Children's home run by Newcastle City Council

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service this home provides to young people and the outcomes they achieve is often outstanding. The majority make excellent progress in managing their behaviour and in reducing their drug and alcohol use. Additionally, young people’s safety often improves as they reduce the number of times they go missing. As a direct result of this, many achieve reunification with their families. However, this is not the case for all young people. Despite the best efforts of staff and the professional support of other agencies, some young people refuse to participate in behaviour management programmes and reduce their risk taking behaviour. As a direct consequence of this they do not achieve positive outcomes. One member of staff said, ‘We never give up on a young person. We keep trying to help them but sometimes they just won’t change their behaviour. Legal highs are so addictive it’s difficult to get them to change.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between staff and young people are generally positive. Young people feel listened to and decisions about changes affecting their lives are discussed honestly with them. Staff liaise effectively with education providers, colleges and training agencies to ensure young people are given the opportunities they deserve to progress and to achieve their maximum potential. Staff have had some success in maintaining young people in education and in supporting them to look for training opportunities and employment. Maintaining their education and helping them to develop a work ethic helps young people to achieve their maximum potential and further supports their return home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The individual health care needs of young people are known and understood by all staff. Each one has a health care plan in place that records what their individual healthcare needs are and how they will be met. Access to specialist health care provision, such as child and adolescent mental health services and drug and alcohol workers are fully supported by staff. Regular meetings take place between the staff team, key-workers and specialist health care professionals. Information is shared and strategies agreed, for dealing with young people’s challenging and risk taking behaviour. Young people are actively encouraged and supported to engage with these services, in order to improve their overall health and well-being. Young people are encouraged to develop their own hobbies and interests. For example, attending the gym, meeting with friends in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Keeping young people safe and well remains a paramount concern for all staff. The home works proactively with the local police and community support officers. For instance, by sharing information about who young people buy their legal highs from and where. Occasionally young people experience turmoil and crises in their lives that manifests itself in friction and tension between themselves and staff. When significant incidents occur, notifications to Ofsted are made in a timely manner and risk assessments updated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Internal monitoring systems continue to be reviewed. The home’s manager has developed robust systems for identifying any concerns and the action taken to address those concerns. This ensures that managers and staff are aware of and committed to, continuous improvement. Reports produced as a result of external monitoring process make a clear judgement on the overall safety and well-being of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has also reviewed staff training. Some young people continue to use drugs and drink alcohol which can cause them to become ill. This sometimes results in them requiring paramedic support and attendance at hospital. The North East ambulance service have agreed to carry out specific training with staff in order to improve their skills and give them confidence in dealing with young people who may become unconscious as a direct result of their substance misuse.

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Information about this children's home

The home is run by Newcastle City Council and provides care and accommodation for up to 7 children and young people with emotional/behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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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