Children's Home run by Gateshead Council in Gateshead

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, there were three statutory requirements and two recommendations made. The management and staff have proactively improved on outcomes for the young people by ensuring that they have been addressed. This is an indication of good leadership and a committed staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people who come to this home have specific challenges in the behaviour that they present and have a history of placing themselves at risk by going missing from home. The staff provide a consistent approach to each young person, providing a calm and nurturing environment responsive to their individual characteristics. The young people respond well to this approach and have shown notable improvements in all areas of their lives. A social worker said: ‘The staff provide the young person with space and calmness when behaviour can be challenging, which works.’ There has been measurable progress in the reduction of incidents when young people are missing from home and a maturity in their social presentation. Monthly summaries provide a very clear picture of the young people’s progress, which is supported by justifiable celebratory comments referencing their achievements. The young people are provided with a positive environment that

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

inspires high aspirations and enables them to focus on the future. They are encouraged to participate in household activities and they respond very well to developing their cooking skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management and staff work very well with external agencies, including social workers, health professionals and providers of employment. The young people are all engaged in education and/or employment. The staff facilitate transport, either taking the young people to their respective venues or collecting them. One member of staff said: ‘They accept that they have to get up and go.’ The young people are motivated in their activities and when support is required, it is provided unquestioningly. This culture within the home enables the young people to mature and develop their sense of responsibility and independence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Missing from care incidents still occur, but the response from the staff to following procedure is diligent, and post-incident analysis with the young people has a paramount aim of working towards reduction, and developing a young person’s safe care in relation to decision-making. Young people who do go missing and return receive independent support from youth workers who visit the home weekly as well as facilitating return interviews. One youth worker said: ‘They have a fantastic relationship with the staff. The home is really good at supporting young people.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management and staff team take account of known risks, ensuring that communication is positive. They have good working relationships with families and ensure that young people’s personal friendships are appropriate to their age and development, again with safety and care being at the forefront of any decision- making. This enables the young people to develop trust, and also recognises the extended social network around a young person and the positive influence they can provide alongside professional carers. Young people’s decision-making skills are enhanced and promote their self-esteem and independence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Record keeping has improved with the introduction of the electronic recording system, which is now fully embedded within the home. This supports the visual practices that can be observed day to day. Management oversight ensures, through supervision and electronic recordings, that plans are updated in a timely manner, demonstrating any response to change in a young person’s presentation at any given time. This shows how effectively the staff promote care planning that is individual to each young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments show they are reviewed, when necessary, and correspond with discussions within one-to-one sessions, which enables the young people and staff to reflect together on how to address risks. Safety of the young people is paramount within the home, in practice and culture. However, the staff have to be mindful at all times to follow safe care in allowing access to the home, by ensuring that proof of identity is provided, regardless of presentation. The registered manager must also ensure that any notifiable incidents are reported to HMCI and any other relevant person without delay, including where an incident has required the police to be involved. Therefore, failure to act appropriately on the two issues above could result in young people being at risk.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides accommodation for five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/09/2016 Full Good 24/02/2016 Interim Good progress 20/10/2015 Full Good 05/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) 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(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if: an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation: must include details of the matter; the other person, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 40 (4)(b)(5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)) 09/02/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The policy for the protection of children from abuse of neglect should be made available and explained to children and their families as well as to all staff, whatever their role. The registered person must make sure that all of the staff are familiar with this policy and act in accordance with it, in particular how to use it to report a concern. This is with particular reference to the staff confirming the identity of persons prior to them entering the children’s home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.21)

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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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