Children's home run by Stockton on Tees Borough Council in Stockton-on-Tees

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 young people are settled and progressing well. Attendance at education is valued highly by staff, children and young people. Staff challenge barriers to education and support children and young people to have high aspirations. One young person has additional tuition and is on course to achieve higher than predicted grades. A young person said, ‘They will do anything to help. This encourages young people to develop positive self-worth and a drive to achieve.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between young people and staff are strong and supportive. The staff team have embraced the new ethos promoted by the manager of the positive use of reflection and a restorative approach. Young people are encouraged to replicate this in their relationships outside of the home. Young people are developing their relationships skills allowing them to make friends at school and in the local community. Staff recognise the positive effect of involvement in sport for children and young people and its impact on wider behaviours such as team work and social skills. Young people attend a local table tennis league as a group and this has improved relationships within the home. Other sporting activities such as rugby, netball and dance are also encouraged. This has allowed young people to develop a sense of achievement and positive community presence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides a safe and nurturing environment in which children and young people thrive. The staff team and manager are highly committed to the children and young people and recognise the value of consistency. Often staff re-arrange shifts so they accommodate activities or offer support at events such as review meetings. This reinforces the positive relationships and develops a sense of trust.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The reduction in the number of episodes of missing continues and there have been no episodes in the previous five months. Incidents of disruptive behaviour are also reduced. A social worker said, ‘The level of emotional warmth from the staff is visible.’ The impact is an improved sense of belonging in a settled group of children and young people who live well together.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no new young people in the home. Transition from the home is well managed and supportive. The registered manager and team continue to support two young people who have left the home in the previous ten months. The most recent young person to leave lives near to the home. She is supported on a weekly basis by a member of the team with tasks such as shopping and dealing with utility companies. This ensures that resilience developed within the home continues into independence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff team communicate well with others. A social worker said that the communication from the keyworker and manager is ‘excellent’. The team continue to encourage other professionals to attend their meetings to share information and develop an understanding of their change in ethos. A social worker commented, ‘There has been a massive improvement under the new manager, his ethos is clear.’ This offers a strong foundation for partnership working to achieve good outcomes for children and young people. It also models positive relationships with other professionals to children and young people, often a barrier to effective change.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leadership and management remains good. The registered manager’s vision is now embedded in practice and is having a positive impact on the lives of children and young people. His involvement in the day-to-day care and his work with the team is impacting on his ability to fulfil the wider aspects of the role. The two recommendations from the last inspection are partly addressed. Risk assessments are now clear and easily accessible to children and young people. The aspect of young people’s contribution to these records remains incomplete. This would increase their understanding of risks and appropriate risk taking behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has improved the monitoring and auditing systems. Although the systems are completed regularly they lack information and evaluation that would enable the manager to develop the service further.

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Information about this children's home

This home is provided by the local authority and is registered to care for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural issues.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Children should be encouraged by staff to see the home's records as 'living documents' supporting them to view and contribute to the record in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. In particular, risk assessments and placement plans need to be shared with young people and reflect their views. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 58 paragraph 11.19)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through observation and engagement with: each child; the home's staff; each child's family/carers where appropriate; and professionals involved in the care or protection of each child including their social worker, Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), teachers, clinicians and other health professionals etc. In particular the system should show evaluation of information and evidence the impact on the development of the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 54 paragraph 10.23)

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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

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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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