Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Darlington

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 All young people have progressed and their outcomes are good. Relationships with staff are very good and young people are consulted and listened to.  There are a wide range of activities that introduce new experiences to young people. Their hopes, wishes and aspirations are respected and acted upon. Young people are healthy and live a healthy lifestyle.  Young people live in high quality accommodation that meets their needs. All young people are achieving educationally by attending an on-site learning centre that provides a varied curriculum.  Young people’s safety is paramount. Staff know young people’s needs and risks, which are actively addressed. Behaviour is managed positively.  Leadership and management is strong. The Registered Manager leads a knowledgeable, committed staff team. There is very good inter-agency working.  Monitoring is good and readily identifies the home’s strengths and weaknesses. There is ongoing improvement and development that drives

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for 7 young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

good

This is the first inspection since the home was registered with Ofsted on 23 February 2015.

p.5

good

The quality of care is very good. Young people receive individualised care that meets their needs. All young people are progressing and the home clearly impacts on young people succeeding and achieving. A young person said, ‘This is the best home I have been in, it’s like my home.’

p.5

good

Positive relationships are a strength and are seen as the basis for providing young people with the help and support they need. Staff work to build trust and respect. They do this by listening to young people and taking their thoughts, wishes and feelings into account. This empowers young people and improves their confidence and self-esteem.

p.5

good

Young people are healthy and they have access to the services they need. They are registered with a local general practitioner and are supported to attend routine healthcare appointments. Staff are skilled working with teenagers and help young people adapt to and understand the changes puberty brings. This helps young people make a positive transition into adulthood.

p.5

good

Psychological support is provided on-site, which gives young people the opportunity to speak with a counsellor at short notice. Key workers work very closely with young people so they have one to one time to talk about any worries or concerns they may have. Consequently, young people feel nurtured and cared about.

p.5

good

All young people are attending school and are attaining. This is very good progress for some young people who have previously refused education. Staff regularly liaise with teachers to provide consistent, seamless care and support. This has a stabilising effect that promotes learning. A young person said, ‘I like school here, it’s different. I never went before and now I go every day.’

p.5

good

Consultation is a strength. There are a number of options open to young people to express their views. All young people feel they can talk to staff and that they are listened to. This engages young people and includes them in important decision making.

p.5

good

Staff go over and above to support contact arrangements, specifically where young people are living a distance away from their home and family. The Registered Manager advocates on behalf of young people to ensure they maintain important relationships. This includes relaying young people’s wishes about who they want to see and when; staff providing transport and additional staff for contact visits; and the home being creative in how young people can communicate with loved ones.

p.6

good

This aids young people to be part of the family unit and understand their background and heritage. A parent said, ‘This home is very good, especially compared with the last place. I am shocked at how involved we are. We are told everything and asked our opinions. We feel our opinion matters. All the family are made to feel welcome here.’

p.6

good

Young people live in a new, purpose built home that meets their needs. The home is of a very high quality and is spacious, homely and comfortable. The bedrooms are single accommodation and have on-suite facilities. All young people have personalised their rooms to reflect their personality and individuality.

p.6

good

Young people’s hopes, wishes and aspirations are taken into account and supported. There is a range of activities that focus on young people’s strengths and potential to achieve. Activities range from paid activities and outings to enjoying the local countryside. Fresh air and exercise is actively encouraged and young people enjoy walking, cycle riding and other outdoor activities. This fills their leisure time positively and offers an alternative to anti-social behaviours.

p.6

good

Young people’s safety is viewed as paramount. Staff know young people’s past history and known risk taking behaviour. This ensures risk management strategies are in place to keep young people safe.

p.6

good

Young people feel safe and emotionally secure. This helps them establish trusting relationships where they can talk about their past behaviours and understand how to avoid potentially risky situations. A carer said, ‘My child is very safe, staff cope well and care. They know what they are doing. I have no concerns, it’s a very good place.’

p.6

good

The home operates a zero tolerance to bullying that young people understand and accept. There is an open culture where young people can complain and know their complaints will be taken seriously. All young people feel they can talk to staff and actions will be taken if they are unhappy. This promotes their rights and equality. A young person said, ‘There’s no bullying, staff talk to us. We all get on okay. I would tell staff if I saw any bullying.’

p.7

good

Behaviour is managed positively and the home’s expectations are clear. Young people understand the boundaries in place for communal living and respect each other. This teaches young people tolerance and understanding. A carer said, ‘My child has been in other places and there were too many sanctions that went on too long. That doesn’t happen here, I’m pleased about the.’

p.7

good

The home is a safe place to live. Recruitment checks are carried out and all visitors are vetted. Health and safety and fire checks are undertaken to maintain a safe environment.

p.7

good

There is good inter-agency working to protect young people who are at risk of going missing or exploitation. The home has close links with local police and the local authority. Staff are vigilant in responding to young people who go missing or are not where they are supposed to be. This keeps young people safe. A visiting police officer said, ‘We have good partnership working with the home and the manager. There are good systems in place for vulnerable young people that work well in our area. I have no concerns about the home and know the manager from a previous home. She is very experienced.’

p.7

good

The Registered Manager is an experienced practitioner who has the right qualifications to undertake her role. She is a skilled team leader who is respected by staff, colleagues and external agencies. This is a very positive first inspection that shows leadership and management is organised, systematic and effective.

p.7

good

All aspects of the home are regularly monitoring and there are good development plans in place. Strengths and weaknesses are recognised and addressed. The staff team feel very well supported and valued. This provides young people with good support by a committed, enthusiastic team.

p.7

good

Staff are trained and developed to meet the needs of young people. Regular formal supervision strengthens performance. Staffing levels are good and there is a good gender balance within the team. This provides young people with positive role models.

p.8

good

The home has good relationships with external agencies and Ofsted. The Registered Manager is open and transparent, which maintains good practice. There are a number of examples where inter-agency working has improved outcomes for young people. Relationships with placing authorities and social workers are proactive and ensure consistent, agreed care plans are followed. This prevents uncertainty for young people.

p.8

good

The Statement of Purpose sets out what the home intends to do. This provides placing authorities and parents with useful information before placing young people. The children’s guide is informative and written in a format that is appropriate to the age and understanding of the young people accommodated. Therefore they are kept informed and involved.

p.8

good

There are no new requirements or recommendations arising from this inspection.

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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

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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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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