Children's Home run by Young Foundations Limited in Darlington

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has improved by meeting two previous recommendations. The environment is homely, comfortable and meets the needs of young people. The children’s guide is in an appropriate format and includes useful information. Young people have contributed to the review of the guide by sharing their experiences of moving into the home, and their ideas for changes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Outcomes for young people are mixed. Overall, young people have progressed from their starting points and are achieving. Two out of three young people are in full-time education, with very good attendance. A young person said, ‘I like going to my placement, and I like to work with the animals.’ Another young person is being supported to explore her career options and has made an application to undertake further education. Staff support young people not in education or employment to undertake educationally based activities. These help young people to get back into a school-time routine, which is especially important when they have had long periods of absence. Doing meaningful activities also helps young people to gain confidence in their abilities and encourages them to think about their strengths and aspirations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships with staff are good and key workers take their responsibilities seriously. A young person said, ‘I like the staff and you can talk to them.’ There are some very good examples of positive individual support for young people who struggle with their emotions and feelings. This builds good resilience. Key workers also work with other professionals when young people have specific needs, and this provides focused support that is overseen by experienced, specialist practitioners. This partnership working is having very positive results. A local authority senior manager said, ‘One of our workers is involved with the home and has supported staff to work with a young person about internet safety.’ A staff member said, ‘It’s really good having advice from (name). She helps us with advice and shares resources.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health needs are met. They have access to local health services and are all registered with a local doctor, dentist and, where needed, an optician. Healthy eating and regular exercise are encouraged. The home has very good relationships and networks with local services that support teenagers. These include drug and alcohol workers, sexual health professionals, the smoking cessation clinic and a Barnardo’s worker. The role of the latter is to support young people at risk from exploitation, including sexual exploitation. These agencies are accessible to young people and they support staff by giving advice and training.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A psychologist, employed by the provider, is available to support young people’s emotional and mental health needs. The psychologist also liaises with staff to guide and inform them when they do direct work with young people. This resource enhances young people’s progress and development. In addition, the home has good links with the local child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), which ensure that young people have access to community health services. This gives young people a choice and promotes their rights to access all available healthcare services.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been a number of notifiable events concerning vulnerable young people that have had an impact on their outcomes. These include young people who are in crisis and find themselves in risky situations. The home’s response to these incidents is consistent and in line with the local authority safeguarding procedures. The local authority officer responsible for safeguarding concerns said, ‘The home are very good at telling me about concerns and they will ring if they need advice. I have done training at the home, and I have no concerns about safety.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When young people are deemed at risk, appropriate child protection referrals have been made. Staff are working with the police when there are concerns about young people potentially being exploited. The home’s child protection records are good, and clearly describe safeguarding concerns and the actions taken in response.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Social workers and placing authorities are notified of all events, and when concerns escalate risk management meetings are held. This ensures that all relevant agencies are involved in keeping young people safe. Individual risk assessments are robust and regularly reviewed. Staffing levels are organised to include additional staffing should this be required. Either the registered manager or deputy manager is on call should additional support be required outside of office hours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has reviewed all safeguarding events to explore what happened, lessons learned and what can be improved. His monitoring also includes analysing notifications to look for any patterns, trends or triggers that may be linked to individual incidents when young people have been at risk. This oversight shows that leaders and managers take young people’s safety seriously.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While there are some safeguarding concerns, the registered persons have taken all reasonable actions to reduce risks to young people. Open and transparent working with the local authority and regular contact with social workers, police, placing authorities and specialist practitioners support young people to understand the possible consequences of being in unsafe situations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no new requirements or recommendations arising from this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for five children with emotional and behavioural difficulties and learning difficulties. It is operated by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/03/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

03/10/2013 Interim Satisfactory progress

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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 that 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 whom 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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