Children's home run by Durham County Council in County Durham

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

There has been a settled period at the home. Most of the young people have made good progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has worked hard to build a staff team which is strong. Despite some changes in the staff team, it is providing an improved service for the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There was one requirement made at the previous inspection and it has been met. The staff have received more training and the standard of recording by the staff has improved significantly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two safeguarding incidents involving two of the young people in the home. As a result, one young person left the home in an unplanned way and has not returned.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people have been admitted since the previous inspection and both are settling well. One of these young people has been reported missing for short periods of time but the staff have worked hard, sometimes in cooperation with the police, to support this young person through their difficulties and they have been kept as safe as possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three young people have remained at the home since the previous inspection and all of them are on long-term placements. They are all working towards independence; all of them are making very good progress and clearly maturing and growing up.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some of the young people have settled in college and are doing well; others continue to attend school well. Some have become more independent, socialising more and accessing community activities more. Several of the young people have improved contact with their families and this is excellent. Others have been well supported by staff and other external specialist workers to deal with emotional difficulties better and this is also helping both their progress and experience. In summary, the young people are clearly relaxed and content at the home and are working towards positive outcomes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations have been made at this inspection.

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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 31/05/2016 Full Good 23/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/11/2015 Full Good 27/03/2015 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 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 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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