Children's home run by Outdoor Care Limited in Northumberland

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

The registered manager has addressed the majority of the statutory requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. A new schedule for checking the cleanliness of the premises ensures that staff take prompt action where necessary to maintain the home in a satisfactory condition. A lock has been fitted to the young person’s bedroom door, allowing them to maintain privacy while enabling staff to gain entry in an emergency. The risk assessment now addresses all known issues which have the potential to cause harm to the young person or others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendation to improve the system for providing staff with professional supervision has been partially met. A new format is in place which helps the supervisor to address most relevant areas. Records of supervision do not evidence that senior staff provide sufficient challenge to staff or hold them to account for their work. As a result, the opportunity is missed to help staff reflect on how their day-to-day work benefits young people, or identify where changes in practice would improve young people’s outcomes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support the young person effectively. They work collaboratively with education providers and the social worker to ensure that he is able to maintain full time further education placements. The registered manager arranges the rota to ensure that staff are available to provide timely support should there be an issue during the college day. The young person said, ‘I like my college placements. I have made friends there.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have good relationships with the young person. They have undertaken additional training to enable them to understand his particular needs. This means that they are able to respond to him more effectively and improve his emotional wellbeing. The young person said, ‘I like it here, the staff are really nice.’ Staff are proactive in stimulating the young person to engage in activities in the community. He has just started attending the local cricket club and is looking forward to playing regularly. He is also taking advantage of the home’s rural location to enjoy country walks and fishing. The registered manager is aware of the necessity of working in partnership with parents in planning their son’s care. Staff promote and support regular contact which ensures that the young person maintains his family identity. This kind of collaboration means that the placement is more likely to produce good outcomes

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home manages behaviour well. Rules are reasonable and promote young people’s safety and wellbeing. The young person said, ‘I have to hand in my phone every night. This is OK, I don’t mind, it’s so I can get a good night’s sleep and be ready for college in the morning.’ High levels of staff supervision ensure that the young person is safeguarded effectively without being overly intrusive. In a recent planning document, the young person’s social worker wrote, ‘The placement here has seen a complete transformation in the young person’s presentation, behaviour and compliance with rules.’ The young person said, ‘I feel safe here, and I know that the staff just want me to do well and be happy.’

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Information about this children's home

The home accommodates one child with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

19/12/2013 Interim Satisfactory progress

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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

The registered person must ensure that all employees - receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation (33)(4)(b)) 29/04/2016

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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

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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