Children's Home run by North East Autism Society in Durham

Unique reference number SC458754 Inspection date 13/03/2014 Inspector Deborah White 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

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for eleven young people with autism and a learning disability. The home is operated by a private provider.

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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

This children’s home had a full inspection on 31 July 2013 with an overall judgement of good. The home continues to make good progress.

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Progress

Children are settled, happy and are making good progress. Relationships with staff are positive and respectful. Children’s health needs are met and they live a healthy lifestyle. A staff member said, ‘All the children are great, they are doing really well. This is good place for children to live.’

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Progress

The environment is very much improved. Staff have worked hard to make the home a more comfortable place to live. The internal décor and furnishings are of a high standard and the introduction of new fixtures, pictures, and accessories create a more a homely feel. A child said, ‘It’s nice here and I like my bedroom.’

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Progress

There are a range of activities that give children meaningful leisure time. Individual interests and hobbies are encouraged and community amenities are utilised. Children enjoy celebrating special occasions, such and birthdays and holiday festivities. Regular themed nights help children to learn and understand different cultures and lifestyles. A child said, 'I like to ride my bike and I like my toys.' Staff morale is good. A staff member said, ‘It has never been better here. We have had some ups and downs but it’s great now.’ Staff training is good and new starters are subject to a probationary period. There is an induction programme in place prior to staff starting a more comprehensive induction workbook. New staff are mentored and shadow experience staff to observe good practice. This ensues new staff understand their role and the needs of the children.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has worked hard to make the organisation of the home more robust. Documentation is systematic and stored securely. Regular monitoring is undertaken to regulate the home's performance and development. And, staff feel more supported and valued. A staff member said, 'The management is good. We know what is expected and all the managers are approachable.'

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Progress

Recommendations from the last inspection are met, which demonstrates the home are improving. There is now an external doorbell fitted to alert staff of visitors to the home. The standard of recording is improved and there is a written staff rota that shows staffing levels.

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Progress

There have been some staff recruitment and retention difficulties and as a result there are some staff vacancies. Most staffing shortfalls are covered by regular staff to ensure consistency and staff work flexibly to meet the needs of the children. For the majority of time children are cared for by experienced staff who have the skills and training they need. However, there is some use of agency staff.

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Progress

Agency staff are mainly used on a waking night duty on one of the two floors of the children's home. The home tries to use the same agency staff but this is not always possible. This means there are occasions when children are being cared for by lone- working agency staff who are not familiar with the children’s needs and individual behaviour management plans on that floor. Children may be caused distress if they wake up to carers they do not know or recognise. There is, however a sleep-in staff member to support agency staff.

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Progress

Minimum staffing levels are maintained and staff feel there are enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the children. There are experienced senior staff on most shifts who are the nominated person in charge (PIC). However, there are some very occasional short shifts of two to three hours where there is no identified PIC and therefore no-one is identified as being responsible and accountable for the children’s home or the safety and welfare of the children living there. There have also been occasions where staff who are in their probationary period of employment have taken charge of the home in the absence of the Registered Manager for short periods of time. On these occasions senior managers operate an on call system.

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Progress

There are no requirements and one recommendation arising from this inspection.

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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 staff members who are placed in charge of the home and other staff at particular times have substantial relevant experience of working in the home and have successfully completed their induction and probationary periods (NMS 15.5).

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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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