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 last 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

The home has made very good progress in developing its written short breaks care plans. The new plans are very creative and have been individualised with the full involvement of the children and young people and their key workers. Each care plan has a child-friendly theme of their choosing which visually attracts their attention immediately. This creative engagement process has enabled the children and young people to become more proactively involved in their planning and outcomes. One young person’s plan utilises communication aids throughout, promoting their understanding, which enables them to express their wishes and feelings. The transition of children and young people to the home remains a strength. The management and staff take great care in ensuring that the children and young people are introduced to short breaks at their own pace. The parents and siblings are integral to this process, as they are encouraged to be fully involved in sharing

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the experience. One sibling was described by a parent: ‘He insists on carrying his brother’s case when he comes to stay, taking his case directly to his room.’ This inclusive involvement of the family supports a positive view by those using the service and reduces any feelings of anxiety. Parents and their children are provided with a comprehensive information pack in appropriate readable formats at the point when they start to access short breaks. The information packs are very clear and informative. This promotes transparency in the service that is being provided. There are effective relationships between parents and carers. The management and staff use an electronic communication tool, ‘Marvellous Me’. This promotes a quick and easy process for sharing day-to-day experiences and achievements of the children and young people who are accessing short breaks. Videos and photographs detailing their activities while in the staff team’s care are shared

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

safely. A parent said: ‘They provide me with photos and videos, which is great. I love it.’ This enables parents to feel confident and reassured that the children and young people are fully engaged in positive, social activities during their stay. The staff team is well-trained and experienced in delivering safe care. Many of the children and young people accessing short breaks have medical needs, physical disabilities, as well as autistic spectrum disorder. The knowledge and experience of the staff team provide an environment that is safe and responsive to individual needs. Many tasks require personalised care, which is delivered with sensitivity and respect, ensuring at all times that the children and young people are treated with dignity. The children and young people are encouraged and supported in meeting their personal care needs when this is appropriate and if they are able. This promotes confidence and self-esteem in the children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There remains some confusion about the frequency of reviewing short break placements. Annual reviews take place, but the placing authority has not carried out six-monthly reviews as per the short break statutory guidance. A recommendation remains for this reason. This oversight does not allow for a fully effective process of review for each child and young person to ensure that they continue to be appropriately placed. The manager and the staff team need to continue to be proactive in updating care plans and risk assessments when changes occur. These are live documents and, therefore, ensure that care is delivered in a holistic way. Any omission could impact upon a child or young person’s overall safe care.

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides short break care and accommodation for five children and young people who have physical and/or learning disabilities and sensory impairment. It is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 29/06/2016 Full Good 10/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that there are effective care planning and regular placement reviews of each child's short breaks placement, in line with the short breaks statutory guidance. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.2)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that case records and risk assessments are kept up to date. In particular, to ensure that, where a risk is no longer identified, it is removed. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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, 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 at 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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