Children's Home run by Darlington Borough Council in Darlington

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection of the home in April 2016, one requirement and two recommendations were made. The requirement and recommendations have been addressed fully. This is testament to the good leadership and the committed staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager consults with the staff team and the young people routinely to improve the documentation in the home. The quality of the residential placement plans has improved and is now being reviewed again with the intention of ensuring that information is more user friendly and better evaluated. These ongoing enhancements increase the accessibility of the information, improve the planning process, and ensure better outcomes for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are progressing and their outcomes are good. The staff utilise their knowledge and skills developed through training in anti-bullying, e-safety and child sexual exploitation in their day-to-day work with the young people. A review of a young person’s e-safety booklet shows that staff use their skills in practice to help keep children and young people safe. This demonstrates commitment from the staff team to ensure that safety plans in place for young people are working documents that are child friendly. The process enables staff to engage with young people in equipping them with a safe forum for learning and sharing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people’s relationships with the staff are positive and relaxed. Trust is evident in their interactions, demonstrating that the young people feel safe and protected within the home. Young people are provided with a nurturing and respectful environment. One member of staff stated: ‘We are a really good team. We work well together and consistently, providing a stable and caring environment. Key worker sessions are supportive and offer positive praise.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported in their education and do very well. Communication with other professionals is positive, ensuring that best outcomes for the young people are paramount. Achievements and events are celebrated, and young people are encouraged to have their friends visit. One young person was able to celebrate her prom night by enjoying the whole experience with her friends, with photographs being taken of the group in all their finery. This enables young people to develop positive memories and enhance their confidence and well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is very well decorated and provides a feeling of warmth and security. The young people are encouraged to take pride in their home and have personalised their bedrooms. They have also been encouraged to develop the back paved garden area with bedding plants, and plans to introduce climbing plants to improve privacy are well under way. This encourages ownership in their environment. The staff engage with the young people well and promote their involvement in decision-making. The young people’s views are evident in most plans, when appropriate, and young people are supported to express their feelings. As a result, the young people develop empathy, compassion and the powers of negotiation through safe dialogue.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home operates within its statement of purpose and meets its aims and objectives. The young people are provided with access to the guide, and to additional information appropriate to their safe care. The young people are supported in their communication and contact with their families, ensuring that relationships are respected and supported especially during difficult times. This enables the young people and their parents to feel valued, allowing time for reflection. The young people develop resilience and social skills through positive communication with the staff, sharing experiences and strategies to deal with everyday life events.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no actions from this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for three young people 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 14/04/2016 Full Good 17/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 27/08/2015 Full Good 24/03/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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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 that 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, 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

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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