Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes North East Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Unique reference number SC472795 Inspector Julie Rimington Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Artemis Support Limited Registered person address Amtech House Samson Close Killingworth Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6DX Responsible individual Clare Lesley Coward Registered manager Donna Marie Delaney Date of last inspection N/A 2 of 10 Inspection date 17/02/2015

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Previous inspection N/A Enforcement action since last inspection This is the first inspection since registration. There has been no enforcement action since registration.

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Overall effectiveness good

Outcomes for children and young people outstanding Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from good quality of care in a safe, caring and stable environment. Young people are making excellent progress from their starting points and they are supported by high quality and individually tailored plans. Positive relationships between staff and young people are developing which promote trust and respect over time.

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Overall effectiveness

Professionals express satisfaction about the quality of care at the home and have made a number of compliments about the effective working relationships between the home and families and the tenacity the Registered Manager and staff team demonstrate towards young people when others may have given up on them.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager and staff team are child-focussed, competent, motivated, and take pride in delivering their roles and responsibilities. The senior management and staff team’s dedication and commitment to improving young people’s outcomes ensure that young people have every opportunity to reach their full potential. One young person said ‘I wouldn’t be in this good place if I hadn’t have come here, I would probably be in prison. I’ve changed so much.’ The staff team demonstrates strong models of safe practice and are positive role models to young people. It has 3 of 10 good working relationships with external agencies and this promotes young people’s safety and welfare. A professional said that ‘The way the staff make sure they know the young people is so good. They work with me and this helps keep the young people safe.’

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit immensely from strong leadership and management in the home. The Registered Manager is diligent in her commitment to improve young people’s outcomes. She makes positive use of effective monitoring tools to ensure that she quickly acts on any identified shortfalls.

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Overall effectiveness

The shortfalls identified at this inspection relate to reviewing young people’s access to the office and ensuring there is a clear understanding of the responsibilities and delegation of duties. The reports written as part of external and internal monitoring should include analysis to inform the strategies to address any concerns raised. These shortfalls do not negatively affect young people’s positive outcomes. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides accommodation for up to five young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private company.

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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 Managers and staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. The level of delegation and responsibility of the manager and staff, and the lines of accountability, are clearly defined (nms 21.4 )  ensure Information about individual children is kept confidential and only shared with those who have a legitimate need to know the information specifically that a protocol relating to young people's access to the office is reviewed (NMS 22.3)  Visits of the home carried out under Regulation 33 include relevant checks set out in regulations and guidance and checks of any disciplinary measures and use of restraint and records of missing person’s reports and include analysis rather than pure description. (NMS 21.7) 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are making outstanding progress while living at the home. They discuss their choices and actions with the staff team regularly and they are thriving with the support this affords them. There is significant improvement in their competence and self-esteem since their admission to the home. They are a confident and engaging group of young people. They complete household tasks and are making significant gains in the development of their cooking and budgeting skills, and their resourcefulness. Such achievements increase their motivation, personal resilience, and feelings of accomplishment.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people enjoy outstanding outcomes in their education and work. Since living in the home, their level of attendance in education is consistently high. Their attainment is exceptional, taking into account their progress from their starting points at the time of placement. Some young people, who did not previously appreciate the value of education, now view it as a route to stability. As a result, young people are beginning to make choices that entail setting goals for their future. They are starting to forward plan for their lives with a sense of optimism about what they might achieve.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are making good progress in developing their understanding of their own health needs. Young people engage in the support offered by the home to address their emotional health needs when they struggle to manage their feelings. The young people and staff team are supported by a psychologist. As such, they are developing insight into their behaviours and previous history and, with support, are finding better ways to express themselves. One young person said that he ‘felt less uptight and could talk to people’. Young people recognise and are proud of their progress which effectively improves self-esteem and positive feelings of self-worth. Young people feel valued, worthwhile and that they are individually important. This sense of belonging and interest enables young people, including those who have been looked after in a number of other settings, to settle and form sustainable attachments. A young person said, 'It’s great

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

here. I’ve never felt like this anywhere else.’

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people benefit from individually tailored preparation for transition to independence and adult life. Young people are fully supported to increase their independence outside of the home and engage in skills and activities which are important for their future. Some older young people are employed in part-time positions, which celebrate their skills. For example, on a motor project. Young people take evident pride in being able to earn their own money and gain these independence skills.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The proactive Registered Manager and staff team work sensitively with young people and their family members to facilitate positive and appropriate contact arrangements, 6 of 10 whether this be in the home or under supervision. Young people's sense of belonging is promoted while important support networks for their future are built. Young people benefit from the excellent, supportive communication in place with their families. Some young people have regular overnight stays at home where previously there was tension in family relationships and contact was infrequent. One young person said ’They have helped me bond with my mam, we get on so much better.’ Some young people now have the possibility of reconciliation and reunion with their families.

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Quality of care good

The relaxed and warm interaction between the staff team and the young people reflects the good relationships fostered in the home. The Registered Manager leads by example making time to spend with the young people, to offer advice, guidance and support where necessary. One social worker confirmed that the Registered Manager worked hard to ‘create a lovely atmosphere in the home’. The young people’s comments within the surveys confirmed this view together with their positive contributions to the inspection. Such comments reflect an encouraging and nurturing environment within the home, essential for the young people’s emotional wellbeing and overall development. The young people’s confidence and ability to communicate with others is a key factor in helping them move into adult hood.

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Quality of care good

The Registered Manager and staff team focus upon the particular interests and talents of the young people to promote their individuality and develop their potential. Young people participate in activities such as going to the cinema, quad biking, and baking. All of which have a positive effect on their self-esteem and confidence.

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Quality of care good

Young people benefit from the good relationships they have with the staff team. Their interaction is open and frank, with the staff team displaying a sincere interest in their welfare and care. One young person said, ‘Staff are great, it’s a nice place to live.’ The staff team adapts its approach to the individual needs and personalities of the young people. A social worker commented that the staff team cared and supported the young people well, and had developed a very clear understanding of their needs.

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Quality of care good

Key worker sessions are prioritised by the Registered Manager and are used as opportunities to offer praise and constructive advice. There is an educative tone to the discussions on issues such as missing from care, school attendance, and sexual health. The staff team tailors its practice to meet the young people’s needs and to develop its understanding of their behaviour. One social worker confirmed staff have a ‘very child-centred approach’.

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Quality of care good

The Registered Manager and staff team tackle barriers to education effectively. Additional support is put in place in a timely way to meet the young people’s 7 of 10 individual needs. This encompasses all aspects of a young person’s education, such as one to one support to develop their social skills and competence. Working relationships with education providers are also good. This ensures any issues or concerns are dealt with quickly, to provide a coordinated and united response to the young people’s particular difficulties.

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Quality of care good

Working relationships with social care professionals and parents are good. One social worker said staff kept them informed and were ‘very proactive’ about involving the family in the young people’s care. The staff team has a developed understanding of each young person’s history and overall needs. Placement plans are comprehensive and detailed.

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Quality of care good

Effective and safe arrangements are in place to manage the administration of medication. The staff team ensures young people on admission to the home are registered with all relevant health agencies such as dentists, opticians, and general practitioners. The Registered Manager and staff team also make sure young people access services to address their sexual health and substance misuse.

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Quality of care good

Material standards of the home are very good. The Registered Manager is committed to on-going improvement by developing the communal areas. The staff team demonstrates its investment in the young people’s surroundings by decorating and choosing accessories. The outside of the property also has a number of personalised areas. Young people are actively encouraged to help with this maintenance. This helps to create a homely and comfortable environment that reflects their choices. The Registered Manager’s and staff team’s care and attention to the home and involvement of the young people promote a sense of pride and ownership.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The safety and wellbeing of the young people is at the centre of the Registered Managers’ and staff team’s practice. Robust risk assessments are in place, which are thorough and individualised. They regularly review these assessments to ensure they are current and young people are kept safe and secure. Key workers discuss any potential risks with young people within their individual key working sessions and praise positive behaviour choices made.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There are no incidences of bullying. The use of restraint is minimal and has significantly reduced in the last 6 months. The infrequent use of restraint reflects the staff’s skills and abilities to manage difficult situations. They achieve a good balance between providing opportunities for young people to earn rewards, alongside focused support and praise. Strategies are in place to reinforce expectations and provide a coordinated response from the staff team. Clear records are kept of sanctions and the staff team and young people contribute to these. Additionally, the key worker sessions revisit incidences where particular risk- taking behaviours are discussed. As 8 of 10 a result, the staff team delivers a coordinated, consistent response to young people and professionals. This enhances young people’s feelings of stability, safety, and security and informs care planning.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

It is clear the Registered Manager has an extensive understanding of the young people’s vulnerabilities and of what constitutes safe practice .The staff team has completed training in a large number of subjects including; child sexual exploitation, behaviour management techniques and safeguarding. Staff therefore receive the appropriate training to identify potential risks to the young people. The young people have also completed training on keeping themselves safe on the internet and on child sexual exploitation. The young people are therefore more likely to make positive informed choices and reduce risky behaviours.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The arrangements for the recruitment of new staff are safe and appropriate. The environment is physically safe for young people. Fire drills occur regularly and with increased frequency if there are new young people admitted to the home. The Registered Manager organises the drills to take place at specific intervals to ensure all members of staff are familiar with the evacuation process. This ensures both young people and staff know how to respond safely in the event of a fire

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Leadership and management good

The appropriately qualified and skilled Registered Manager has been working at the home since its registration in October 2013. She is fully supported by an experienced and competent deputy manager. This strong management team knows the young people in its care well and is ambitious for them to succeed to the best of their ability while being safe and enjoying life.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager has a strong and confident leadership style, with an obvious commitment to deliver a good standard of care to the young people. Her approach to creating a caring and protective environment is mirrored in the staff’s enthusiasm for their role. The Registered Manager needs to consider how she can delegate tasks and responsibilities to e staff to ensure they are confident in managing the home in her absence.

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Leadership and management good

Staff feel supported in their formal supervision by management, describing it as a two- way process to discuss young people’s progress. These sessions happen regularly, are recorded comprehensively, and cover all aspects of the work. The Registered Manager takes steps to debrief members of staff in supervision following difficult and challenging behaviours from young people. Young people have a robust pre-admission assessment to ensure their needs can be met alongside those young people already living in the home. As a result, young people are admitted safely, increasing the likelihood that their placement will be sustainable.

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Leadership and management good

Team meetings provide regular structured opportunities to discuss information about 9 of 10 the young people and their particular challenges. The Registered Manager keeps abreast of regulatory changes and developments in practice. Staff utilise team meetings to share this information and consider ways to improve practice in line with new developments. The home’s information relating to young people is extensive and very well organised. It clearly reflects the young people’s experience of living in the home and the actions staff take to meet their needs.

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Leadership and management good

Good internal processes ensure that young people’s safety and the quality of their care are monitored on a regular basis. The use of a monitoring tool linked to the expert psychological services the provider employs, enables the progress of young people to be tracked. The results are visual and allow young people, their families and associated professionals to see the progress the young people are making. As a result, young people are fully supported to have their say. External monitoring visits also contribute to improving the care young people receive. These reports describe the home but do not sufficiently analysis what this information means. This impedes the development of strategies to address any concerns raised.

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Leadership and management good

Young people’s records are clear, up to date and contribute to a young person’s understanding of their care experiences and the plans for their future. They are stored securely. The Registered Manager needs to ensure that the protocol for young people having access to the main office does not compromise confidentiality.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager is aware of the strengths and areas of potential development in the home. The locality risk assessment is comprehensive, illustrating consultation with agencies and the specific risks individual to the home. Additionally, the Registered Manager identifies gaps in practice; ensuring the staff team has the appropriate training to address any shortfalls.

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Leadership and management good

A detailed Statement of Purpose and up-to-date children’s guide meets with legislation and gives a comprehensive picture of the care provided. As a result, young people are appropriately placed enhancing their care experience and promoting opportunities for inclusion and achievement. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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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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