Children's Home run by Evolution Children Services Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Unique reference number SC382595 Inspection date 24/02/2014 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 20/08/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is registered to care for up to five young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The registered provider of the home is a limited 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 inspection in August 2013, the overall effectiveness rating of the home was adequate. The home has made satisfactory progress since the last inspection. Young people remain well-cared for and safe. Several young people seen at the time of the inspection appeared very happy. They were relaxed, confident and sociable with both staff and visitors. One young person said, ‘I’ve not been here long but its ok so far,’ another young person said, ‘it’s ok here.’

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Progress

Three requirements and four recommendations were made at the last inspection. Two requirements and three recommendations have been fully met. One requirement and one recommendation have been partially met. A new recommendation has also been made as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

The two requirements that have been fully met are to ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline a written record is made in a volume kept for that purpose and to maintain in respect of each child a record in a permanent form which includes all the records referred to in Schedule 3. The home’s manager has reviewed the home’s restraint records and new documentation has been produced. Written records now fully comply with national minimum standards and regulations. This means that a full and accurate record of the use of any hold or restraint used within the home is maintained and young people are safeguarded. Additionally, the home’s manager has reviewed each young person’s case file. All essential information relating to the young person’s care whilst living at the home is recorded in their case files. This means that a full and accurate record of their stay at

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Progress

The requirement that is only partially met is to maintain in the home all the records specified in Schedule 4, specifically to record all the valuables deposited by the young person on their arrival. Staff at the home has listed all the belongings of the young people as they arrive at the home. However, the description of those belongings is a general description and is not specific. This means that staff and young people have no detailed record to refer to if items go missing or are replaced and as such conflicts may occur.

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Progress

The recommendations that have been fully met are to support young people to develop practical skills and activities for daily living, to ensure each young person pursues individual hobbies and interests and to ensure the views, wishes and feelings of young people are acted upon in the day to day running of the home. Staff at the home has developed a comprehensive independent living skills package for each young person to follow. The training package follows a logical format and covers a wide range of skills that young person can learn. This means that successful completion of the package will assist young people to make a successful transition into adulthood and to live independently. Staff at the home has also spoken with young people at length to determine what hobbies and interests they have and what new activities they would like to try. As a consequence of this young people are able to enjoy a diverse range of activities like quad biking, dance classes, paint balling

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Progress

and even walking through the woods late at night with torches. This helps young people to develop their self-esteem and self-confidence. Regular meetings take place in the home between staff and young people and written records are retained of the content of the discussions held. This helps to ensure the thoughts of young people about the running of the home are known and their comments are heard. This helps young people to feel listened to.

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Progress

The recommendation that was only partly met is in relation to the home’s development plan. The development plan is very thorough and comprehensive. However it does not record the progress of any development that has been made. Staff and young people do not know what the strengths and weaknesses of the home are. They are also unaware of how the running of the home has improved.

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Progress

The new recommendation is in relation to pathway planning for young people who are nearing the time when they have to leave the home. Young people do not have detailed pathway plans in place that show what their needs are and how they will be met. This means that young people do not know what support they can expect to receive to help them live independently and to make a successful transition into adulthood. The home has made progress in other areas. A psychologist has been commissioned to provide staff with training in relation to child development and personality, attachment theory and challenging behaviour. The advice and training given by the psychologist will help staff to learn new strategies in dealing with young people who display challenging behaviours.

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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) maintain in the children's home the records specified in Schedule 4 and ensure that they are kept up to date. (Regulation 29) 30/04/2014

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that the registered person has a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home (NMS 15.2)  contribute toward the development of each child's care plan, including the pathway plan for "eligible" care leavers and works collaboratively with the young person's social worker or personal adviser in implementing the plan. (NMS 12.2)

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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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