06/03/2012 Inspector Nicholas Murphy Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/12/2011 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

The home provides accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is provided by a local authority.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the full inspection on 21 December 2011, the children's home was judged to be outstanding. At that inspection, several requirements and recommendations were made. The home has addressed all of these. As a result, the provider and the manager have improved external and internal monitoring of the home to assure good practice. The manager has revised the children’s guide to ensure that it contains all required information. In addition, young people now have access to a telephone at all reasonable times, and staff secure written parental consent for them to administer first aid to each young person if necessary.

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Progress

Young people are in good health. The home provides excellent, nutritious food and the enthusiasm of the staff encourages young people to use the kitchen themselves and thus gain confidence in their own cooking skills. Staff have developed close working arrangements with health and education services which means that young people’s needs can be met more effectively. Young people generally have good attendance at school and other educational provision, and staff celebrate achievement in this area to encourage further progress. Staff are particularly attuned to the individual needs of each young person and act assertively and proactively to keep young people safe. Bullying is rare and is dealt with in a way that gives confidence to young people that they will not come to harm. Staff enjoy excellent relationships with young people, creating an atmosphere within the home of trust, mutual respect and genuine affection. This enables staff to manage challenging

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Progress

behaviour in a positive way, with the result that staff hardly ever need to use physical restraint. Staff also use sanctions to deal with unwanted behaviour, but these are proportionate and appropriate. One young person said, ‘The sanctions are reasonable and fair and staff make sure I know why they’ve used them.’

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Progress

Staff write highly detailed care plans, risk assessments and associated documents which inform the day-to-day care of young people. These are updated very promptly in response to incidents and changing circumstances. The home has established very good recording and communication systems which ensure that all staff are aware of what is going on in young people’s lives at any one time. Leadership and management of the home remain strong, with a clear vision for improvement to which all staff are committed.

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Progress

The importance of listening to young people and taking their views seriously is a principle which is deeply embedded in practice within the home. Opportunities to make young people’s voices heard include group meetings and individual key worker sessions. This ensures that young people are made to feel that the home exists for them and that they have a significant influence on how it operates. For example, young people are involved in staff recruitment, devising and asking questions in candidates’ interviews. This helps to ensure that only people who have the right qualities to work positively and safely with young people are appointed.

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