Children's Home run by North East Autism Society in Sunderland

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last 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

Young people continue to have very good outcomes. They live in a home that fully meets their needs and for some young people their progress has surpassed all expectations. Young people are happy, healthy and thriving.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Excellent relationships with staff are pivotal in supporting the young people who have a range of complex needs that include learning disabilities, communication difficulties, and autism. Staff are very skilled in engaging young people and forming trusting bonds. This significantly enhances each young person’s overall progress and development. A parent said, ‘The staff are fantastic, brilliant. They are the best.'

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported by a host of professionals that the registered manager oversees and organises effectively. These include speech and language therapists; an occupational therapist and a range of healthcare specialists. This joint working is highly dynamic and unquestionably adds substance to each young person’s care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Educational outcomes are very good. Young people have 100% attendance and are meeting their predicted educational targets. They enjoy school and have developed friendships with class mates. There is very good communication between staff and teachers that contributes to young people achieving their full potential. A staff member said, ‘We talk to teachers every day to see what kind of day our young people have had, and if they have been upset or distressed. This helps us make sure we can support the young people when they come home.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safe and their safety and welfare is paramount. Good staffing levels ensure young people are supervised at all times and not exposed to any dangers or hazards. Robust risk management ensures all reasonable measures are taken to enable young people to fully participate in a wide range of activities and to be part of their local community. This balanced approach enables young people to join in everyday experiences as well as having the same opportunities as their peers. The registered manager said, ‘Our young people love to be out and about and join in activities. They also have a summer holiday every year.’ Leadership and management outcomes continue to be outstanding. The registered manager is extremely knowledgeable about autism and this is reflected in the innovative day to day practice delivered by staff. The staff team are highly motivated and committed to their role and the young people living at the home. A

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

staff member said, ‘I love it here and I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. We are a good team and it’s all about the young people.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and keyworkers have and maintain very good links with social workers and placing authorities. This ensures the care delivered by the home is in line with each young person’s local authority plans. This purposeful joint working monitors consistency and continuity for young people. Supporting and including parents and families is also a strength. A parent said, ‘I know everything that happens and the staff are really helpful. I can talk to them about anything.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has progressed by addressing the two recommendations from the last inspection. The registered manager has updated the lone working risk assessment and measures to assess the impact of new admissions to the home are strengthened.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no new requirements or recommendations arising from this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for 4 children with a learning disability. It is operated by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/03/2015 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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