Children's Home run by Darlington Borough Council in Darlington

Unique reference number SC068000 Inspection date 27/11/2013 Inspector Stephen Smith Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/04/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is local authority managed and provides care and accommodation for up to three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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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

The home was last inspected in April 2013. At this full inspection it was judged to be good.

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Progress

At the full inspection one recommendation was made. This related to the home’s risk assessment covering staff working in the home alone as it was not sufficiently detailed or wide ranging. The home has addressed this recommendation. It now has a suitable risk assessment in place which is supported by clear procedural guidance. In practice this is effective in identifying in which circumstances it is appropriate for a single staff member to be on duty in the home. For example, following a recent admission, the home’s risk assessment identified that two staff members should be on duty at all times and the home has implemented this arrangement.

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Progress

The home continues to provide good quality of care which promotes good outcomes for the young people who live there. Young people access a range of health services, including dentists and opticians, as well as those dealing with their psychological well-being. Staff provide young people with positive encouragement and support to access any primary or specialist health input they need. Consequently, young people’s health is improved. Young people make very strong progress in their academic achievement and emotional development. Academic achievement levels of young people who have lived at the home for some time are very high and young people begin to make good progress soon after admission.

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Progress

Behaviour management in the home is effective and young people develop excellent relationships with the staff team. This helps them to develop their emotional resilience. Sanctions are rarely used; the staff team work most effectively by making agreements with young people and rewarding good behaviour. Where young people challenge the home or demonstrate behaviour which is inappropriate or risky to themselves and others, the home works well with a range of other services to address this. For example, the home works very effectively to safeguard young people who are at risk from going missing or being absent without authority. Work to reduce this behaviour is good as is the home’s work to safeguard young people and ensure their well-being while they are absent from the home and on their return.

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Progress

Placement planning in the home is effective. Admission arrangements are based on the needs of all young people and are flexible to reflect changed circumstances. Placement plans are clear, and address in detail each young person’s needs, including those relating to culture and identity. The staff team monitor and review these plans on a daily basis to ensure they are reflective of the young person’s need. The home works effectively with other agencies to ensure that young people receive the services they need.

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Progress

The home is well managed. The staff team understand their roles and those of other team members. They work well together to meet young people’s needs. Both the internal and external monitoring of the home’s operation is good. It robustly identifies any strengths or areas for development and includes a process for monitoring the action taken in response to any issues raised. Both internal and external monitoring takes into account the views of young people, their families and their social workers. This ensures that the home’s work is effective in meeting young people’s needs.

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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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