Children's Home run by North East Autism Society in Durham

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 improved effectiveness . The young people are happy in their home and they are making extremely good progress. They are achieving in all their outcome areas, with outstanding results. The staff have high aspirations for each young person and they actively promote equality and diversity. Living at this home significantly influences the young people’s accomplishments, and they are flourishing. A social worker said: ‘[Name] is doing really well. He’s so settled, it’s unbelievable. The staff are encouraging him and he has a fantastic relationship with his key worker. He is doing things here that he has never done before. His independence skills are coming on in leaps and bounds. I believe his progress is down to the staff and how they work with him. They are amazing. Overall, I think this home is

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

brilliant, the staff are brilliant, and the manager is brilliant.’ The young people are healthy and they live a very healthy lifestyle. They access the services that they need, which include specialist healthcare services. The young people partake in activities which are wide-ranging and meaningful. The young people access local amenities and are part of their local community. This promotes their inclusion. The provider has recently opened a swimming pool on the same site as the children’s home. This is a great success; it is a firm favourite pastime for all the young people. The young people are eager to attend education, particularly those who now access an alternative curriculum. These young people, who have previously struggled within a school setting, are now progressing rapidly. Their individualised educational programmes are developing their academic and social skills beyond expectations. A social worker said: ‘Everything is going fantastic and [Name’s] alternative

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

education is great for him. He has come on so much and he is happy all the time. He did not communicate verbally until he came to live here. He is more confident and is learning how to be independent. The staff keep him busy all day, which he loves. He gets lots of fresh air and exercise, which he needs. He is thriving.’ Exceptionally well-planned transitions significantly reduce stress and anxiety for young people moving on from the home. For young people who have complex needs and profound autism, a change in placement is often a distressing life event. The registered manager and the staff work closely with other professionals to ensure minimal disruption. They support the young people from the planning stage through to the actual move, and afterwards. This level of commitment and support is excellent. The young people live in a safe home and their safety is paramount. Superior risk management and very good staffing levels successfully reduce risks to the young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people. All of the staff are knowledgeable about safeguarding the young people and they know what to do if they have any child protection concerns. The registered manager robustly monitors all potential risks to the young people, which maintains their safety and welfare. A social worker said: ‘I have no concerns at all about safety at the home. My young person is safe, and the staff are vigilant in making sure [that] he is supervised at all times.’ Behaviour management is a strength. Highly individualised behaviour management plans, which the staff know of and understand, are consistently effective. Improvements in the behaviour management plans meet a recommendation raised at the last inspection. There has been a drastic reduction in the use of restraints for all the young people. For one young person, who had numerous restraints in his last placement, there have been none for over seven months. This demonstrates

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

outstanding practice. A social worker said: ‘[Name] has had no restraints since August, which is amazing. He now has his own space where he can self-regulate. Staff know him so well, and know his behaviours and indicators. He trusts them, and they respect him. This home is great for him.’ Outcomes in relation to leadership and management are outstanding. The registered manager leads a very skilled and committed staff team that focuses on the young people and their outcomes. Partnership working, with other professionals and families, is very purposeful. This provides the young people with high-quality holistic care. A social worker said: ‘Communication is excellent. The staff do a lovely monthly report for my young person so I know what is happening. The staff come to all the meetings and reviews and they fully contribute. Feedback from parents is very good. The staff go over and above to support the young people.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff feel supported, listened to and valued. Staff morale is very good. Regular supervision and staff meetings encourage good communication and information sharing. All statutory training is up to date. A staff member said: ‘This is the best place to work, I love it here. We all get on well, we work together and we all want the best for our young people. They are amazing. We are included in what happens to the young people and I can talk to any of the managers about anything.’ The registered manager has actioned a number of developments since the last inspection, which has improved the home’s performance. A new approach to consulting with the young people is having positive results. The staff employ various ways to seek the young people’s wishes, feelings and views. These include using vibrant visual aids and interactive tools. An example of the staff thinking of innovative ways to engage the young people is

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

a large ‘family tree’ painted on a wall with lots of photographs of a young person and her family. The young person loves to look at the photographs and she likes to hold and ‘flick’ them. Staff have attached all the photographs to the wall using Velcro. This enables the young person to move her photographs if she wishes, to change them and to play with them. This thoughtful, individualised practice enhances the young people’s lives. Another development is a drive to ensure that all the staff attain a minimum Level 3 children and young people’s diploma qualification. The staff are fully supported and mentored to undertake their training. Currently, all staff, except one member who is a recent starter, have a Level 3 diploma. The provider has sponsored a staff member to complete an additional Level 5 diploma qualification, and another is partway through her Level 5 training course. This investment in the staff further

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

improves their skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the young people. There are additional improvements to the home’s internal monitoring systems. The registered manager has implemented a ‘live’ computer system that provides up-to- date information about the young people, health and safety checks and the young people’s case files audit checks. This ensures that important information is readily available to the staff, senior managers and social workers. There are also measures in place to progress the quality of the independent visitor’s report format so that it better reflects outcomes for the young people. The registered manager has actively contributed towards the changes in the new report format, which will better drive improvement. There are no new requirements or recommendations.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for nine children and young people who have a learning disability and autism. It is operated by a private provider.

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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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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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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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