Children's home run by Gateshead Council in Gateshead

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to offer a high standard of care and accommodation for the children and young people being provided with a short break service. Some new children and young people have started using the service since the last inspection and they are introduced to the service in a sensitive and well planned way. Other young people are prepared well for moving on when they become adults. There are concerns about the local provision of adult care and this is an issue being addressed by the local authority.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people enjoy coming for short breaks and take part in a wide range of activities and social events. They are able to work on agreed goals and targets to improve their independence skills and their social skills. This inspection took place during the school Easter holiday. On the day of the inspection, the children and young people were going out shopping to the local Metro shopping centre. The previous day they had taken part in an Easter egg hunt and there were plans being made for some of the interested young people to go on a tour of the nearby Newcastle United football ground the following day. The children and young people were enjoying a relaxing time with staff during the inspection, taking part in various games and other leisure activities. One young person at the centre during the inspection is a practicing Muslim and was having their faith needs met well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

From the inspection of records it is evident that children and young people do make progress with other goals and targets during their short breaks. One young person who was being encouraged to use more words had extended their verbal vocabulary and another was making progress with their personal care and hygiene.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and young people are kept very safe at the home. No children or young people have been missing from home. Staff do occasionally use very low level physical interventions when required. This is usually guiding a child or young person away from a situation or gently holding an arm, if this is required, when children or young people hit out at staff or attempt to touch staff inappropriately. Any physical interventions are accompanied with firm, clear, verbal guidance and all incidents are evaluated afterwards to ensure the most appropriate course of action was taken.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints made and there have been no child protection incidents recorded. There has been a concern voiced by one parent about a bed not being suitable for their child. It became apparent that the edge of the bed had caused a small sore on the child’s back. Staff have now made appropriate adjustments to the bed to prevent this happening again. A small number of very minor accidents have been recorded and these were all dealt with well. Staff have introduced new behaviour management plans and these are useful. Staff do not use sanctions but do use rewards where helpful.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the previous inspection there had been a requirement made to ensure monthly reports by the independent person were completed satisfactorily and this has been done. There was also a recommendation that the systems for administering medication were improved. New systems for booking medication in and out as well as new systems for recording the administration of medication have now been introduced and these are working well and the recommendation is met. The manager supports staff with good quality supervision and regular training.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is clear evidence that systems are regularly reviewed and improved and that care practice is monitored well. Changes had been made to the system of recording goals and targets which is positive. More consultation with the children and young people has taken place and new ways of doing this have been introduced. There has also been a new system put in place whereby all risk assessments are carried out prior to admission with the placing social worker. This is an improvement and demonstrates that the manager and senior staff do work well with external professionals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement has been made at this inspection. This is to ensure that all records are up to date. Several assessments of need were out of date. One risk assessment was not available at the home on the day of the inspection and a medical consent form had not been signed prior to a young person coming to the home for a visit.

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Information about this children's home

The home is run by a local authority and is registered for the short break care and accommodation of up to six children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. (LD) (PD)

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/12/2014 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

The registered person must maintain records ('case records') for each child which- (b) are kept up to date (Regulation 36 (1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular this relates to assessments of need, assessments of risk and medical consents. 01/05/2016

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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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