Children's Home run by South Tyneside Council in South Tyneside

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out as a result of a serious incident notification in relation to a young person living at the home. The incident is currently being investigated by the police.

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This monitoring visit

The young person concerned had a substantial history of trauma and of personal difficulties, mental health concerns and some self-harming behaviours. They had been receiving specialist care to support their mental health for some time prior to admission and during their time at this home.

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This monitoring visit

The young person had made good progress during their time at this home and developed very good relationships with the staff, particularly with the registered manager. A number of professionals concerned with the care of this young person had commented on their very positive progress. Initially, the young person had high levels of supervision at the home but, more recently, following an appropriate risk assessment, they had been leading an active, independent life. Throughout their placement at this home, the young person had made progress in their education and good progress in their independence skills. They had improved considerably in confidence and resilience and were looking forward to turning 18 and living independently. They had taken a full and productive part in life at the home and in the wider community.

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This monitoring visit

The staff had put a care plan in place and were working with the young person to achieve the shared goals and targets. There were risk assessments in place which the staff had developed in conjunction with other professionals involved in the care of the young person and with the young person themselves. Positive steps had been introduced to help minimise risks, and these were acted on appropriately when required. In particular, risks relating to going missing from the home were well assessed, clear, followed by staff and police, and designed to reduce risk.

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This monitoring visit

The young person went missing on the night prior to the day of the incident and may have misused substances. The staff kept in telephone contact with the young person throughout the night. The young person returned to the home the following morning and spent time talking to staff, the police and crisis mental health professionals who, while concerned with her behaviour, did not assess that the situation was at crisis point.

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This monitoring visit

The young person left the building later that morning, against the advice of the staff, and was immediately reported missing as per the agreed risk assessment. The staff had two further telephone conversations with the young person soon after this. The content of these telephone calls was reported immediately to the police. Because of this rapid action by staff, the police and other emergency services were able to locate the young person quickly and engage with them prior to the incident. This monitoring visit has found that the staff have offered a good level of care to the young person throughout their stay at the home. The admission of the young person to the home was changed from a short-term placement to longer-term care, due to the positive progress being made. Care plans, risk assessments and placement plans were of a good quality. They were regularly reviewed and followed by staff and other agencies. In particular, staff reviewed and followed risk

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This monitoring visit

assessments in relation to the young person being missing. Staff and police worked effectively together to meet the individual needs of this young person, based on their risks.

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This monitoring visit

The young person had been making good progress in their life and the indications were that they were positive about both their current situation and their future.

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This monitoring visit

The staff and young people have all been well supported by senior managers and specialist staff from the local authority since the incident.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a local authority and is registered for the care and accommodation of up to nine children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out as a result of a serious incident notification in relation to a young person living at the home. The incident is currently being investigated by the police.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. out in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

to 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

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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