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 Outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Improved Effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people receive exceptional care from committed, warm staff throughout their stay. The staff team work hard to ensure that children and young people enjoy their time at the home but also progress in all areas of their life. This combined with excellent community and family relationships demonstrates the how much the home has improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education is well supported by the home with routines continued for children and young people during their stay. This enables continuity and minimises the negative effects of change when moving from home to school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions to and from the home are well planned in advance and effectively managed day to day. If change is needed to plans for an individual this is very child focussed ensuring they are listened to. A social worker said, ‘They are very good at transition work.’ And, ‘They are proactive and always attend meetings’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Each child or young person has a comprehensive care plan that details needs, choices and methods of communication. Progress and achievements are recognised in individual files but also celebrated and displayed within the communal areas of the home. Communication is key because of the needs of some children and young people. The manager and staff address this need by the use of signs and pictures throughout the home. In addition there is an excellent technology room where equipment is available. This means there are a variety of methods children and young people use to express their views. The outcome is that children and young people develop a sense of belonging.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leadership and management is strong and supportive to staff. The extensive community involvement seen at the last inspection has further developed. Strong partnerships with local organisations has enabled the home to be a contributing part of the community. This result is an opportunity to challenge the views about children and young people with disabilities in the community and give something back.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are well trained and supported by the management team. Their development is seen as important in the home and the manager empowers staff to take on areas of expertise or interest. The impact of this is a stable, committed staff team who offer an excellent service to children, young people and their families. For example while on a stay a young person’s parent was taking into hospital. Even though the young person was only staying a short time the staff recognised her anxiety and staff re-arranged work to ensure they could take her to the hospital. This re-assured the young person and the parent.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team are innovative and creative in developing the home. They identify areas of focus and ensure they present changes to the team in holistic way. Changes are researched, staff are consulted on findings and new methods are developed. Additional progress charts for children and young people have been introduced to outline small steps to be achieved in daily tasks in a visual way. This allows staff, children and young people to understand what is expected and how to achieve the desired result. An example of the chart shows a fictitious case to enable staff to learn in a safe way before implementation ensuring children and young people will have a clear understanding of their goals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is spacious, comfortable and well maintained. The facilities available to children and young people internally and externally are excellent and risk managed well. The technology room has recently had equipment moved resulting in breaks in the sealed flooring. This needs repair to ensure infection control in this area.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are given opportunities to experience wide and varied social activities during their stay. Staff and the registered manager believe in giving children and young people memorable experiences and examples are seen in pictures around the home. For example, three young people are planning a trip to Barcelona with staff. This is used as a learning opportunity with young people as well as the resulting enjoyment from the trip. This promotes self-esteem and resilience in young people. A social worker said, ‘(Name) is developing good independence skills and his confidence is growing.’ Behaviour is well managed with positive relationships. There are no episodes of missing and very few sanctions are used. Records overall are excellent and show the child or young person’s journey whilst staying at the home. Some entries because of the way they are written do not tell the whole story to any reader from outside of the home. The result is that

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

information can be misinterpreted. The team have a vast knowledge of the individual children and young people that allows them to understand the recordings clearly.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides short break care and accommodation for up to six young people who have physical and/or learning disabilities. It is operated by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2015 Interim Sustained 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):  Ensure that staff understand the importance of clear recording, distinguishing between fact and opinion. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62 paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

 Ensure the flooring in the IT room is appropriately sealed in accordance with the quality and purpose of care standard. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15 paragraph 3.9)

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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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