Children's Home run by A Significant Other Limited in Durham

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . The young people are safe, settled and making progress. A young person said, ‘I like it much better here now.’ The new manager has been in post for six months and has been able to establish himself, introduce new staff and make overall improvements.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The staff team has enabled the young people to make good progress in terms of their education. The staff have advocated on behalf of young people well and have arranged for the young people to return to their original schools or move to a school near to the home. The result is that the young people are attending and making some progress with their education. This benefits their social and emotional well-being as well as their academic achievement.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There are no new young people in the home since the last inspection. One young person has returned to his family home and the transition was well managed and supportive.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Relationships between young people and staff have improved since the last inspection. The staff team has embraced the new ethos promoted by the manager relating to the positive use of reflection and a restorative approach. He has used himself as a role model to promote clear communication with the young people and consistent practice. This has enabled the young people to settle well and feel safe in the home. A social worker stated that she is really pleased with the placement here. She said, ‘This is the most settled (Name) has been in years.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The reduction in the number of episodes of going missing continues, as do the incidents of disruptive behaviour. The impact of this is an improved sense of belonging of the young people who live well together more harmoniously.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager and staff team communicate well with others. A social worker commented, ‘The new manager is insightful and advocates well on behalf of the young people.’ This offers a strong foundation for partnership working to achieve good outcomes for the young people. It also models positive relationships with other professionals to the young people, which is often a barrier to effective change which has an impact on their lives. There is a lack of evidence that the local authority in which the home is based had been notified about admissions and discharges. This is essential to ensure that services are planned, available and accessible to the young people living in the area.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The locality risk assessment for the home is in place. This lacked information demonstrating consultation with other services in the area. Improved consultation would contribute to the evaluation of known risks in the local area.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Leadership and management remain good. The registered manager’s vision is now embedded in practice and is having a positive impact on the lives of the young people. At the last inspection, seven requirements were made. The manager has addressed the requirements and has made overall improvements in the service. However, the building remains in need of repair in some areas and some furniture needs to be replaced. These shortfalls were discussed with the manager during the inspection and a recommendation has been made in respect of the fittings and furniture. The four previous recommendations have been met. The home is well kept and is free of any health and safety issues. Risk assessments relating to the animals are good.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Recruitment practice has significantly improved with all required checks now being carried out and relevant information being recorded. The staff are supervised regularly and given the opportunity to reflect on practice in these supervision sessions and in the team meetings.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Training for the staff remains an area that needs to be improved. Mandatory training is carried out. However, records indicate that training is regularly online with no indication of the quality or length of time of this training. It is recommended that face-to-face training is considered as there are different learning styles in the staff team. Improving training would enhance the practice and learning of staff, which would further complement the improvements already made.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation and is registered to care for and accommodate up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/04/2016 Full Good 26/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/08/2015 Full Good 16/01/2015 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 review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in Regulation 12 (2)(c) (the protection of children standard). When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46) 31/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify, without delay, the local authority for the area in which the children’s home is located of every admission of a child into the home and every discharge of a child from the home. A notification under this regulation must be in writing and must state— (a) the child’s name and date of birth; (b) whether the child is provided with accommodation under section 20 or 21 of the Children Act 1989(a); (c) whether the child is subject to a care or supervision order under section 31 of the Children Act 1989(b); (d) the contact details for— (i) the child’s placing authority; and (ii) the independent reviewing officer appointed for the child’s case; and (e) whether the child has an EHC plan or a statement of special educational needs and, if so, details of the local authority with responsibility for the EHC plan or for maintaining the statement of special educational needs. (Regulation 41 (1)(3))

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene and so on). However, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  Sufficient staff means a home having enough suitably trained staff (including someone in a management role) on duty to meet the assessed needs of all children in the home, and that those staff are able to respond to emergency placements, where accepted. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations

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Recommendations

including the quality standards’, page 51, paragraph 10.1)

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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 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

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

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