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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be run at a very high standard. No children or young people have been admitted to or discharged from the home since the last inspection and there have been no staff changes either.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The five young people living at the home all continue to make progress. Some of them are making very good progress and others are making steady progress. One young person nearing their 18 th birthday is continuing to do well at college and has plans to attend a higher level course at a different college next year. This young person is planning his move to supported lodgings and is well placed for this move. Another young person is also planning a move to supported lodging shortly and is similarly well placed. This young person continues successfully in his apprenticeship and despite being offered other apprenticeships is hoping to continue at a higher level apprenticeship in his current workplace. This is very positive. Both these young people want to take care choosing their lodgings and staff are supportive of this process. Two young people still attend school and are both doing well, one has made excellent progress and is described as being a star

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the young people are continuing to develop their contact with their families where this is possible. Staff continue to support this well. There has been other progress as well. Two of the older young people have a history of taking drugs and there are clear signs that this has reduced significantly. One young person who was quite isolated socially has made good progress with making new friends and is now much more socially active. Other young people are working on other issues in their lives with support from staff and external workers and professionals. One young person is heavily involved the Investors in Children process and has attended a number of meetings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be a safe place for the young people. Staff give clear boundaries and expectations and work in restorative ways. Consequently there is very little need for sanctions to be used and no need for physical interventions since the last inspection. The only complaint has been from a neighbour who had some snowball thrown at his house by two of the young people. The manager was quick to address and resolve this issue. Perhaps the only concern is that two of the older young people continue to be missing quite often. Both young people live locally and as such have friends and partners living locally. Although staff know where they are on these occasions they continue to work with them to keep them safe rather than getting into negative disputes. This approach is positive and does keep them safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continues to lead the home well. Staff say they are well supported. The home is well maintained and well-kept and there are a number of new developments taking place to further improve the home manager. The young people and staff have further developed their bike project and are planning further cycle trips. One member of staff has developed a project designed to increase awareness of other cultures and celebrations and the manager continues to develop their links with a local university and has started two research projects on identity and resilience. The manager continues to monitor the overall care of the young people and is proficient at engaging external professional where necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection and none are made at this one.

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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 five children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (EBD) or learning disabilities (LD)

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 CH - 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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