Children's Home run by South Tyneside Council in South Tyneside

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been three young people admitted to the home since the last inspection and three young people discharged. Three young people remain living at the home since the last inspection. Although there has been quite a lot of change the home has become more settled during this time. One new member of staff has been appointed during this time. The existing registered manager has applied to be the manager at another home within the local authority and the existing deputy manager has been acting up and has now applied to be registered manager at this home. These changes are well thought through and have been very well managed.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The three young people who were discharged have left in different circumstances. Two left to move to independence in well planned ways after medium term placements. These moves have been successful and have been good outcomes with these young people acquiring the skills they need for adult life. The third young person was moved out in an emergency after another young person made an allegation of sexual assault against them. This incident has been fully investigated by the police and by safeguarding social workers and there is no further action to be taken. However the young person who moved out has settled in another residential placement, is doing well and will not return.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The three young people who have moved in have been for different reasons. One moved in after careful planning and has settled well and begun to make progress. One very recent admission was an emergency admission. The third young person has been admitted but in practice is still living with an extended family member while they consider their future.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The three young people who have remained living at this home are all making progress. Two are making very good progress. One young person is making excellent progress, is in college full time, has a part time job and is preparing well for a move to independence. Another young person is also doing particularly well overcoming some significant emotional health issues and also making very good progress at college. The third young person is struggling with their mental health and has recently been voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric unit for assessment. This is a positive move for this young person.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home works with young people who are between 15 and 18 years old and specialises in supporting them move to independence. Staff maintain a very positive environment and have a wide range of positives incentives in place which work well. Generally the young people are well supported to learn appropriate independence skills, to further their education, to look for jobs and to build contact with their families. The young people at the home are mostly kept safe. The number of missing from home incidents has reduced significantly and only four episodes have been recorded since the last inspection with three of these being late returns. Staff have used no sanctions and have used no physical restraints. The home do ask young people to make reparation where appropriate and generally the young people accept this opportunity. A couple of young people have used drugs but this has also reduced significantly during this period. There have been two child protection

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

incidents. The one mentioned before and one young person has alleged that they were seriously assaulted while out in the community by a person known to them. These have both been dealt with well and the young people have received good support from staff.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and the acting manager have offered strong leadership, they have monitored the work well and offered staff good support and supervision. They have also liaised with external services and professionals well. This is particularly so with their efforts to support the two young people with significant mental health needs. One independent reviewing officer said that one young person has made excellent progress and was now much more confident. This young person has written to the manager to say, ‘I just wanted to say a massive thank you, the support that I have had has been amazing, I have never felt so safe and secure ever in my life’.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and the acting manager have ensured that the requirements from the previous inspection have been carried out appropriately. Two recommendations have been made at this inspection. These are to further improve work with the placing authority to ensure that all required documentation is in place when needed and also to make further improvements to the planning of key work and independence skills work. There are already clear plans in place to do this.

p.3

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 nine children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD)

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that the registered person seeks to involve the placing authority appropriately and that all information and documents are received when they are needed. This includes pathway plans, other information and consents. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 11 paragraph 2.5)  Ensure that staff support young people to develop emotional and mental resilience and practical skills before they move to live independently. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 17 paragraph 3.27)

p.5

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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.7

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.7