Children's Home run by Newcastle City Council in Newcastle upon Tyne

Good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children’s home provision is good because:

 Young people feel safe in the home and staff work exceptionally hard to ensure that they are safe.  Young people have developed trusting relationships with staff. This enables them to talk openly about any anxieties, problems or concerns they may have.  Young people make progress in all aspects of their lives including their health, education and emotional well-being.  Where appropriate, young people are supported to have safe, quality contact with their friends and relations. This helps them to make sense of their life experiences and to understand their backgrounds.  Young people benefit from healthy, balanced diets. They are encouraged to participate in leisure activities, develop their own hobbies and interests and to maintain healthy lifestyles.  Staff take immediate and decisive action when young people go missing. Their excellent knowledge of safeguarding procedures helps to reduce risks to young people significantly and helps to ensure their safe return home.

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The children’s home provision is good because:

 Staff advocate strongly for the young people in their care. They communicate clearly and effectively with partner agencies to ensure that the needs of young people are prioritised.  Managers and staff are fully committed and motivated to helping young people achieve their full potential.  Staff receive good training and regular practice-based supervision.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for the child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires (Regulation 44 (2)(b)). 15 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children at least every 6 months (Regulation 45)(2). In particular, ensure that the review thoroughly evaluates the quality of care provided for children. 15 August 2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure that the children’s guide to the home is age-appropriate, is provided in an accessible format and is explained to each child to make sure that they understand it (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.21).

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by Newcastle City Council and provides care and accommodation for up to six children and young people with emotional/behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

5 January 2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

18 March 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Good

Young people present as being relaxed, calm and confident in their home surroundings. They develop positive relationships with a dedicated and caring staff team who invest time in them. This helps to provide them with stability, clear boundaries and consistent routines. They are able to make their needs known and to make a complaint or raise concerns if they have any. Staff are skilled at developing positive attachments with the young people in their care. As a result, young people learn to trust them, have confidence in them and they learn to rely on them. One young person said, ‘The best thing about this children’s home is having a good relationship with staff.’ Staff know and understand the young people very well. They listen to them and consult with them daily. They provide ongoing encouragement to participate in day-to-day decisions about their lives and to make continued progress. Open discussions about their life experiences help young people to make sense of the

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Good

world, help them to understand the difficulties they face and help them to prepare for the future. Where appropriate, young people have agreed levels of contact with their relatives and family members. Staff maintain good links with parents and keep them informed about each young person’s progress and development. The parent of one young person said, ‘I’m always in touch with the home. They keep me informed about all the things my son is doing and I’m pleased with the progress he is making.’ This helps to make contact a positive and valuable experience for young people. Young people generally have good attendance at school, college or work placements. All have made good progress in comparison to their starting points. Staff provide daily encouragement and support to young people in order to ensure that their attendance is maintained. When young people experience difficulties in their education or work placements, staff are proactive in trying to resolve any

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Good

difficulties, for instance by speaking directly to the local authority virtual head teacher. This helps to identify appropriate solutions to perceived problems and to maintain a young person’s placement. One member of staff said, ‘We’ve been really successful in getting one young person out of the pupil referral unit and back into mainstream school. It wasn’t easy, but we managed it. The young person deserves a lot of credit.’ Regular attendance at school, college and training is celebrated. Young people take pride in their achievements, and their confidence and self-esteem improves. Children enjoy good physical health. They are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle, to go to the gym and to take regular exercise. They benefit from eating healthy balanced meals and they are encouraged to try new things. In addition, young people are urged to attend routine health appointments addressing their immediate and longer-term healthcare needs. For example, one young person has

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Good

attended the dentist for the first time in several years and is scheduled to have essential treatment carried out. Where necessary, young people access specialist services such as the child and adolescent mental health services. This ensures that they receive the necessary help and support they need to manage their emotional and psychological behaviours. Young people have frequent opportunities to take part in recreational activities. In addition, they are encouraged to develop their own hobbies and interests. Having a variety of leisure interests helps young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour, reduces boredom and helps them to flourish.

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Outstanding

Children live in an exceptionally safe home environment. They identify with trusted adults with whom they can share their fears and worries. Young people say that they feel safe in the home and the staff team look after them well. The parent of one young person said, ‘I have regular telephone contact with the home and I’m confident that staff are doing their best to keep him safe. ’ Staff listen to what the young people say. They take their views seriously and respond to them appropriately. One member of staff said, ‘It’s really important that we listen to everything the young people have to say. Sometimes, they inadvertently tell us things about each other. For instance where their peers might go to if they are missing. Essential information such as this is vital if we are to keep youngsters safe.’ Children present with a variety of needs and behaviours, which include going missing from home, smoking, substance misuse, learning and developmental

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Outstanding

impairments and sexualised behaviours. The staff team frequently discuss each young person’s behaviour and ongoing peer group relationships. They develop specific strategies for dealing with individual behaviours and they respond robustly and proactively in identifying any triggers or concerns. For example, when the staff team become aware that young people are looking for opportunities to run away, they effectively distract them and engage them in alternative activities. The staff team have an excellent insight into, and awareness of, the relevant safeguarding policies and practice used in the home. They know who they can contact and what action is necessary if they are concerned about the safety and welfare of any young person. In addition, they communicate exceptionally well with other agencies and professionals, maintaining good relationships with social workers, the independent reviewing officer, the local authority designated officer

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Outstanding

and the police. A police officer said, ‘One young person has recently been through a really rough patch and has had quite a torrid time. I keep in touch with the staff and we all work very well together to try and keep them safe.’ Despite the best efforts and vigilance of staff, some young people continue to put themselves at risk by going missing. Staff use their in-depth knowledge of the young people concerned to look for them in their usual haunts. They often use covert strategies such as disguising themselves in order to get close to the young people concerned before they are seen and the young people are able to run away. Staff work collaboratively with the police. They regularly share information and intelligence about known contacts and locations where young people might go. The dedicated approach of staff helps to ensure the safe and speedy return of young people. Return home interviews take place and young people are

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Outstanding

encouraged to settle back into their normal routines within the home as quickly as possible. Staff discuss pertinent issues such as running away, stealing and drug use with young people at carefully selected times in order to elicit a more positive response. They engage young people well in dialogue about their behaviours and record them clearly as key-worker sessions. They detail their concerns and the potential risks to young people, making them aware of the actual dangers to their health and well-being. Young people receive incentives, rewards and treats when they show progress and demonstrate positive behaviour. These range from financial rewards to trips out to the cinema or go-karting. Some young people regularly require the sensitive intervention of staff to help them to regulate their emotions and behaviour. They use their excellent knowledge of de-escalation strategies to help them do this. On the very rare occasions when

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Outstanding

this doesn’t work, staff use restraint to intervene sensitively, preventing young people from causing harm to themselves and others. This calming response leads to more socially acceptable behaviours from young people. Clear records detail the nature and need for physical intervention. This provides young people with an accurate account of their care and behaviours should they wish to view their case records at a later date. Staff work exceptionally well together in a coordinated and consistent fashion to provide young people with consistency and stability in their lives. They are positive role models. They implement clear boundaries in relation to acceptable behaviours and they promote good behaviour. Staff challenge discriminatory behaviours and support young people to learn how to treat and respect others. This leads to better relationships within the home and increases young people’s awareness of their

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Outstanding

personal responsibility. Detailed, in-depth risk assessments are clearly recorded and reflect the actual levels of harm young people face. Risks to individuals are clear and well understood. Staff take thorough, robust and immediate action to minimise the risks young people might face. Effective and cohesive multi-agency working supports this and ensures that a coordinated approach to risk management takes place.

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Good

The leadership and management of the home are effective and consistent. The registered manager is both qualified and experienced and he has been in post since 2008. There is support from two deputy managers who deputise effectively in his absence. Together they provide strong leadership to a full complement of motivated and enthusiastic staff. They provide excellent role models for the young people in their care. Recruitment practices are thorough and robust. Essential checks on the safety and suitability of new members of staff are carried out in a timely and efficient manner. This means that adults working with young people do not place them at risk of abuse or exploitation. The delivery of training is through both internal and external sources and provides staff with good opportunities to enhance their skills and develop their expertise. Staff are supported to develop areas of expertise and to act as a reference point

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Good

for all staff and young people. For instance, one member of staff has the lead role for ensuring that children and young people, as well as their work colleagues, are kept fully up to date with new initiatives in relation to the prevention of child sexual exploitation. Another member of staff has a similar role for keeping abreast of new research and initiatives relating to the misuse of drugs and alcohol. Formal staff supervision takes place regularly and includes practice observation. This is on top of the day-to-day support available from managers who operate an ‘open door’ policy. Senior staff members develop their management skills having deputised for the registered manager in his absence and by undertaking relevant training. Young people benefit from being looked after by a staff team that is qualified, competent and knows how best to meet their challenging and complex needs. The managers and staff take children’s complaints seriously. Although children

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Good

know how to complain formally, they rarely use this process. Instead, they prefer to address their concerns directly to staff whenever they feel aggrieved. In addition, the open culture of residents’ meetings enables a collective response and provides children with a platform to share concerns. This helps managers to develop care practices, to identify difficult relationships within the home and to take quick, decisive action, for instance, by using diversion techniques and increasing their awareness of where young people are within the home at all times. Regular monitoring takes place by someone independent of the home in addition to the internal monitoring carried out by the registered manager. This collective monitoring allows any shortfalls in care practice to be highlighted. However, the internal monitoring does not provide a clear evaluation of the information gathered. The registered manager and staff are therefore unable to

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Good

determine clearly what works well to help improve the life chances and outcomes for young people. In addition, the external visitor does not have the written permission of the local authority or the young people themselves to review individual case files. This means that the privacy of young people is not fully protected. Staff and managers understand the plans for young people and show a firm commitment in driving these forward to ensure that progress is made. They advocate vigorously on behalf of young people, set aspirational goals and support them to achieve important milestones. The managers have a good understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. They recognise how the home’s size and group dynamics affect young people. Staff work extremely hard to ensure that the environment remains as homely as possible, given the size and layout of the building. The home meets its aims and objectives as set out in its statement of purpose.

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Good

Additional information is available in the children’s guide, which provides details about life at the home and what young people can expect from living there. However, this is written in one standard format and does not take into consideration the different academic abilities or reading abilities of young people. This means that the guide is not easy to understand for all young people.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children’s home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children’s home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children’s home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, but the children’s home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children’s home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 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

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Information about this inspection

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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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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