Children's Home run by Durham County Council in Durham

Unique reference number SC035235 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Durham County Council Registered person address County Hall DURHAM DH1 5UL

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Responsible individual Karen Monica Robb Registered manager Bernadette Olney Date of last inspection 11/08/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 21/10/2014

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

Young people seen at the time of this inspection appeared happy and had a relaxed demeanour around staff. Young people remain well cared for and safe living at this home.

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This inspection

Two recommendations were made at the last inspection, one has been fully met and the other has not been met. The recommendation that has been met was to ensure that written records relating to the occasions when young people go missing are reviewed. Full details of all the actions taken by staff, and the time at which those actions took place are now clearly recorded. This includes the details of all discussions staff have with partner agencies, such as the police service. This means that a clear and accurate record of all incidents of young people being missing from home are retained and the safety of young people is promoted.

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This inspection

The recommendation that has not been met is in relation to the home’s development plan. The home’s manager has a development plan for the home in place. Staff know what the strengths and weaknesses of the home are and what improvements they wish to make. However, the development plan does not contain specific or measurable targets for improvement and progress. This means that the progress the home’s management wish to make may be slower than desired.

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This inspection

One new requirement has been made as a result of this inspection. The requirement is in relation to the individual risk assessments of young people. Young people who come to live at the home have complex needs and each one has a comprehensive and robust risk assessment in place to help ensure their day-to-day safety. However, individual risk assessments are not routinely reviewed or updated following significant events within the home, particularly in relation to the emotional well- being of individual young people. This means that young people may not receive the support and understanding they need to help them through difficult times. And, as a 3 of 6 consequence, their behaviour may deteriorate.

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This inspection

Additionally, the provider has made further progress in a number of areas. The home’s manager has reviewed the procedures for dealing with young people who run away or go missing. The procedures comply fully with the revised multi-agency Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) protocols. This helps to keep young people safe and ensures that staff act in a consistent manner if they do go missing. The home’s manager has also reviewed the home’s Statement of Purpose. The Statement of Purpose fully reflects the skills and experience of the staff team and has been reformatted to make it easier to read and understand. This means that placing social workers are fully aware of what the home has to offer and how the lives of young people can be improved. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The children's home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The provider is a local authority.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/08/2014 Full good 12/03/2014 Interim good progress 26/11/2013 Full good 30/01/2013 Interim good progress

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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) promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated there, specifically in relation to reviewing and updating risk assessments. (Regulation 11 (1)(a) 28/11/2014

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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 home has a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home. (NMS 15.2) 5 of 6 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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