Children's home run by North East Autism Society 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 Sustained Effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection of the home in November 2015, six requirements and two recommendations were made. Five of the six requirements and both recommendations have been addressed. This demonstrates the home's commitment to improve the quality of care provided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The statement of purpose has been reviewed and updated. It now contains all required information and the new version has been placed on the organisations website. This better assists placing authorities and parents to understand fully the services provided by the home. Restraint records are fully completed. The manager ensures staff are fully debriefed after any incident and this is recorded. This ensures staff are supported in their role and any learning is identified to improve practices going forward. Summaries of young people’s progress are now fully up to date. Records therefore evidence young people’s progress. Young people are supported to eat healthily. A dietician has been consulted and staff are following the guidance provided to ensure young people are supported to live healthy lifestyles. The independent visitor’s reports have been revised. These now include an opinion as to whether young people are effectively safeguarded and their

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

wellbeing is promoted. The workforce plan has been reviewed. This clearly indicates the support in place for staff to achieve a relevant qualification in required timescales. This supports provision of a qualified staff team to care effectively for young people. Staff have undertaken training in autism awareness to support them in meeting young people’s individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement has not been met. Two of the four young people being looked after are adults as was the case at the last inspection. In order for the provision to be a children’s home the law requires that it must accommodate more children than adults over a certain period of time. As the circumstances are the same as at the last inspection and the time frame exceeded, the home is not operating in line with its statement of purpose. However, there are explicit plans in place, agreed and approved by placing authorities. One young person who is 18 years of age is moving on to an adult care provision within the next two weeks with a clear and appropriate transition plan. There is also a transition plan in place for the other young person who is 18 years of age with timescales for moving on being slightly longer. The home therefore has arrangements in place to ensure this requirement is met within two weeks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Observations of staff and young people indicate there are very good relationships and that young people feel safe and are happy. There is clear evidence that young people continue to make good progress in all aspects of their lives and have good experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no admissions to the home since the last inspection. Young people are in settled, long-term placements. There are good arrangements in place for any admission in the future. Arrangements demonstrate thorough assessment is integral to the process. There is work with placing authorities and parents to find out as much as possible about a young person’s needs so robust plans can be developed prior to any admission. Visits by staff to the young person’s previous placement is standard practice as is a young person visiting the home with overnight stays where possible in line with assessed needs. This process helps staff understand young people’s needs and how to meet them, helps young people to get to know the home and the staff team, and supports them to settle in.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Arrangements to support young people’s transition to other services is good. Transition plans are in place, agreed with placing authorities and contain detailed arrangements that all staff are aware of. Staff work closely with placing authorities, parents as appropriate and all relevant professionals to ensure young people are fully prepared in this important time in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a well-established complaints system. There have been no complaints since the last inspection. Staff know young people’s needs well and are skilled in how to support them to express any concerns they may have about life at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no child protection concerns or missing from home incidents since the last inspection. There are good staffing levels to ensure close supervision and appropriate care of young people. There are processes and procedures for managing any safeguarding matters and staff are aware of their responsibilities. This helps to keep young people safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are other areas where the home has improved further since the last inspection. The home has achieved renewal of its ‘Investing in children award’. An assessor visited the home recently examining a range of matters such as consultation with young people. The report provided is very positive and shows the home deserves this award for its continued child-centred and child-focussed approach. Activities have been further developed with young people. One young person wanted to go ‘tubbing’. This is an activity at an approved ski centre that involves sitting in a ‘tub’ and sliding down an artificial ski slope. Staff keep evidence for young people, placing social workers and families of the enjoyable and varied experiences young people have.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to have positive relationships and effective partnerships with relevant professionals, agencies and services. Positive partnership working ensures services such as health and education work alongside staff so that effective care is delivered to young people and positive outcomes achieved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a system in place to monitor the homes processes and practices. There has been one incident requiring the use of physical restraint. This was a ‘low-level’ intervention for a few seconds and in line with regulations. The incident is fully recorded and was monitored. The manager ensures regular and robust checks are carried out across all aspects of the home so that the quality of care remains at a good level at all times.

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Information about this children's home

This home accommodates up to four children who have a learning disability. It is operated by a charitable organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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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

With reference to the statement of purpose, subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (6) Nothing in paragraph (5) or regulation 46 (review of premises) requires or authorises the registered person to contravene or not comply with— (a) any other provision of these Regulations; or (b) any conditions in relation to the registration of the registered person under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000. (Regulation 16(5) and (6)(b)) 31 March 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

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Information about this inspection

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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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