Children's Home run by Durham County Council in Durham

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 judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be very settled. None of the children or young people has left or moved into the home during the period since the previous inspection. All of the young people living at the home are making good progress and two are making very good progress. The home is small, cosy and comfortable, and staff continue to make small changes to make it even more homely.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no changes in staffing since the previous inspection, although the registered manager has been absent from work for some weeks. A temporary interim manager has been appointed. He has been working in the home as a senior member of staff. He knows all of the young people very well and is familiar with all aspects of the running of the home. This change appears to have worked well with little or no disruption to the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are kept safe at this home. One young person has been reported missing on a number of occasions but the number of missing incidents is reducing. The staff have a good understanding of how this young person spends their time when away from the home and are working constructively to improve this situation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no safeguarding incidents, no bullying incidents and no other significant concerns. There have been no complaints received by the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff offer very clear guidance around expectations and rules, and discuss these with the young people. Consequently, the staff have not needed to use sanctions and there have been no physical interventions. There are incentive schemes in place and the young people benefit from these.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the young people are doing very well in their education and this is impressive. The young people are also able to develop the quality and quantity of their contact with their families and this is well supported by staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has excelled in the sport of their choice, winning a national championship and making the national team. Their trophy sits proudly on the home’s mantelpiece. Another young person is excelling in their education and has high aspirations which are achievable. All of the young people are working in planned ways to develop their independence skills which are realistic and positive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has ensured that the previous requirement to plan care better has been met and it is evident that monitoring continues to be tight and effective. Records are up to date and there is clear evidence that the young people are fully involved in planning their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff do refer the young people to external workers and services when their support is required. There is evidence that the support works well and contributes to good outcomes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team works well together and has been supportive of the interim manager. It is clear that the team effort has contributed significantly to the overall good progress of the young people.

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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 three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/09/2016 Full Good 16/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 21/07/2015 Full Outstanding 28/01/2015 Interim Improved 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 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, workbased 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

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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