Children's Home run by North East Autism Society in Durham

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Children and young people receive exceptional care and support that fully meet their needs. All are progressing and thriving as a direct result of living at this children’s home. Care planning is highly individualised and written plans fully underpin outstanding care practice. Transitions into and from the home are meticulously planned, which fully support children and young people.  Staff actively consult with children and young people, taking into consideration their age and understanding. Children and young people are involved and included in their local community and they access a wide range of meaningful activities.  Children’s and young people’s educational outcomes are inspiring. Partnership working with the on-site school, particularly the alternative education provision, has resulted in exemplary outcomes.  Children and young people are safe. Risk management is effective. Behaviour management is personalised and effective, which significantly

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

enhances children’s and young people’s lives. Innovative and positive behaviour management has noticeably reduced the use of physical interventions.  Partnership and inter-agency working consistently improves children’s and young people’s quality of life and their outcomes. Staff advocate to promote children’s and young people’s rights. Family inclusion and support are excellent.  The staff team is enthusiastic, highly committed and puts children and young people at the heart of its practice. They initiate, develop and nurture outstanding relationships with children and young people that are based on trust and respect.  Leadership and management are extremely effective. Strong, consistent management contributes highly to a stable environment and outstanding outcomes for children and young people. The registered manager has very high expectations that are mirrored by the staff team. Internal monitoring is

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

effective and drives improvement and development.  There are some minor recording shortfalls relating to monitoring of restraints.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all records of restraints are monitored and reviewed to identify effective practice and where any issues or trends of concern emerge (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59).

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for nine children and young people with a learning disability and autism. It is operated by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/05/2015 Full Good 25/11/2014 Full Adequate 24/09/2014 Full Inadequate

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Outstanding

Children and young people receive excellent care that meets their needs. Accomplished staff put children and young people at the heart of their practice, with outstanding results. Highly individualised support leads to children and young people making extraordinary progress. They are happy, settled and thriving. A parent said, ‘This is a marvellous place. The staff are fantastic. They all have big happy smiles, they are excellent carers and they have taught my child loads. She is so much more independent. They look after her really well. She is progressing better than I ever thought and she is doing so well and she is happy. The changes are massive.’ Care plans, written by staff, are highly individualised and child-centred. The focus of the plans is to ensure that children and young people have the best possible outcomes. The registered manager and staff team have high aspirations for each child and young person. Outcomes from this inspection fully support that dynamic,

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Outstanding

purposeful care planning fully underpins exceptional practice. A parent said, ‘They are absolutely excellent. Being a parent it’s a huge thing for your child to be outside of your home. This is without a doubt the best place. It’s purpose built. It’s got a good school. Staff are excellent. I have never seen a better place than this.’ Staff strive to engage children and young people to form trusting relationships. They are patient, kind and very caring. Children and young people respond positively, which enriches their lives and instils inner confidence and well-being. A parent said, ‘The staff know my child. They do a wonderful job. I can relax now. I know she is safe and well looked after. They will do anything for her. We can’t manage her at home so we come here and always feel welcome. We come every Christmas day, the family, and we have lunch here and have a great day with our daughter. I couldn’t ask for more.’

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Outstanding

Children and young people have enriching day-to-day experiences. The environment is very homely and decorated to a high standard. There are lots of carefully chosen photographs that capture children’s and young people’s unique personalities. This, along with child-friendly wall displays and collages, makes for a calming, warm space where children and young people feel very much at home. Staff fully understand that children and young people with autism need their personalised routines and individual sensory support. The staff team’s consistency in the delivery of each child’s and young person’s day-to-day care is unquestionably having a significant positive effect. There are many examples where children and young people have progressed beyond expectation. The delivery of this innovative approach fully enriches children’s and young people’s lives. Children’s and young people’s health needs are met to a high standard. They have

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Outstanding

access to the services that they need, including specialist healthcare services. Staff have forged good working relationships, and protocols, with local health services to support children and young people who experience difficulties accessing healthcare within the community. For example, arrangements are in place for community nurses and dentists to see the children and young people in the home. This reduces their anxiety and distress. A social worker said, ‘My young person has a significant learning disability and profound autism. Children’s mental health services oversee his care and we have monthly care meetings. Staff are very good at communicating with [name] and working with the mental health services in seeking advice and support.’ Educational outcomes are excellent, particularly where children and young people access an alternative education programme. Not all children and young people are able to cope with a classroom setting and where children and young people attend

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Outstanding

this programme the results are extraordinary. One young person who struggled with her transition to school, which could take up to two hours, now happily waits for the school bus to take her to her alternative educational activities. Not only is the child happy, she is excelling academically. The child’s mother said, ‘She is doing great. School is brilliant. She used to refuse to go. Now, she can’t wait for the bus. They do a wonderful job. I can relax now. I know she is safe and well looked after. They will do anything for her.’ Children and young people are consulted, taking into account their understanding and communication abilities. Staff employ a range of techniques to engage and involve all children and young people, which takes their views and wishes into account. This respects children and young people and fully promotes inclusion. Activities are wide ranging and meaningful. This gives children and young people

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Outstanding

opportunities for new experiences and increases their socialisation and learning. Good support is given to group and individual activities and children and young people are asked what they like to do. The home has suitable vehicles to travel and good staffing levels ensure that children and young people can participate in activities when they wish. A social worker said, ‘[Name] has been out on outings with other children, which is massive for him. He loves swimming and going to the pool. When I last visited, he threw the ball at me. This is very good progress and shows he is interacting. He tends to spend time in his room so staff bring activities to him. This is very good.’ Transitions into and from the home are meticulously planned, which is outstanding practice for children and young people with autism who struggle with change. A new young person, recently admitted, had an excellent transition in that he settled

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Outstanding

very quickly into his new surroundings. Staff put together a comprehensive written transition plan that included: staff visiting the young person in his previous placement and working with staff employed there; completing a full multi-disciplinary written pre-admission assessment that fully covered the young person’s needs and how these will be met; staff met with the young person and his family to ascertain their support needs and wishes; the young person was consulted about his preferences as to how he wanted his new living space decorated and furnished; and that plan included a list of practical tasks, such as registering with local healthcare services and his education provider. This level of planning is exceptional. The young person’s mother said, ‘He is doing so well and he is so happy. They take him out swimming and for bar meals. He has been here about five weeks and is coping really well. His move over went well. The staff here worked with the other

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Outstanding

staff. They have got him hoovering and washing up. His job is to take the re- cycling out. They are turning him into a right housewife. I have been a few times and always feel welcome. It’s a lovely place. They look out for all the children. Staff are very friendly and they treat the children as their own.’

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Good

Children and young people are safe and feel safe. Staff are aware of children’s and young people’s known risks and how to reduce these. Risk management, including individual risk assessments, are robust and regularly reviewed. This ensures a high priority is given to children’s and young people’s welfare and well-being. A parent said, ‘Other places couldn’t cope with my child. The staff are super strict on safety. He is 100% safe. They keep in touch with us and we trust them 100%. They have to cope with very difficult behaviours. They do a great job.’ There have been no children or young people missing and none are at risk from exploitation. Good staffing levels alongside close supervision and observation keep children and young people safe. Staff maintain good links with local police to ensure that swift actions will be taken if any child or young person is at risk of being missing or exploited. This joint working and understanding of children’s and

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Good

young people’s needs and vulnerability promote safe care. Staff regularly receive child protection training and know what to do if they are worried or concerned about a child or young person. The registered manager has good links with local safeguarding officers who provide advice and guidance upon request. Children and young people are guided, within their abilities and understanding, about how to stay safe. These proactive measures ensure good safeguarding practice. Most children and young people have profound needs that link to their behaviours. Staff know that feelings of distress and increased anxiety often lead to challenging behaviours. They are skilled in managing difficult behaviours using a range of de- escalation techniques. This, as well as staff having trusting relationships with children and young people, has significantly reduced the number of physical restraints used. The impact on children and young people is substantial. It reduces

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Good

their fears and stress around restraints when they are unable to understand why they are being held or restricted. It also actively promotes their rights and dignity. A social worker said, ‘I am really happy with [name’s] placement, and happy with the provider. Communication is excellent as was [name’s] transition from hospital. [Name] was in hospital for 10 months with a lot of behaviours and restraints. Since moving, he has had no restraints, they manage his behaviours with de-escalation, breathing exercises and allow him to self-regulate. All previous placements have involved lots of restraints. He is much happier here. Although [name] can’t talk, he smiles a lot and makes his happy noises. He has a very good relationship with staff. His parents are very happy.’ All children and young people have a comprehensive behaviour management plan that is regularly reviewed and updated. The use of restraints is rigorously

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Good

documented and records clearly set out any pre-disposing factors or triggers, measures taken to prevent a restraint, how a child or young person is held, how the restraint has impacted on a child or young person and if any injuries are sustained. This level of scrutiny protects children and young people from unnecessary restraints. Regular monitoring occurs both by the independent visitor and the registered manager. In the main, their views are recorded within the home’s records and identify the appropriate use of restraints and any possible concerns or trends. However, there are some records that not have been completed in full. Although this has not currently impacted on the children and young people accommodated in the home, there is a risk that incomplete recording may lead to concerns being overlooked.

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Outstanding

Vibrant leadership and management have significantly improved the home’s performance and outcomes for children and young people. The registered manager has a wealth of experience and the knowledge and skills she needs to operate a highly effective, outstanding service. The registered manager started her employment with the provider in 2009. Her substantive post is that of operations manager for children’s services. However, senior managers asked that she take over the management of this home following a series of concerns relating to outcomes for children and young people. Ofsted registered her as a person fit to hold the position of registered manager in February 2013. The registered manager has a very good knowledge of all children and young people and their needs. She is fully involved with their care and support and is a strong advocate for children’s and young people’s rights. All leaders and managers

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Outstanding

are involved in the delivery of day-to-day care. They work shifts and undertake sleep-in duties. As a result, children and young people are familiar with leaders and managers and have very good relationships with them. A staff member said, ‘You can talk to the manager, and she spends lots of time with the children, which doesn’t happen in a lot of places. She knows what goes on and the young people really relate to her.’ The on-site school headteacher said, ‘The home is very good. The managers are very effective and know the children. They know the direction they are going and they have high expectations of the staff. They help children develop their social skills, and teach them how to problem solve. The sensory support is excellent. Staff are very knowledgeable. It is a happy and relaxed home.’ Working directly with the staff team also allows for first-hand observations and monitoring practice in the home. The registered manager is an excellent role model

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Outstanding

and staff welcome her presence. Feedback from staff is extremely positive. A staff member said, ‘This is a lovely place to work. It is very person-/child-centred and it’s a great staff team. It’s not like a job. I love coming to work. The manager is great, and there is such a difference since she came.’ The staff team is committed to its work and the children and young people. They are highly motivated to improve children’s and young people’s lives and believe that every child and young person deserves the best possible care and the same choices and opportunities as any other child and young person. They have a great respect for the children and young people, their leaders and managers and for each other. This provides for a consistent, cohesive team that delivers a first class service. A staff member said, ‘I love it here. It’s the best thing I have ever done. The best things are the children. They are fantastic. The staff are wonderful and the

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Outstanding

management team is good. They always listen to staff, discuss things and they are very supportive.’ A key line of enquiry for this inspection was to review staff turnover during the last two years. Previous inspections have highlighted this issue. The registered manager has worked hard to improve staff recruitment and retention and has made excellent progress. Staff said, ‘This is the best staffing we have ever had’, and, ‘We have the best staff team. We all get along and work together. I love coming to work.’ A number of new staffing initiatives are proving successful. Improved recruitment screening, including a strong focus on interviewing applicants, has ensured that new staff have a strong commitment to working with children and young people. Better support through induction, including mentorship and regular meetings with the registered manager, has stabilised staff retention. The introduction of career progression opportunities and additional bespoke

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Outstanding

training is encouraging staff to stay in their employment. These measures have resulted in a strong, committed staff team that feels highly valued and supported. This provides children and young people with stability. A staff member said, ‘My induction was very good. I had some corporate induction then induction in the home. I had lots of support and a mentor. The manager did my supervision. I felt I could ask anyone anything. I have recently got a developing senior role. You apply for this post, and get extra training to help you get a promotion.’ The home achieves the aims and objectives as set out in the statement of purpose. The statement provides parents and social workers with good, detailed information about what services are available for children and young people and their families. Consequently, placing authorities are able to make informed decisions about the suitably of the home before placing children and young people there.

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Outstanding

Partnership and inter-agency working unreservedly contributes to children’s and young people’s successful placements and their progress. All the professionals consulted during this inspection were highly complementary about the registered manager and the staff team. Communication and information sharing is very good. This enables all professionals to work together effectively in the best interests of children and young people. Parents are fully included in the care of their children and are regularly consulted on the care delivered and the operation of the home. This inclusion maintains close family links and excellent family support. The registered manager maintains a robust oversight of the home and she is knowledgeable about the home’s strengths and areas to improve. Regular, meaningful monitoring ensures that staff’s practice is of a high quality and remains safe. Written development plans show progress is being made and there are high

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Outstanding

expectations that the home will continue to prosper and in doing so, children and young people will continue to thrive. The registered manager is very good at notifying Ofsted and other relevant agencies of any significant events that occur. The home operates an open and transparent approach that ensures parents, social workers and placing authorities are confident that children and young people are very well cared for and kept safe. The home has progressed by meeting two previous requirements. Amended staff rotas include the hours that staff actually work and children and young people, parents and social worker’s views are now included in Regulation 45 reports.

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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. However, 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 that 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 whom 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, 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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