Children's Home run by Durham County Council in Durham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The staff continue to offer very high standards of care to the young people living at the home. This is particularly impressive given that two young people have very challenging behaviour. One young person has recently left the home and has moved to secure accommodation. This young person arrived at the home having experienced serious trauma, and the staff have been able to do some excellent work and have built some good relationships with them. Following some good-quality therapeutic work, the behaviour of the young person became dramatically more challenging. They now require a period of increased security in order to keep them safe, and the clear plan is for them to move back to the home as soon as this is appropriate. This demonstrates an excellent commitment by both the staff at the home and the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

local authority. It is the best course of action at present. The number of physical restraints has been high. This has been due in the main to one particular young person. The inspector has looked closely at these incidents and considers them to be appropriate and necessary. However, some of the recording around these incidents has not been accurate and so a requirement has been made to improve this. During this time, the house was damaged quite badly, but staff have made good efforts on each occasion to return it quickly to a high standard. One young person has been admitted to the home recently and they have not yet settled or engaged in school or a positive routine. Staff are working hard to support this young person and to keep them safe, as there are concerns about their welfare when they are away from the home. They have been missing on a number of occasions, and, although staff make good efforts to locate and return the young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

person, there are ongoing concerns which have been addressed at a recent strategy meeting. One young person has left the home after a lengthy placement. This move was very well planned and was a very successful move to a semi-independent living setting. This young person had made particularly good progress while living at the home and remains well supported by staff as they are now living nearby. Other young people in the home continue to make good progress and continue to thrive at the home. The staff continue to work well and the registered manager continues to lead the team well. Despite working with some young people who have particularly challenging problems, the service continues to develop. The registered manager and staff are planning in depth for the return of the young person who has left. In particular, they are planning with external specialists for the therapeutic support needed to make the placement successful in the long term.

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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 five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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

35: Behaviour management policies and records The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes – (a)(viii) a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure. (Regulation 35(c)) 25/02/2017

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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 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 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 whom 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 0300 123 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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