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

Unique reference number SC033642 Inspection date 07/01/2014 Inspector Nicholas Murphy Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 31/07/2013 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

The home’s last full inspection was in July 2013, when its overall effectiveness was judged as good. One statutory requirement was made, that the Registered Manager inform Ofsted of any notifiable incidents. This has been addressed, and ensures that Ofsted is able to monitor serious events taking place in the home. The home demonstrates further capacity to improve. The Registered Manager monitors patterns and trends and identifies areas where positive changes in practice can be made. For example, one member of staff is responsible for gathering more detailed information from schools in relation to young people’s attainments. This enables staff to target areas where young people are under-achieving and so improve outcomes.

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Progress

The fabric of the home is good. A programme of upgrading the bathrooms has been completed, and new flooring in the upstairs corridors has been installed. Maintaining the environment conveys to young people that they are valued. Staff ensure that young people have a strong voice in both the running of the home and their individual care plans. For example, young people spend time with the cook discussing meal choices. As a result of these discussions the pattern of meals has been altered, which is better at suiting the needs of young people while reducing food waste. A new pool table has been obtained as a result of young people making a bid through a local funding scheme. The colour of the new flooring was chosen by young people. It is clear that young people feel totally comfortable with sharing their views with staff and are confident that staff listen.

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Progress

Several young people have left the home since the last inspection and have moved on positively. Some newly-admitted young people have experienced difficulties in settling in, although all have made improvements in their education attendance and attainment. Young people who have been here for some time have made substantial progress. One young person said, ‘I’ve come on massively since being here, I’m a different person. Everything is different, it’s not just about me growing up but what the staff have done for me, I have matured more and I enjoy education. My grades used to be Es and Fs, now I’m getting Cs, I’m really pleased.’

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Progress

The home keeps young people safe. Young people confirm that bullying is not an issue for them, and that when it has happened staff step in immediately. Staff manage any disagreements between young people using a restorative approach, and mediating between young people where necessary. Handling issues in this way enables young people to gain an understanding of other people’s feelings as well as their own. Young people sometimes return late from being out but there are no incidents where they go missing for long periods. Staff liaise with other agencies, such as police, to keep their knowledge of local issues up to date; for example, any emerging threats of child sexual exploitation. Being proactive in this way ensures that young people are kept safe from harm.

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Progress

Staff are very effective in supporting young people and meeting their needs. They give young people time and attention, helping them to deal with difficulties in their lives and building their confidence. Programmes of care are very comprehensive and kept updated. The provider is in the process of computerising some records. This enables social workers to see daily observations of young people by staff as well as ensuring that the home can access relevant documentation held in the social work office. This has a positive impact upon young people by ensuring that the whole care team, inside and outside the home, works cooperatively to secure good outcomes.

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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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