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

Unique reference number SC390751 Inspection date 26/09/2013 Inspector Nicholas Murphy Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/04/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides accommodation for up to five young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private company.

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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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last full inspection in April 2013, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good. No statutory requirements or recommendations to improve practice were made.

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Progress

The home has made several improvements since the last inspection. A new games room has been brought into use, equipped and decorated in consultation with young people. This provides additional recreational opportunities for young people and so widens their choice of how to spend their leisure time. Some floor coverings have been replaced, maintaining the quality of the accommodation. Some alterations are also being made to the internal layout of the home, improving the safety and comfort of young people.

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Progress

The progress that young people are making is variable. Some have extremely complex emotional needs which has a profound impact upon their day-to-day behaviour. As a result, some need close supervision to keep them and others safe. However, all young people have reasonable levels of school attendance, while those who have left school have done well to achieve qualifications. Young people who are about to leave the home for more independent settings are adequately prepared to take more responsibility for themselves.

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Progress

Some young people present significant challenges within and outside the home. However, the detailed plans which are tailored to each young person’s needs and circumstances help staff to manage difficulties safely. Guided by the Registered Manager’s sound leadership, the approach of staff gives consistency and stability for young people. There are clear boundaries in place for young people. These help them to understand what is acceptable behaviour and learn better ways of coping with stress. One young person said, ‘It’s OK here. The rules are fair.’ Sometimes, staff need to use physical restraint, but this is only done to protect young people or others. Good recording of each restraint, including the views of the young person, ensures that there is robust accountability for its use. Some young people go missing on a regular basis. This is worrying, but the home is proactive in managing such incidents, for example by searching areas that young people are known to frequent.

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Progress

The Registered Manager also has close liaison with the local police in order to enhance effective partnership working.

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Progress

The home evaluates the progress that each young person makes on a monthly basis. This is helpful in identifying where extra work needs to be done to address issues of concern. However, the Registered Manager’s regular six-monthly monitoring does not provide for consultation with young people, their parents or social workers. This means that the opportunity is lost to take account of the views of those who use the service in order to improve it. Nevertheless, the home ensures that the voice of young people is heard, for example, through regular group meetings. Some of these meetings are attended by senior managers within the registered provider organisation. Suggestions made by young people are always considered, and, if agreed, swiftly implemented. This level of response conveys to young people that what they say matters, and that they have a real say in what goes on in the home.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) establish and maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided in the children’s home, specifically to provide for consultation with children accommodated in the home, their parents and placing authorities. (Regulation 34(3)) 31/10/2013

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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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