Children's Home run by Durham County Council in Durham

Unique reference number SC449096 Inspection date 30/01/2014 Inspector Leonard Hird Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 10/09/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This children's home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and who require to be looked after initially for a short period of time. The provider is a local authority.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

p.3

Progress

The children's home was judged to be overall good at the last full inspection that was undertaken on 10 September 2013. The home is working with young people to develop and improve their lives as well as ensuring their care and educational needs are addressed. Young people are continuing to make good progress from their initial starting point and some young people have made excellent progress particularly in the area of educational studies.

p.3

Progress

The home has made good progress by meeting all of the requirement and recommendations from the last inspection. The registered person has ensured that the staff rota now contains all of the information required by regulation. The staff team are good at supporting and promoting the education and achievement of the young people. The links between schools and the home is helping to make sure young people’s care needs and progress are communicated effectively and appropriately addressed. Young people’s care plans are linked to pupil’s educational needs and, where appropriate, include specific educational targets that can be addressed by the home. Staffing levels provide good opportunities for staff to give young people support and assistance to meet their individual needs and wishes. Members of staff indicated that they get the training they need to meet the needs of the young people. All statutory training is up-to-date and training needs are

p.3

Progress

discussed during staff appraisals. Staff access additional training to support their professional development.

p.4

Progress

Members of staff are ensuring that young people receive good levels of individual support and care. Detailed care records and plans are maintained on each young person's file and these are collated by a named key worker. These care plans are regularly monitored by a senior member of staff, the registered manager and the local authority's nominated visiting officer to ensure they are up-to-date and accurate. Young people, families and partner agencies are fully involved in this monitoring process. The monitoring process is helpings to ensure young people receive the levels of care, support and guidance that addresses their many and varied needs.

p.4

Progress

The home follows a clear corporate policy and procedure on safer recruitment and this is in line with the latest guidance from Department for Education (DfE). A detailed record of the employment process showing the advertising process, the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references and a verbal corroborative reference check is maintained on each member of staff's file. This information is maintained securely at the local authority's headquarters but if required can be accessed by the registered manager via a secure intranet link, at the home. This vetting process is ensuring only suitably qualified personnel work with vulnerable young people.

p.4

Progress

There are no new requirements or recommendations from this inspection.

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5