Children's home run by Durham County Council in County Durham

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been very settled since the last inspection. There have been no children or young people admitted or discharged during this period. The staff team remains settled as there has been no changes in staffing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most of the young people have made good progress across all areas of their lives. Four out of five young people are attending school very well and are achieving and making progress educationally. One young person received a pupil of the year award at their school and another already has a place booked at college for the next academic year which shows good planning and support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

However, one young person has disengaged from the home and does not attend school very well. This young person has not made progress educationally. This young person spends a lot of time with their family and they have decided they now want to live with a family member. This move home is currently being planned by staff and the placing social worker.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the young people are well supported to maintain and improve contact with their families and this is positive. Most of the young people are receiving external support from specialist workers and this is clearly helping them make progress in their lives. One young person has made good progress with their anger management and two others have made significant progress with other emotional difficulties. Young people are being well prepared for independence and generally the level of key work and support has improved. The young people are regularly consulted about their views and wishes. In a recent young people’s meeting the whole group were discussing summer holidays and these have been agreed already. This demonstrates how settled and positive the home is at the moment. Most of the young people are also involved in the local Investors in Children scheme and contribute positively to this. Young people are involved in a variety of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

out of school interests and leisure activities. One young person attends the army cadets and another helps run a youth club for younger children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home remains a safe place for the young people who live there with very low levels of incidents. There have been no physical interventions used and only a few minor sanctions applied. No young person has gone missing and there has been no child protection incidents. There have been no complaints at all. There has been some falling out among the young people at times and on two occasions this has escalated into an incident that required notification to Ofsted. On one occasion one young person assaulted another. Although there were no injuries resulting from this incident the police were called and a restorative meeting was held. This process resolved the incident well with both young people being happy with the outcome. Staff use restorative approaches frequently when dealing with minor squabbles and fall outs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continues to lead the team well and is ably supported by a strong staff team. The staff continue to receive good support and further training. The registered manager monitors the home well and is continuing to develop all areas of work. There is clear evidence that staff are able to access external support where appropriate for the young people and this is done regularly. Care planning is good and recording is clear and simple. The home continues to be very well kept, it is homely and welcoming.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were two requirements made at the last inspection. Both the quality of key work and preparation for independence has improved and staff are making good efforts to try and ensure all young people get the best education possible. Both these requirements have been met. No requirements or recommendations have been made at this inspection.

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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)

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27/03/2015 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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