Children's Home run by Newcastle City Council in Newcastle upon Tyne

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceeds the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

▪ Staff have an extensive knowledge of the needs of the young people in their care and they are dedicated in helping them to achieve their maximum potential. Care plans are comprehensive and well-written. Progress is clearly measured demonstrating children and young people thrive.

p.3

The children's home provision is outstanding because:

▪ Staff give education a top priority. They are consistent in their approach to ensuring children and young people attend regularly and are well prepared for returning to mainstream school and sitting exams.

p.3

The children's home provision is outstanding because:

▪ The home is located in a residential area and provides a welcoming, safe and warm environment. This conveys to children and young people that they are valued and respected. Young people’s opinions and views are listened to. What they say about the home and their care brings about change. This further enhances their feelings of being valued and appreciated.

p.3

The children's home provision is outstanding because:

▪ The home has clear, comprehensive and effective policies and procedures which are consistently implemented by staff. As a result, the frequency of young people going missing from the home reduces significantly over time and, in some cases, ceases altogether.

p.3

The children's home provision is outstanding because:

▪ The home is exceptionally well led. Staff are organised, dynamic and self- motivated. They share a remarkable dedication to the home’s ethos and values. The outstanding impact of the home’s leadership coupled with the dedication of the staff team has a positive impact upon the safety and welfare of young people.

p.3

The children's home provision is outstanding because:

▪ No statutory requirements or recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The home is run by Newcastle City Council and provides care and accommodation for up to 6 children and young people with emotional/behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

outstanding

The first thing that strikes you about this home when you arrive is the warmth of the welcome from staff and young people. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed with staff and young people sharing good humour and banter. Rooms are large, airy, well-decorated and well-furnished. This conveys to young people and visitors that staff take a pride in the home. The homely feel is enhanced further by the presence of a pet dog belonging to a member of staff. This carries the message to young people that they can be trusted to look after the animal and care for it. One young person said, ‘I love it here. It’s great when the dog’s here. We all help to look after it. It’s what you’d find in a normal home anyway.’ Staff have very high aspirations for all the young people at the home. They have a comprehensive understanding of their individual strengths and difficulties and are acutely aware of their changing needs. Staff are fond of all the children and young people and relate

p.5

outstanding

to them with genuine affection and concern for their welfare.

p.5

outstanding

Care plans are thorough and easy to understand. They accurately describe what the home sets out to achieve for each young person and how they will do it. Staff use their time with the children and young people to great effect. During informal social activities, meal times or during key-worker meetings they discuss with them particular aspects about their care, congratulate them on the progress they have made and offer on-going help and encouragement. Regular reviews and progress reports show clearly how well young people have done since coming to live here.

p.5

outstanding

All young people attend education or are awaiting the start of the college term. In addition, children and young people are afforded the opportunity to attend training sessions arranged by the local authority. Examples of training sessions include, the dangers of using Novel Psychoactive Substances (legal highs), confidence building, interview techniques and, personal reflection and planning skills. Where mainstream education is not provided the manager and staff work in a coordinated manner to improve the options available to them. One young person said, ‘I’m going to go back to my old school. Staff have helped to get me there. I’m a bit nervous about it but I’m sure I’ll settle quickly. I want a career so I have to stick in and do my best.’

p.5

outstanding

Care plans clearly record each young person’s specific health care needs. For instance, some young people need support and encouragement to eat a healthy diet, improve their personal hygiene or to attend appointments with the community mental health team. Staff encourage young people to participate fully in food hygiene training, plan and eat a healthy diet, remind them of the importance of showering each day and to attend appointments with health care staff. One young person said, ‘Staff always encourage and help me to attend all my appointments.’ A member of staff said, ‘We negotiated with the young people to get rid of cakes and sweets. One young person asked for grapes to be bought so that’s what we did. The amount we spend now on fresh fruit has really increased.’

p.5

outstanding

All young people attend education or are waiting to start college with some, having recently taken GCSE examinations. Staff provide support and encouragement by offering them lifts to school or by sitting with them to demonstrate how to write application forms or CVs. Staff also encourage young people to attend training workshops designed to give them an awareness of the interview process. This helps them to gain confidence and improves their self-esteem. One young person said, ‘I’ll be alright when I get back to school. I’m going to stick in and do my best so I can have a good job.’

p.6

outstanding

Staff and young people meet formally and informally throughout the day. They talk frequently with each other about life at the home and how it can be improved. For instance, one young person has recently had her bedroom redecorated and another has asked if he can design and build a shed for the garden. One young person said, ‘I like to have a nice tidy room. I keep it clean every day and I make sure my washing is done regularly.’

p.6

outstanding

Young people have the opportunity to get involved in an array of different activities in the community, such as go-karting, visits to the beach, visits to local amusement parks or shopping. One young person said, ‘There’s a new go-kart track I’d like to visit. I just enjoy racing the staff, when you beat them it’s really cool.’

p.6

outstanding

Young people who are nearing adulthood begin to gain greater independence and self-reliance. For example, they are supported and encouraged to plan their own meals and to shop for appropriate items and ingredients. Young people are also encouraged to take a greater responsibility for their own appointments with doctors and social workers. One young person’s social worker said, ‘I’m really pleased with my young person. They’ll ring me even when there isn’t a problem and will stay in when they know I’m visiting.’ This kind of behaviour helps young people take responsibility for their actions, builds confidence and helps them learn essential daily living skills.

p.6

outstanding

Young people who live at the home have often experienced disruptive and chaotic family lifestyles. Staff recognise that despite previous family issues, staying in touch with their family and friends is extremely important. With this in mind, staff work creatively in ensuring relationships between young people and those close to them are maintained. For instance and where necessary, staff provide formal supervision to allow contact to take place. In other circumstances, they provide transport for young people or invite their family and friends into the home to share meals and celebrations. One young person’s social worker said, ‘I’m really pleased with how the staff work together to keep contact going. I know it’s very important to my young person.’ Judgement grade

p.6

outstanding

Staff work tirelessly in helping to protect young people and keep them safe. One young person’s social worker said, ‘They’ve had some great success with my young person. Since they came here the number of times they’ve gone missing has really reduced which is fantastic.’ Staff have an extensive knowledge and understanding of the risks which might cause harm to each young person. They work together in a consistent manner to reduce risk taking behaviour and to educate young people about how to keep themselves safe. An example of this is the introduction of a ‘safe word’. Young people can use the safe word in conversation if they feel at risk or are frightened by anything. When the young person uses the word staff take swift, decisive action to collect them and return them home. Where necessary, the police are informed, the young person is interviewed and evidence gathered. In addition, risk assessments are frequently reviewed and updated. This is particularly the case

p.7

outstanding

when the level of risk to the young person has increased or decreased. A speedy review of risks in this manner not only helps to keep young people safe, it also allows young people to see that when they look after themselves they can be rewarded by having any boundaries reduced.

p.7

outstanding

Staff are forward thinking in their planning for the introduction of new young people to the home. They insist on being provided with clear, detailed information about the young person from social workers which helps to identify whether the home can meet their assessed needs. Where the home’s manager and staff feel that the introduction of a new young person into the home might cause upset to the existing group the admission does not proceed. The home’s manager said, ‘We’re just getting this group of people settled now. It’s been a long haul but we’re getting there. Now wouldn’t be the right time to introduce another young person into this group.’ There is a clear audit trail of evidence to show that full consideration is made of the needs of existing residents as well as those new young people. Decision making is both clear and accountable.

p.7

outstanding

Comprehensive policies and procedures underpin the work of staff in keeping young people safe. For example, missing from home procedures are practical, hold professionals to account for their actions and are understood by all staff. Young people know what action staff will take if they go missing. Staff take pre-emptive action to distract them from running away but if they do go missing they are proactive in searching for them. For instance, by driving round to friends’ houses or to local areas where the young person is known to frequent. In every case, a social worker interviews the young person when they have returned. One young person’s social worker said, ’They’ve had some great success here with my young person. In their previous placement they would go missing regularly. I would have to come out every week to do a return home interview but now, more often than not, I only see them when I come to do my statutory visit. This is great because it means they’re

p.7

outstanding

better at keeping themselves safe and staff know where they are.’ It is commendable that the home has had some major success in this area.

p.8

outstanding

Staff are consistent in how they apply the home’s rules particularly where behaviour is concerned. The consistent approach of staff helps young people to know what behaviour is expected of them and what the consequences will be if they demonstrate negative behaviour. One young person said, ‘I sometimes have bad moods and do daft things but staff are really good they never change they are always really friendly, they never shout at me.’ A member of staff said, ‘It’s not surprising the young people have negative behaviour when they come here. Some of them have really been neglected in the past. Sometimes all they want and need is a cuddle. We try and be there for them and to show them that we are really fond of them.’ The clear boundaries and the consistent handling of staff helps young people to adapt and settle into the home’s routine. This gives them a firm platform from which to make progress.

p.8

outstanding

All staff have training in the use of restraint and behaviour management which is regularly updated and refreshed. The focus of this training is on the prevention of challenging behaviour by using distraction techniques, patience and good humour. Staff have the skills and experience they need to manage difficult situations appropriately and effectively. Physical restraint is seldom, if ever used and sanctions are very occasionally used to help young people manage their behaviour. One young person said, ‘The staff just care. I mean all of them, from the manager to the cook and the cleaner. I just know they all care about me.’

p.8

outstanding

The Registered Manager is experienced, competent and qualified for his role. He works directly with young people every day. For example, a young person recently displayed negative behaviour and the manager spent a number of hours talking to them about what they had done and what could be done to prevent a recurrence of that behaviour in the future. The young person said, ‘He didn’t have to but I was pleased he did. It just shows you he cares.’ This hands-on approach is inspirational to staff. It helps to create a dynamic team with a shared vision and determination of how to help young people.

p.8

outstanding

The monitoring of the home’s detailed records allows the Registered Manager and the staff team to carefully scrutinise the progress each young person is making. The monitoring systems take into account the opinions of other professionals, parents and young people. He uses this information to identify progress, no matter how small, that the young person is making. This progress is celebrated and the young person congratulated. This helps to determine further strategies to continue the headway being made and to look at strategies for overcoming any barriers in the future.

p.8

outstanding

The registered provider has a clear and unambiguous complaints process in place. Young people can contact independent advocates, social workers or family members if they have a concern or complaint. Having an array of different agencies to contact if they have a concern or a complaint adds significantly to their safety and welfare. Young people spoken to all said they knew who to speak to if they had any concerns or complaints.

p.9

outstanding

All staff are suitably qualified. They have access to a range of excellent training which is updated and refreshed regularly. This helps to ensure they retain their current skills and learn new ones. In addition, staff are actively encouraged to research new developments in social care and to read up to date guidance. For example, one member of staff regularly updates their knowledge and understanding of child sexual exploitation by reading professional journals or social care bulletins. This knowledge is then shared with the staff team in team meetings. Sharing knowledge in this way is of benefit to all the young people in the home and enables staff to support each other whenever possible.

p.9

outstanding

Formal staff supervision takes places regularly. The agenda for individual supervision focusses on the needs of the young people and it encourages staff to reflect on their work practice and to consider how they can improve outcomes. Staff members are encouraged to ask themselves the question, ’What have I done this month to improve the life of my young person?’ Self-analysis by staff on their day-to-day working methods in this manner is outstanding practice.

p.9

outstanding

The home’s Statement of Purpose is both well-written and detailed. It sets out what the aims and objectives of the home are and all staff have a clear understanding of the home’s ethos. They are all fully committed to meeting the home’s objectives and are passionate about delivering high quality care to young people. They share a common goal of improving young people’s life chances and help them to develop good, responsible behaviour as well as empathy for those less fortunate than themselves. They do this by providing them with excellent role models and by having high aspirations for them. The staff team work consistently together helping to achieve these aims and accept nothing less than the best for the young people they look after.

p.9

outstanding

The home works in very close partnership with parents and other agencies. The Registered Manager leads by example in vigorously challenging those agencies and staff that are not delivering the services to young people that they deserve or to a high enough standard. He is proactive in alerting social workers and senior managers to situations of concern. For example, over the last few months one young person has settled into the home’s routine, has started to make noticeable progress in their behaviour and has developed good relationships with the staff team. However, one professional has advised that the young person should be moved to a smaller home elsewhere. The home’s manager has taken swift action to address this through a formal review process where all opinions and concerns can be aired and a suitable outcome reached.

p.9

outstanding

The home has excellent working relationships with the local police officers and community support officers. Officers often call into the home informally whilst on duty to meet with staff and young people. This informal approach helps to de- stigmatise the police and the role they carry out. This promotes positive interactions between staff, police, community support officers and the young people. Additionally, staff are able to call on the local police for informal help and advice if they need it. This has, on occasion, resulted in young people being spoken to by the police about their behaviour without them facing a criminal charge.

p.10

What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

p.12

Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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