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 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

Since the last inspection, the home has experienced an unsettled period which has now passed. At the previous inspection, only one young person was living at the home, and they have continued to make progress. The staff continue to support the young person well in managing negative aspects of their behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of the previous inspection, one other young person was being supported by the staff but was living away from the home while having treatment in hospital. The staff were keen for the young person to return to the home and ensured that their room was available. The young person did start to have some visits home. Initially, these went well but a serious safeguarding incident occurred between two young people and it was felt that this was not the most appropriate placement to meet their needs. The staff dealt with this incident well, and discharging the young person was the right course of action. While in many ways this was not a positive outcome for this young person, they are continuing to get appropriate support and this is positive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person was admitted to the home for a short placement. The staff worked with this young person and their family. They were able to support the young person to return home in a planned way which was the aim of the placement. This was a positive piece of work.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the unsettled spell, two other children and young people have been admitted to the home and the staff have worked hard to support them to settle in successfully.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the previous inspection there was one recommendation. It related to ensuring that the young people were supported to attend education. The recommendation has been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is skilled and has relevant experience. As a result, the registered manager continues to lead the strong and committed team of staff well. All the children and young people currently living at the home are now making progress. This includes very good school attendance and clear progress in other areas of their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is dedicated and innovative in its work and is very child-centred.

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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 or mental disorders.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/10/2016 Full Good 11/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/12/2015 Full Good 21/10/2014 Interim Sustained 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 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: 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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