Children's home run by North Tyneside Council in North Tyneside

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good progress and improve as a direct consequence of coming to the home for short-breaks care. Their outcomes are very good and they have excellent relationships with staff. Young people’s short- breaks experience enhances their lives and aids their overall development and well-being. A parent commented, ‘My child has done really well and has learned so much since staying at the home.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Promoting independence skills is a strength. Each young person has set, agreed goals and targets that are discussed at placement reviews. This ensures the aims of each placement are met. Parents, social workers and schools are fully involved with planning arrangements, which provides high levels of consistency and continuity. A staff member said, ‘The young people are doing really well in their independence skills. They are helping with the cooking and a young person made a lovely salad for all the young people’s tea. It was lovely.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Planning for young people coming to stay here is good. The pace of young people’s introduction to the home is planned with consideration for their needs and level of understanding. This makes their first experience of being away from their parents a positive one. A staff member said, ‘One of our new young people settled in really well. She came for a few tea time visits and met the staff and other young people. She’s now having overnight stays and loves it.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are protected and stay in a safe, nurturing environment. Behaviour management is good and focuses on rewards and praise to gently guide and encourage young people. Achievements and progress are celebrated, which significantly increases young people’s self-confidence and self-esteem. A staff member said, ‘Every day we tell young people what they do well and they each have a star sheet that they look at when they come in from school. They get very excited and love to see what they do well.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall leadership and management are strong. The registered manager is an experienced practitioner and promotes good outcomes. The staff team have the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the young people, and they feel valued and supported. Team morale is very good. A student social worker said, ‘This is a very positive placement where young people are cared about and looked after very well. The staff team are supportive and I’m really enjoying it here on placement.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has progressed by meeting a requirement to improve the appearance of the main bathroom. It is much cleaner and the paintwork has been redone. The specialist bath is in working order and staff are looking at ideas to make the bathroom more homely and child-friendly. These changes give the home a more domestic appearance. Other areas of the premises are showing signs of wear and tear such as chipped paintwork and damaged furniture. This gives parts of the home a neglected feel. Additionally, a lack of soft furnishings, pictures and un- ironed bedding in the bedrooms give young people a poor first impression of where they will be sleeping.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered persons have failed to meet a previous requirement in relation to the external monitoring of the home. The independent visitor’s reports still do not give a clear opinion as to whether young people are safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes their welfare. This shortfall compromises the reliability of the reports and the requirement has therefore been repeated.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides short-breaks for 5 children with sensory impairment and learning disabilities. It is operated by a local authority.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

06/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

07/11/2013 Interim Satisfactory progress

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that when the independent person produces a report about a visit which sets out in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes children's well-being. (Regulation 44(4) (a) and (b) 30/04/2016

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure the home is adequately maintained to provide a homely, domestic environment that includes a re-decoration and refurbishment programme and the provision of homely items, such soft furnishings and pictures, in children's bedrooms. (The Guide to Quality Standards, page 15 paragraph 3.9)

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