Children's home run by Darlington Borough Council in Darlington

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 Sustained Effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has made a promising start in addressing the requirement made at the previous inspection to improve residential plans. A new model is now used to identify young people’s individual needs although work in this area is not yet complete. Staff are currently changing these plans focusing on targeted support aimed at helping young people’s overall development. A member of staff said, ‘We have done two so far. The new plans are live documents, we will be using them every day. I think they will be better because we can evaluate young people’s progress.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents and carers are now routinely informed about the activities and experiences their children take part in during their stays. This promotes shared understanding on behalf of young people who have communication difficulties. A member of staff said, ‘We gave (Name) carer the feedback form so she knew what he had been doing. I think she was pleased to know that he had been out to the seaside and for an ice cream.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s risk assessments now accurately reflect the support they receive from staff. Consultation with parents and carers means the needs of young people have been reviewed to ensure the care they receive during their short stay is consistent with that they receive at home. This helps sustain young people’s established routines helping allay any anxieties at times of transition.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s recruitment policy does not make clear that a reference from the candidate’s last employer must always be sought. This omission leaves room for oversight, undermining otherwise robust recruitment practices.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A previous recommendation regarding the quality of reports completed by the registered manager is not as yet achieved. This is because legislation only requires this information to be submitted at six monthly intervals. This means demonstrating what the home does to help improve outcomes for young people is not currently established. These developments mean that two of the previous four recommendations are now met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Upkeep of the home is good and the facilities remain suited to the needs of disabled young people some of whom have communication difficulties. Some improvements are evident for instance, the home’s maintenance person has fashioned bespoke communication boards which young people helped to decorate; these are used to show which staff are on duty and to aid their the choice of meals and activities. Engaging young people in this way promotes their independence and right to make choices. The home has also been redecorated throughout. Ensuring young people stay in good quality surroundings helps promote a sense of ownership and belonging. Staff support parents, carers and young people at times of change enabling them to make successful transitions to adult services. The amount of assistance staff provide depends of the needs of young people and their families. In one instance staff from the home worked alongside staff within the young person’s new setting.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This helps others gain increased understanding about the needs of young people and promotes placement stability. A member of staff said, ‘I think (Name) was reassured by seeing me because I was a familiar face.’ A parent said, ‘They took my son to the new home to have a look, it was really helpful.’ Also, other parents and a young person wrote, ‘My stays here have been awesome. ‘Thank you for all the care and support over the years.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While young people’s communication needs are well known by the majority of staff only a few young people have this information comprehensively captured within a readily accessible format. This means that the understanding of other staff is compromised and reduces the effectiveness of how well they can meet young people’s needs. Young people stay in a short break home that has regained accreditation with a national organisation recognising the quality of its consultation with children. This is because staff demonstrate a meaningful commitment to young people by meeting their individualised needs. Young people take part in a range of enjoyable activities that promote their wellbeing and development. A member of staff said, ‘We took (Name) out bowling - it was amazing, he waited his turn and he was able to concentrate, we couldn’t believe it, we are definitely going to take him again.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is safe and young people show by their behaviour that they feel safe. Staff do not need to use any physical intervention or sanctions in response to young people’s behaviour. This is because staff are skilled at making relationships with young people, helping them feel relaxed so they enjoy their short stay.

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Information about this children's home

The home may only accommodate up to five young people with sensory impairment, learning disabilities and or physical disabilities. The home must also ensure that a placement of any child or young adult accommodated is made under short break arrangements and not as a permanent placement. The home is owned and operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/03/2015 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

6. In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, with particular reference to ensuring that the home’s placement plans fully reflect the care and support provided to young people including promoting independence, the registered provider must ensure that staff:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(i) understand and apply the home's statement of purpose; and

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Requirement Due date

(2)(b)(iv) provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans, taking into account the child's background. 29/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The home should work in partnership with relevant people as appropriate to ensure that each child is provided with support (appropriate to their age and understanding) to communicate their views, wishes and feelings and participate as fully as possible in all aspects of their care planning and daily care. This may include the use of and support to use communication aids, equipment and/or any necessary language support. In particular to ensure that each young person has an individual communication passport. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 22 paragraph 4.6)

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Recommendations

 The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular ensure that recruitment policy and procedure makes clear that a reference must always be obtained from a prospective candidate’s last employer. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 61 paragraph 13.1)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should undertake a review that focuses on the quality of provided by the home, the experiences of children living there and the impact the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. Reviews should be underpinned by the Quality Standards as described in Regulations 5 to 14. In particular that reports clearly demonstrate the impact for children of any improvements. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 64 paragraph 15.2)

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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

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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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