Setting in North Tyneside

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, the home was not judged .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of this inspection there were no young people living in the home. This means that it was not possible to judge the impact of the support provided to young people or to assess how they experience living in the home. The service is currently under review with a plan to develop the staff team in order to look after young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The staff team is working across other homes run by this provider. At the time of this inspection, the home is not taking any new referrals. For this reason the home was not given a judgement at this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The physical environment of the home is of a high standard. It creates a ‘homely feel’ and is well maintained. The bedrooms for young people are comfortable, clean and tidy. Each room is different and young people are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms when they come to live in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is qualified for its role and all staff have either completed or are undertaking CQC level 3, or equivalent, in children and young people. They are up to date with safeguarding training and have all recently completed training on behaviour management and positive handling techniques. The registered manager has clear arrangements in place to ensure that all staff receive regular formal supervision and have individual learning and development plans. This ensures that they are well supported for their role and have the skills and knowledge to provide care for vulnerable young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people who have lived in the home since the last full inspection have moved on in accordance with their care plans. Some have moved on successfully to another home run by this provider and others have successfully returned home. Where it was apparent that the home was unable to meet the needs of some young people, the provider worked effectively with the placing authority to make a planned move to more suitable accommodation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The records in the home are well organised and generally maintained to a high standard. The registered manager monitors recording closely and takes action to challenge and focus on improvement if standards fall short of expectations. The manager continues to monitor the health and safety policies and systems, to ensure that the home remains fit for purpose. Management monitoring is enhanced by an independent visitor, who continues to visit the service each month.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is currently evaluating the effectiveness of the service in order to build on strengths and identify areas for improvement. She has a clear development plan in place to build an effective team in order to enhance the support and care offered to support young people with complex needs. She keeps the statement of purpose of the home under regular review.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s records in relation to behaviour management show that staff are able to manage challenging behaviour effectively. Sanctions are seldom used and staff are resilient when faced with challenging behaviour. They work effectively as a team to provide consistent levels of care and boundaries. This helps young people to improve their behaviour. Physical intervention is only used when this is absolutely necessary to prevent harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The records in relation to complaints demonstrate that the home is responsive when dealing with concerns. They investigate complaints objectively and communicate well to make sure that any concerns are addressed and resolved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records in respect of recruitment show that staff are only employed if they have relevant experience and display the qualities needed for the role. They are subjected to rigorous checks and vetting to ensure that they are of good character and are suitable to work with vulnerable young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of the care and support plans for young people who have recently lived in the home were not of consistent quality. One care plan identified clear aims and objectives. It described how staff were supporting the young person to make progress. Another care plan was vague and lacked focus. For example, where health needs were identified, there were no recorded strategies for meeting these needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider sometimes relies on general company policies that are not specific to the service. The home’s guidance in respect of protecting young people from self- harm is generic. It does not give sufficient guidance to staff as to how they should work together and use local partnerships to support young people who may be vulnerable to self-harm.

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Information about this children’s home

Barnardo’s children’s charity operates this home. It provides care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, or mild to moderate learning difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/10/2015 Full Good

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The policies and procedures for the protection of children should include arrangements to counter risks of self-harm and suicide. (Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards, page 44, paragraph 9.19)  Effective care planning is essential to the success of placements. The home’s care and support plans should clearly identify the intervention and support in place to help young people make progress. These plans should link clearly to the young person’s relevant plans and help identify small steps in order and demonstrate how young people are making progress. (Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards, page 56, paragraph 11.2

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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, 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

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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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