Children's Home run by South Tyneside Council in South Tyneside

Unique reference number SC032701 Inspection date 22/03/2012 Inspector Deborah White Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 06/12/2011 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

This home provides care and accommodation for children who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is provided by the 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

This home was judged as good at the previous inspection in December 2011. This interim inspection judges the home has made good progress demonstrating action is taken to address shortfalls and improve outcomes for children. All recommendations from the last inspection are met and there are no new requirements or recommendations arising from this visit.

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Progress

The home has made excellent progress since the last inspection. All children are now in education or work placements and are achieving their maximum potential. Measures are in place to support children who, in the future, are not in school or work to encourage and support them into meaningful educational activities. Staff promote educational achievement and have high aspirations for children. There are good links to local schools and employment opportunities and the home has networked with other professionals who support children who are struggling to maintain a school or workplace routine.

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Progress

Children’s health needs are very well met. New healthcare plans are detailed and informative. Children’s medical history is recorded and will be given to each child when they leave the home so they know important healthcare data they will need in later life, for example, records of immunisations and previous medical treatments and operations. Children’s current health needs are recorded with strategies as to how these will be met. Children actively contribute to their healthcare plans to ensure they are consulted about important health related decisions. Children have access to a range of external healthcare professionals to ensure they receive holistic care.

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Progress

Children report there is no bullying in the home. Since the last inspection the home have arranged countering bullying workshops for the children to think and talk about the effects of bullying. Children have engaged in painting pictures of what it feels like to be bullied and this had led to discussions about how to positively stop bullying to ensure children feel safe and secure. The home also arranged a visit from the local ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ team to talk to the children in how to combat racism and promote equality and diversity.

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Progress

Consultation with parents has improved significantly since the last inspection. The Registered Manager and Regulation 33 visitors have looked at innovative ways to involve parents in children’s care and the operation of the home. Feedback from parents is positive and clearly shows parents’ views are important.

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Progress

Feedback from children is also very positive. Children feel valued and respected. Children feel listened to and that their wishes and feelings are taken into account. Relationships with staff are very good and the current resident group socialise together appropriately.

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Progress

Staff continue to be motivated and committed to the care of children. Leadership and management in the home is a strength, which ensures children are cared for in a stable, well-organised environment.

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Progress

There have been a significant number of exceptional developments in the home since the last inspection. The ethos of the home is that outcomes are now driven by the children. The home has changed its name from being an adolescent unit to a children’s home to signal to children that the home provides a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to grow and develop at their own pace.

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Progress

Children now actively contribute to their residential care plans giving each child a voice in their care and welfare. Each child writes their own plan of what they consider their areas of strengths and where they feel they need support. Children list their own strategies of how they feel their needs can be met and what support they want from the adults who care for them. Staff then contribute how they will support each child and the finished plan is only actioned once the child has agreed the plan is right for them.

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Progress

Children are also empowered to make decisions about how they will be looked after by taking a lead role in their statutory placement reviews. With the agreement of the Registered Manager and Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO) the home is running a pilot scheme where children are offered the opportunity to orchestrate their reviews. This will include children deciding who will be invited to their review; where the review will be held and what items will be on the open agenda and what private issues can be discussed independently with the IRO. A child who has had the opportunity to lead their own review reported the experience was very good and helped the child to be actively involved in the review decision making process.

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Progress

Children’s consultation has improved and there are good examples where consultation has led to a change in practice. For example, children completed a questionnaire about their allowances and pocket money. The children’s responses were realistic and reasonable. Based on feedback from the children some allowances were raised and the home also introduced a saving scheme to help children learn how to save and budget. Children felt they were listened to and were happy with the outcomes of the exercise.

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Progress

There are also plans in place to involve children in ascertaining their views about staff development and performance. Children will be given the opportunity to share their thoughts about how they are supported by individual staff members. Staff are fully on board with children contributing to their performance and promote a philosophy of openness and transparency about their day to day practice.

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Progress

Children continue to live in a home that is furnished and decorated to a very high standard. Children are proud of their home and enjoy contributing to the home's upkeep and appearance. For example, children are consulted about the internal décor and have recently helped to prepare the gardens for summer by planting flowers and tidying up the outdoor furniture.

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