Children's Home run by Durham County Council in Durham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been a number of staff changes at the home since the last inspection. The registered manager who had been suspended from duty was dismissed from his post and consequently de-registered by Ofsted. This happened because of a situation that occurred away from work.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager who was covering this absence was subsequently registered and continues to be the registered manager. Another manager has been redeployed to this home and has applied to be registered manager. This manager is now jointly managing the home with the registered manager. This management situation has not worked well at times when communication has not been clear. The registered manger has not been kept informed of relevant information on more than one occasion. A number of other staff have left the home for various reasons and a number of new staff have also been re-deployed to this home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection one young person has left the home and one young person has been admitted. Two other children and young people have remained living at the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person who left the home returned to live with his family. Although this move was planned, some safeguarding concerns had been identified prior to the move and it was therefore brought forward. These safeguarding concerns comprised some minor bullying and some inappropriate behaviours. Moving home resolved the safeguarding concerns as well as being a positive outcome for the young person concerned. However, this young person did give up their college placement prior to moving home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person who has recently moved into the home in a planned way has begun to settle. He has developed good relationships with staff and is attending school well after missing some education prior to admission.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two children and young people who have remained living in the home have had different experiences over the past six months. One child has made good progress with much improved school attendance and achievement, with plans to return to live with a family member being made and agreed. This child has very good relationships with the staff and staff have supported them and their extended family well, to achieve this progress. Staff are supporting a programme of transition and this continues to go well.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The other young person has complex mental health needs and has made little progress. Staff have tried extremely hard to support this young person through some very difficult times and are now looking for a more specialist placement. This young person has not made much progress during the past six months, which have been characterised by a series of set-backs in their emotional health. Staff have not assessed the risks with this young person well enough, and have not described how to minimise these risks sufficiently well. Consequently staff have found it difficult to know what to do to care for this young person at times, despite having good relationships with them. A requirement has been made to address this issue.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The needs of this young person are considerable and at times it appears that they take precedence over the needs of the other children and young people living in the home. A better balance is required. Staff have worked closely with the mental health services and the police to protect this young person. There is an agreed crisis plan in place, and while this mostly works well there are clearly differences of opinion, between professionals, at times as to what course of action is best.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The current group of children and young people are quite diverse and it has been difficult for staff to organise children’s meetings. However, from planning documents and observations of their relationships with staff it is clear that their views are taken into account.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been some other safeguarding concerns at the home recently. One young person, whose behaviour is unpredictable at times, assaulted and threatened another young person. Staff did not report this incident satisfactorily. The young person who was assaulted says that they continue to be frightened of the other young person, and staff have not addressed this situation sufficiently well. Requirements have been made to address these two issues.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child has been reported missing from school on seven occasions but this has now reduced and appears to have stopped. Staff have only used physical restraints on three occasions where gentle holding was employed. Staff do not use sanctions very much and try to incentivise children and young people with positive consequences.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No complaints have been made by any child or young person or by any other person.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have been well supported, with good quality staff meetings and ongoing training. There were no requirements or recommendations from the previous inspection but three requirements are made this time to ensure better safeguarding practices are developed.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home is run by a local authority and is registered for the care and accommodation of up to three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. (EBD).

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

28/01/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard with particular reference to ensuring all risk assessments on children are accurate the registered person must ensure that staff- (2)(a)(i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child's relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. 31/03/2016

p.6

Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard with particular reference to ensuring that all child protection incidents are fully reported to the registered manager, the safeguarding authorities and HMCI the registered person must ensure that staff- (2)(a)(v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. 31/03/2016

p.6

Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard with particular reference to protecting children who are assaulted or threatened by other children the registered person must ensure that staff- (2)(a)(vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare. 31/03/2016

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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

p.8