Children's Home run by Talbot House Children’s Charity Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is well managed and the registered manager is experienced and skilled as well as being enthusiastic and committed. The home admits children and young people with a range of learning disabilities and difficulties. The manager is part way through recruiting a number of new staff. Recruitment procedures are safe and these additional staff are strengthening the team considerably. Staff induction has been good and those new staff spoken to confirm they have been supported well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two new young people have been admitted recently and this gives the home a busier feel. The care of the children and young people remains good and is very good in parts. The children and young people continue to make good progress. Staff are nurturing but balance this well with firm and clear expectations and boundaries. The children and young people spoken to clearly say they are happy and that they feel safe and well cared for.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager leads the staff team well. She emphasises the need for a nurturing approach and it is good to see staff who are happy and confident to give appropriate hugs and other physical contact. Bed time routines are given a high priority and staff take care to understand children and young people well so that care provided is on a very individual basis. Care planning records are very detailed and accurate and written in child friendly ways which is positive. Children and young people are consulted well and recent meetings involving all of them have been particularly innovative and productive in terms of reflecting on language and behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff give a high priority to education and all the children and young people are making good progress at school and attend well. One young person has been able to return to mainstream education and others are achieving well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are also very keen to support children and young people to take part in a wide range of activities and interests and many trips out are arranged regularly to places of interest. Recently a number of the children and young people have been or are subject to care proceedings and staff have supported them well through this very difficult and confusing time. Staff have also been very supportive with one young person through a significant bereavement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Generally the children and young people at the home get on well with each other. There are occasional upsets and these are dealt with effectively by staff and resolved quickly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child who is moving back to the care of a family member shortly has been very well supported and is now considerably less anxious than they were when they were admitted. Another young person with a history of significantly challenging behaviour has made tremendous progress and is now much calmer, more considered and more settled. Other young people who have been at the home for longer continue make good progress socially and educationally. One of these young people has been supported to stop some of their very disturbed behaviour which is a significant step forward.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and young people are kept safe. There have been no missing from home incidents, and no other incidents of note. The staff have carried out one restraint and one other very brief physical intervention which were appropriate. They have only used four sanctions all of which were appropriate and considered. No complaints have been made by any of the children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is well maintained and free of any health and safety hazards.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager provides a strong lead and staff are appreciative of her support and knowledge and say she is very approachable. She continues to give the development of the home the highest priority and continues to monitor the care and the progress of the children and young people well. She has good links with external services and other professionals and works well in partnership with them to ensure children and young people get the best service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the previous inspection two requirements were made. The manager has addressed the issue about physical interventions and has partially addressed the issue about providing targeted key work. However the inspector considers more work is needed here and so has raised this requirement again.

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Information about this children's home

The home is run by a charitable organisation and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (EBD) and learning disabilities (LD)

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

28/01/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

25/09/2013 CH - Interim Inadequate 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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard with particular reference to ensuring young people with needs around sexualised behaviour are offered appropriate support and guidance. (2)(b)(iv) provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans, taking account of the child's background; 2(b)(v) help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect; 28/03/16

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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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