Children's home run by Right-Trak Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home’s effectiveness has declined due to shortfalls in relation to the management and recording of some safeguarding events in the home. The registered manager took immediate action to address these deficiencies, but these had not been identified in internal monitoring systems. Since the previous inspection, there have been allegations made against members of staff by children. Some of these allegations have been dealt with in accordance with the home’s safeguarding policy, but not all. Not all of the allegations have been shared with the local authority’s designated officer for professional consultation, advice and direction. Records of safeguarding incidents do not consistently demonstrate what actions have been taken by the staff to safeguard children. Not all records sampled by the inspector showed a clear audit trail, which the registered manager can use to evaluate and monitor to ensure that

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

safeguarding policies have been followed. This compromises the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements in the home. Medication administration systems have been reviewed. The staff now follow a revised process if they have to administer controlled drugs when lone working with children off site. This review means that children’s community-based activities are not unduly disrupted and children’s medical needs remain met. The storage of prescribed medication in the home requires improvement. Not all prescribed medication is kept in a locked cabinet. The provider took immediate action to address this shortfall and to ensure that medications are stored securely at all times. A previous requirement, to ensure that records of restraint contain more detail about what type of restraint hold has been used, is met. There have been 12 physical interventions since the last inspection. Records now document clearly how

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

staff members physically support children during a restraint. The staff successfully use distraction techniques and work together well as a team to avoid the use of physical intervention whenever possible. Children benefit from living in a large property, which offers them a variety of space to play together or spend time alone safely. There is an abundance of toys, music and activities, which children access freely. Children like their bedrooms and personalise them to reflect their own identities and likes. A new therapy room is currently being developed, which will give children a dedicated space in the home to spend time with professionals. Observation of the premises during the inspection highlighted a build-up of fluff and small items of clothing behind the tumble drier, creating a potential fire risk. This potential hazard had not been identified through internal safety checks. This potentially risks the safety of the children and the staff in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessment processes have been improved. These documents now include all risks relating to an individual child, and these risks are graded. Actions to reduce risk are clearly identified for staff members to follow. This creates an effective risk management process. Children take part in a wide range of community-based and on-site activities. These include swimming lessons, arts and crafts, cinema trips, after-school clubs and woodland walks. These promote children’s interests, social development, friendships and good health. The children receive individualised support and therapy, which help them to manage their emotions and past trauma. As a result of this therapeutic approach, their behaviours positively change over time. Observations of children show that they are relaxed in their home. They take advantage of the many games and the varied play equipment on offer. They interact positively with staff members.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback from a professional about the quality of care in the home included: ‘Most of all, [Name] has been able to build trust and attachments to adults. [Name] is able to accept help now and express their own needs.’ Family members spoke positively about how the home works in partnership with them. Parents said: ‘The staff team never give[s] up on children.’ Parents also said: ‘They keep [Name] safe and they are helping [Name] with their behaviour.’ The registered manager’s internal monitoring reports evaluate the previous six months and form a plan for the forthcoming months. These reports now contain more explicit feedback from parents, children and others. This more detailed feedback helps the registered manager to understand areas of strength and of further development.

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Information about this children’s home

This home accommodates up to six children who have emotional and/or behavioural needs. It is operated by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 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, 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

12. In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to following appropriate policies and procedures to keep children and young people safe, the registered provider must ensure – (2)(a) that staff – (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and (vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. 31/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

12. In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to the removal of the build-up of fluff and clothing behind the tumble drier, the registered provider must ensure – (2)(d) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. 31/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

12. In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to ensuring that the home’s policies are effective, the registered provider must ensure – (2)(e) that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. 31/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23(1)) This is with particular reference to the safe and secure storage of all prescribed medication. 31/03/2017

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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 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 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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