Children's Home run by Acorn Care (UK) Limited in Darlington

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Sustained Effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Independent visitor reports required by legislation now evaluate the quality of care and what staff do to keep young people safe. This level of improved scrutiny identifies both good practice that can be further developed, and areas for improvement. While there is some evidence within these reports of the independent visitor‟s opinion about how the home safeguards and promotes the welfare of young people, reports still lack an explicit overarching statement to this effect. This oversight undermines systems designed to demonstrate robust independent monitoring. The requirement made at the time of the last inspection is therefore repeated within this report.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people no longer routinely sign to demonstrate their having taken part in daily living activities, such as receiving their pocket monies. A member of staff said, „It‟s not happening anymore, the young people are pleased.‟ Recruitment practices are improved, as the outcome of reference verification is now clear and any gaps in employment are clarified. This ensures that only those who are suitable to work with young people are appointed.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people‟s risk assessments provide clarity for staff about what action to take. This promotes young people‟s safety and wellbeing. Further improvement of risk assessments, to make clear how measures are effectively reviewed are also planned. These developments meet four of the five recommendations made at the previous inspection.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A promising start has been made to ensure each young person has a tailored behaviour management plan in place. The home intends to pilot a behaviour support plan for a young person, with input from the clinical psychologist who provides training and support to staff. A senior manager said, „If this goes well we will we have these in place sooner than we planned.‟

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has productive links with other professionals in meeting the needs of young people. Evidence of the work undertaken with the local missing from care co-ordinator has impacted by reducing episodes of young people going missing from the home. Logs that record the detail of action taken by staff are incomplete in some areas. As a result, these do not show when and if all young people receive an interview when they return home. There have been no restraints since the previous inspection, sanctions are few and the effectiveness of any measure is monitored by the registered manager. This means that staff‟s responses that are not considered to be helpful are overturned; resulting in further reflection about better alternatives for young people. Professionals attend team meetings to advise staff, and information is freely available in the home to allow young people to access services independently. The

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

registered manager and staff advocate on behalf of young people regarding discharge plans and return interviews for young people who go missing. However, when responses to requests are not forthcoming, the home does not sufficiently escalate their concerns. This results in both delay and uncertainty on what the local authority are going to do and incomplete plans for young people‟s transitions. All young people make good progress and some young people are doing exceptionally well. For example, one young person is doing so well they are being fast tracked to complete a secondary catering course. This is in addition to undertaking a child development qualification which they are also completing to a high standard. A senior member of staff said, „(Name) is doing brilliantly, she is expected to get merits.‟ Another young person has made positive life changing decisions by giving up any form of substance misuse and by resuming his

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

education. About this young person staff said, „The judge praised him for the turnaround in his behaviour, he did really well.‟ Young people are consulted about their care and they are listened to, influencing the care and support they receive. For example, during a young person‟s meeting, a request was made for storage units within their bedrooms and these were provided. One young person went to a senior management meeting and raised concerns about the home‟s pool car. This resulted in a newer vehicle being made available. It is clear that young people feel a sense of ownership, because they have been able to exert due influence within the home. This was most evident on the day of inspection when a senior manager was jokingly challenged by a young person who said, „Why have you parked in my space?‟ Young people receive support from staff who are growing in their understanding the impact of trauma and the effect this has on behaviour. This increases staff

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

skills and abilities to defuse situations that could otherwise escalate, as they are now more able to meet young people‟s underlying needs. Staff continue to receive nurturing attachment training including approaches to self-harm based on the work of experts in this field. Staff use a therapeutic approach demonstrating playful, accepting, curious and empathic responses to young people known as the PACE. This helps young people make links between their feelings, thoughts and behaviours gradually building their self- awareness and capacity to reflect. A health professional said, „Staff are more reflective and curious, they are linking young people‟s histories to their behaviours. They are helping young people learn how to self-soothe.‟

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to five children with emotional and or behavioural difficulties (EBD). The home is privately owned.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 Interim Sustained Effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

26/09/2013 Interim Satisfactory Progress

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

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether –

p.6

Requirement Due date

(a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes their wellbeing.

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.6

Recommendations

 Staff should act as champions for their children, expecting nothing less than a good parent would. If the child's needs are not being met. In particular ensure there is system in place to ensure staff know what to do so that in the event of any unsatisfactory response from the local authority the concern is escalated until the issues are appropriately addressed. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 12 paragraph 2.8) 

p.6

Recommendations

 Staff should understand factors that affect children's motivation to behave in a socially acceptable way. Staff should encourage an enthusiasm for positive behaviour through the use of positive behaviour strategies in line with the child's relevant plans. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 39 paragraph 8.13)

p.6

Recommendations

 When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. In particular interviews completed with young people when they return home should be fully recorded at the time they took place. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 45 paragraph 9.30)

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.8

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.8

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.8

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.9

Information about this inspection

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

p.9

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.9

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.9