Children's Home run by Darlington Borough Council in Darlington

Unique reference number SC037861 Inspection date 16/03/2012 Inspector Stephen Graham Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/10/2011 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 local authority children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three children of either sex, aged 12 years to 17 years. It is registered to care for young people whose main needs arise from emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Progress

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

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Progress

The home was judged as good at the last full inspection. Since then, the manager and staff team have worked very effectively to further improve the service. The one action and three recommendations made at that visit have all been implemented in full.

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Progress

Visits to monitor the quality of care provided to young people living at the home take place on behalf of the registered provider. The arrangements for these visits have been improved to ensure that they occur at the frequency required by regulation and that all necessary matters are covered. The staff team now receive regular supervision and additional training opportunities. The records and plans of staff training have been improved and now clearly demonstrate the levels of training provided. The record of supervision has also been improved and now includes a clear record of these meetings with relief staff members working at the home. The staff team are very experienced in working with children and young people and overall, are well qualified. All of the staff team currently working at the home have completed their recommended level three training.

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Progress

The manager and staff team use a combination of group meetings, surveys, newsletters and individual discussions to consult with young people, their parents and others involved in their care. This helps to ensure that the wishes and feelings of young people and those involved in their care are taken into consideration. The manager and staff team maintain detailed records which demonstrate how views and ideas received are incorporated into the day to day running of the home.

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Progress

Those young people who have come to live at the home since the last inspection, spoke very positively regarding the efforts made by staff to help them settle in quickly and comfortably. One described how they had visited and spent the day talking with staff and meeting other young people. A second young person described how they had been introduced to staff and their key worker, been shown around the home and had the facilities explained to them. All young people living at the home are attending school or college regularly. One described how they had not attended regularly prior to coming to live at the home. They now attend regularly and they highlighted the encouragement and support received from staff which has helped them to achieve this. Young people also describe their access and participation in leisure and recreation activities very positively. Again, they highlight the support they receive from staff to initially access and then to maintain their positive participation

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