Children's Home run by St Cuthbert’s Care in Newcastle upon Tyne

Unique reference number SC033467 Inspector Bill Drumm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person St Cuthberts Care Registered person address St Cuthberts House West Road Newcastle Upon Tyne Tyne & Wear NE15 7PY Responsible individual Sheila Terese Errington Registered manager Gail Lamb Date of last inspection 21/01/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 23/03/2015

p.1

Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

This inspection

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

p.2

This inspection

At the last inspection in February 2015, the overall effectiveness of the home was good. Three recommendations were made at the last inspection and all have been fully met. The home has improved effectiveness since the last inspection.

p.2

This inspection

All young people have continued to make progress. Each one attends education regularly and some have improved attendance, attitude and behaviour at school since the last inspection. All young people are, within the limits of their ability, involved in learning daily living skills. Some young people are nearing the time when they have to leave the home and return to their area of origin or alternative placements. Plans are in place to try and ensure those young people make a smooth transition and that staff fully support them in this process.

p.2

This inspection

The first recommendation was to ensure that each young person can understand, within their level of understanding, the purpose and content of their care plan and the reasoning behind decisions made about their care. The Registered Manager, in conjunction with the staff team has completed a full and comprehensive review of each young person’s care plan. Care plans have been redrafted and rewritten to ensure they are individual to each young person and written in plain English. This makes them easier to read and easier to understand. Additionally, the Registered Manager has redrafted the documentation used for recording key-worker meetings with young people. Notes from key-worker meetings are also written in plain English. This means that young people are able to understand the reasons behind decisions made about their care.

p.2

This inspection

The second recommendation was to contribute to the development of each young person’s pathway plan for eligible care leavers and to work collaboratively with the young person’s social worker and personal adviser in implementing the plan. The Registered Manager has liaised closely with all relevant placing authorities. She has 3 of 5 been forthright in her discussions with them to ensure a coordinated approach is agreed in ensuring young people receive the help, support and services they are entitled to if they are to make a successful transition into independence and adult life.

p.2

This inspection

The third recommendation was to contribute effectively to each child’s placement plan review. The Registered Manager has reiterated with staff, through team meetings and individual supervision sessions the need to ensure they raise any concerns they have with placing social workers about the content of review documentation, particularly where there appears to be areas of repetition and duplication. This will help to ensure that all review documentation accurately reflects the progress each young person is making and holds those responsible for carrying out any actions to account.

p.3

This inspection

In addition to the above, the home has made progress in a number of other areas. The Registered Manager has attended formal training in relation to restorative justice and how to apply the concepts appropriately. Staff meetings have been arranged in order for the manager to cascade the training to the whole staff team.

p.3

This inspection

The Registered Manager has also reviewed the use of sanctions to help promote positive behaviour within the home and to assist young people in dealing with their frustrations in a more acceptable manner. Staff have spoken to each young person individually and a series of exclusive sanctions or consequences have been negotiated. This means that young people are fully aware of, and have agreed to, the specific consequence that will be used if they display negative behaviour. 4 of 5

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The children's home is provided by a charitable organisation and cares for up to eight young people aged 10 to 17 years old. It is registered to care for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/01/2014 Interim good progress 06/06/2013 Full good 27/11/2012 Interim satisfactory progress 13/08/2012 Full good Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5