Children's Home run by Acorn Care (UK) Limited in Darlington

Unique reference number SC390751 Inspector Julie Rimington Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Acorn Care (UK) Limited Registered person address 33 Kellaw Road Yarm Road Business Park Darlington County Durham DL1 4YA Responsible individual Julie-Ann Foxton Registered manager Jayne Bogan Date of last inspection 10/12/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 19/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement action since the last inspection.

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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

The home was judged as good overall at its full inspection in December 2014. One recommendation relating to a shortfall in practice surrounding sending notifications of significant events to Ofsted in a timely manner has been fully met. There is now a robust system in place to ensure that notifications are sent as required. At this inspection, the home is judged to have sustained effectiveness. There is one statutory requirement regarding the timeliness of sending monitoring reports to Ofsted and one recommendation regarding maintenance of the building.

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This inspection

Outcomes for young people continue to be good. Some young people are receiving one to one tutoring until permanent education placements can be found. Some young people attend vocational training to assist them in developing skills and knowledge, which will assist them to secure employment. Health outcomes also remain good with young people benefitting from work with specialist health providers ensuring both physical and emotional health matters are addressed. This means that young people’s self-worth and self-esteem is improved and their confidence in their abilities allows them to make realistic plans for their futures.

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This inspection

The enthusiastic Registered Manager and staff team work extremely hard to ensure the young people have quality contact with their families and people who are important to them. Young people who have previously found it difficult to communicate with family members are now looking forward to returning to them on a permanent basis. Some young people have supervised contact with their families ensuring they remain safe whilst developing relationships with them. The emphasis on family contact allows young people an opportunity to develop a sense of belonging and identity whilst still keeping them safe.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager ensures that young people have a chance to express their 3 of 6 views in meetings about them. Some young people attend meetings, which ensures their voice is heard, other young people rely on the Registered Manager and staff team to ensure that their voice and opinions about their care plans are considered and listened to. The Registered Manager regularly consults with families to ensure that they feel part of the care plan. As a result, young people understand what the plans are for their future and this enhances their self-esteem and feelings of well- being. One young person said ‘they listen and that makes the difference.’

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This inspection

The staff team are child-focussed, competent, motivated, and take pride in delivering their roles and responsibilities. The staff team’s dedication and commitment to improving young people’s outcomes ensure that young people have every opportunity to reach their full potential. The staff team demonstrate strong models of safe practice. They have good working relationships with external agencies and this promotes young people’s safety and welfare.

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This inspection

Material standards in the home continue to be good. There has been some re- decoration since the last inspection. Some maintenance issues have not been actioned, in that a doorbell still does not work. This is a minor shortfall, which has consequences in terms of young people and visitor’s not always gaining access to the building when required or seeking alternative routes into the grounds presenting security issues.

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This inspection

Young people have regular opportunities to talk with the Registered Manager and staff team. Young people have a good relationship with the staff team allowing them to voice their concerns. Young people know how to make a complaint and are confident that their complaints will be dealt with fairly. A recent complaint is well documented and the outcome has had a positive impact for all young people.

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This inspection

Internal and external monitoring of the home continues to be good. On one occasion, a monitoring report has not been sent to Ofsted on time. This shortfall does not negatively affect young people’s positive outcomes. The Registered Manager uses themes and lessons learnt from audits and monitoring reports to develop practice and enhance opportunities for young people and the staff team. Feedback from a recent staff team survey is being used to improve the way the staff team work, receive recognition and are rewarded. This is having a positive effect on staff morale and motivation. 4 of 6

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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. The home is operated by a private company.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2014 Full good 26/09/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 26/04/2013 Full good 13/11/2012 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

(2001) Ensure that the written reports of visits by the independent person are provided to HMCI, Ofsted, specifically by the end of the month following the month of the visit (Regulation 33(9)(a)) 30/04/2015

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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 the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. Specifically that regular maintenance is carried out and faults repaired for example the doorbell.(NMS 10.3). 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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