Children's Home run by Talbot House Children’s Charity Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Unique reference number SC432843 Inspector Steve Pearson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Registered manager Lynne Ryan Date of last inspection 29/05/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 28/01/2015

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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

At the previous inspection Ofsted judged that the overall effectiveness of the home was good and made three requirements and three recommendations. The Registered Manager and staff have addressed the shortfalls. The Statement of Purpose now enables external people to be clear about the range of children's needs that are met. Recruitment procedures are more robust because the employment gaps of new applicants are fully explored before appointment; Ofsted is able to monitor the quality of care better because the independent monitoring visitor sends their reports to the regulator on time; children are safer because the staff have received training in countering bullying; overall training is better because the Registered Manager now assesses the training plan every year; and the support for the Registered Manager is stronger because they now receive regular professional supervision.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager and staff continue to care for young people well. Most children have made good progress since the previous inspection. There were some setbacks in progress caused by the inappropriate mix of individuals in the group. These issues were addressed and the progress of young people resumed. Some placements have had to end due to inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour. Other young people have moved on because the staff team have been effective in meeting their placement needs.

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This inspection

Young people make effective progress. They have become more calm and settled over time, their social skills have developed and they gain from interaction with friends in the outside community. Young people are doing well in education and have excellent school attendance. They have also made progress in physical and emotional health.

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This inspection

Child protection concerns have arisen since the previous inspection. The Registered 3 of 6 Manager responded to the issues appropriately. Monitoring of children's welfare at night is now better because a discrete door-monitoring system has been installed. Accountability for this surveillance system is weak because there is no mention of its use in the Statement of Purpose. Children's welfare is protected because the Registered Manager carefully assesses the needs of any possible new admissions before making a placement decision. The Registered Manager only permits any new young person to be admitted if their needs and behaviours are compatible with those of the current residents.

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This inspection

Staffing levels are appropriate to meet children's needs. Induction training for new staff is not fully robust because new staff are not always starting it within the first seven days of employment. This is recommended by the national minimum standards.

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This inspection

Management arrangements have been improved with the appointment of a new deputy manager. Monitoring of the quality of care is effective. This helps to identify and address shortfalls or concerns. The independent monitoring visitor gains an effective understanding of the quality of care. At their visits they always talk to the young people, their parents, social workers and the staff on duty. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home accommodates up to seven children and young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, and is owned by a registered charity.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/05/2014 Full good 25/09/2013 Interim inadequate progress 09/04/2013 Full adequate 09/01/2013 Interim satisfactory 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

4 (2001) ensure that the statement of purpose consists of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1. In particular, a description of the children's home's approach to the surveillance and monitoring of children accommodated there. (Regulation 4(1) schedule 1, item 13) 28/02/2015

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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 new staff undertake the Children’s Workforce Development Council’s induction standards, commencing within seven working days of starting their employment and being completed within six months. (NMS 5 of 6 18.4) 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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