Children's Home run by North East Autism Society in Durham

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged Requires Improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Improved Effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

All young people have made good progress since the previous inspection. The registered manager and staff ensure that young people enjoy their time at the home but also ensure it supports their development. The registered manager meets with parents and carers before the young person’s first stay in order to establish how they can best help the child to benefit from the service. These issues are then recorded in care plans and the staff help each young person to achieve them.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Introductions to the home are well-planned and are conducted at an appropriate pace. A parent said, ‘We were nervous about what to expect but the manager and staff explained everything and we were able to have a look around and stay for tea. It was not rushed and we felt comfortable at the end that our child would benefit from the short breaks service.’ The registered manager carefully evaluates the needs and nature of each young person before agreeing to them staying at the home. She carefully assesses which young people should stay on each night to ensure an appropriate mix of young people who will get on well together.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

At the inspection, parents were unanimous in their praise about how their child had benefited from the care provided. One parent said, ‘The quality of care is absolutely brilliant. My child is a lot calmer now, and they are mixing with other children and developing social skills. The staff are really having a positive effect.’ Another parent said, ‘We’ve noticed such a difference. My child helps with small chores around the house now. They are more rounded as a person and more confident.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home has helped young people move on successfully to new placements through careful planning and liaison with other agencies. Ongoing liaison with such agencies on a day-to-day basis is helping to ensure children’s needs are met effectively.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people are safe. The registered manager and staff give children’s welfare their highest priority. There have been very few significant events of concern since the previous inspection. Where these have arisen they have notified the relevant authorities appropriately, in accordance with legislation. Where concerns or shortfalls are brought to the attention of the registered persons they respond appropriately and make improvements in practice where necessary. A parent summed this up saying, ‘I am happy about my child being at the home because I know they are safe.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered persons have met all the requirements and recommendations made at the previous inspection. As a result there is now full accountability for the days and times of shifts worked by every member of staff; recruitment checks are now fully robust; staff development planning is of a high standard and young people's risk assessments and care plans are now clear and informative. This helps the staff to be clear about how to meet children’s needs and how to minimise risks to their welfare.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered persons are effective in monitoring the quality of care provided and make improvements where necessary. An external person visits the home once a month to evaluate and report on the quality of care provided. They make recommendations where necessary and follow these up at their next visit. The registered manager also monitors the care provided on an ongoing basis. She sends in a summary report to Ofsted, as required by legislation. These reports are not fully robust because they do not make clear what young people, parents/carers, placing authorities or staff think about the quality of care provided.

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and operated by a charitable organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation in short breaks for up to six young people with learning difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/03/2015 Interim Improved Effectiveness

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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

Ascertain and report on the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and persons working at the home when conducting the quality of care reviews. (Regulation 45(5)) 30/04/2016

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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

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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