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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last 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 operating more effectively than at the previous inspection. Young people are making good progress and the new registered manager is having a positive impact on how the home is run.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Outcomes for young people are improving. They are becoming more independent and learning new skills and gaining confidence. This is helping to set them up well for when they are older, having left the children's home and living as young adults. For example, young people have benefited from meals in a local pub where they developed their social skills and gained experiences in the community; others have learned how to shop and prepare meals; some who were shy and reclusive are now more sociable and mix with their peers and staff more often; the behaviour of young people has become more settled leading to a reduction in the use of physical interventions; and staff have helped young people who have moved on from the home to settle successfully in their new placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff are effective in promoting children’s safety. The likelihood of harm is assessed robustly and appropriate measures put in place to reduce any risks to welfare. All staff receive training in child protection and are qualified in caring for children with autism. Staff, including those on duty overnight, have the relevant training to meet the needs of individual young people. Training in communication methods such as picture exchange symbols (PECS) and Makaton has been consolidated since the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff work effectively with other agencies to help to ensure children’s needs are met. This includes collaboration with the children and adolescent mental health team, a psychiatrist, occupational therapist and the education team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of care has improved because of the home’s responses to the requirements and recommendations made at the previous inspection. Recruitment procedures have been improved and now meet the requirements of legislation. This protects children’s safety. The registered provider now publishes an informative statement of purpose on their website. This enables anybody to be clear about the purpose of the home and how it is staffed and operated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered persons monitor the quality of care effectively. In accordance with legislation, an independent person makes an unannounced visit every month. They evaluate the quality of care and make recommendations in their report where necessary. The registered manager also monitors the care provision on an ongoing basis and sends a report to Ofsted. These reports are not fully robust because they do not show what young people, parents, staff or placing authorities think about the care provision. Their views are valuable as they can point out areas of practice that need improvement. The responsible individual also visits every three months to assess and report on the care provision. These measures help to provide a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a minor shortfall in the quality of records. The staffing rotas do not describe all the shifts worked by the registered manager, thereby slightly limiting the accountability for when she has worked at the home.

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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 for up to nine young people with learning disabilities.

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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

Maintain in the children's home those records described in Schedule 4. In particular this means the staffing roster must include a record of hours worked by the registered manager. (Regulation 37(2)(a)) 31/03/2016

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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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