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

Unique reference number SC033642 Inspection date 30/01/2013 Inspector Nicholas Murphy Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides accommodation for up to six young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is provided by a local authority.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in August 2012 the home was judged to be good overall. No statutory requirements or recommendations to improve practice were made. The home has maintained its progress and improved outcomes for young people. One young person, when asked what he thought of the home, simply said, ‘it’s sweet here.’

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Progress

A minority of young people have found it a challenge to engage with education or training. However, most young people are doing well at school or in their work placement and have made improvements in attainment and attendance. It is clear that the efforts of staff to liaise with local providers, and advocate for the rights of young people, have had a positive impact on young people’s progress.

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Progress

Young people are enjoying better health. Some have done particularly well to improve their lifestyles by giving up smoking, stopping drug use or reducing alcohol intake. Staff work in close partnership with health agencies, which has a direct and measurable impact upon young people. For example, one member of staff receives regular clinical supervision from a child and adolescent mental health service professional. The advice and support given is then fed back to key workers who update the detail of plans for young people. As a result, strategies to support young people with emotional difficulties can be formulated and used consistently by the staff group. This creates a nurturing ethos in which young people feel valued.

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Progress

The home also works effectively with police and other local agencies to address the issue of child sexual exploitation. This has resulted in robust action being taken against people in the area who pose a risk to children. Staff have shared this information with young people and advised them how to keep themselves safe. As a result, young people are making more responsible choices and the number of times they go missing has significantly reduced. Within the home the group is generally settled and young people show consideration for others. There is little bullying. Although sanctions are used occasionally, the warm and respectful relationships between staff and young people ensure that bad behaviour is managed calmly and effectively.

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Progress

There continues to be excellent leadership within the home. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and all share a common focus on the needs and welfare of the young people. Records and case files are well organised, and young people’s plans are easy to understand and regularly updated. The Registered Manager’s monitoring of the home evaluates the progress that young people make and sets out areas for additional development. The leadership team is ambitious for further improvement, for example by seeking out specific training which will enhance the skills of staff in supporting young people.

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Progress

Staff know and value the importance of consultation with young people. Individual sessions with their key worker gives young people the opportunity to talk through difficulties and jointly devise ways of resolving them. The home has recently changed its layout, moving the office in order to make a larger lounge and making the chill- out room more suited to individual work. This was done in consultation with young people and provides better comfort, space and privacy. Additionally, the home’s semi-independent flat is fully operational. Young people spend periods of time there as part of their life-skills programme. Commendably, this work covers not only practical skills such as cooking and budgeting, but also addresses emotional issues, such as the potential for loneliness. Staff have asked ex-residents what additional support they would have found helpful before they left the home, and their comments are used to refine the content of the programme. This approach ensures

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Progress

that young people are prepared as fully as possible for the transition to adulthood.

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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.

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