Children's home run by Outdoor Care Limited in Northumberland

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 sustained effectiveness . At the time of the inspection, there were no children or young people living here. Since the last inspection in July 2016, the young person resident at that time has been discharged, and another who was admitted shortly after has also left. Both moves were in accordance with the young people’s care plans. There is also good evidence to indicate that both placements were successful and achieved their intended objectives. In particular, the first young person to leave had lived here for several years. The home had coped well with some complex and challenging behaviours and had been successful in supporting the young person to maintain college attendance. Planning for his move into supported adult accommodation was extremely thorough and demonstrated excellent partnership working with the new

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

placement, the social worker, and parent. The quality of this transition work has resulted in a very successful outcome for a young person who had significant anxieties about moving on. The other young person was placed here for a short period pending his move to a placement closer to his home area some six weeks prior to the inspection. Planning for his move was similarly well thought out, as was the preparation for his admission. The psychologist who provides consultation for the home reviewed the available information on the young person. She then gave the staff a detailed analysis of how the young person’s previous experiences affected his day-to-day functioning. This proved helpful in devising strategies for supporting the young person more effectively and, in particular, in managing his behavioural challenges. These included running out of the home without warning and placing himself in danger from traffic.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

To safeguard the young person, the registered manager, in consultation with the placing social worker, kept the front door of the home locked. However, this arrangement was not subject to regular review to ensure that it was still necessary and appropriate, meaning that there was insufficient accountability for this restriction of liberty. The good relationships that staff form with young people enable positive work to be carried out with them. They also help to reduce the incidence or severity of any challenging behaviour. There has been only one sanction, and no physical restraints, since the last inspection. Furthermore, there have been no incidents of young people going missing in this period, nor any significant events that needed notification to Ofsted. The relative isolation of the home does not impede young people’s access to services or opportunities for keeping in touch with family. Staff are innovative and

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

resourceful in promoting contact. For example, on Christmas Day, staff travelled some distance to collect a young person’s family members and bring them back to the home to share lunch with them. At the last inspection, one requirement was made. This was to provide more detail in risk assessments relating to activities for young people. The registered manager has partially addressed this, but there is still a need to improve the quality of these assessments. The requirement has, therefore, been repeated. Otherwise, leadership and management are sound. The premises are well maintained, and have benefited from a recent makeover to the bathroom, providing added comfort for young people.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home accommodates one child or young person who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. It is operated by a private company.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

30/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

29/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

12. In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to maintaining detailed risk assessments both of young people and activities n and outside the home, the registered person must ensure that staff:

p.5

Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. 31/03/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:

p.5

Recommendations

 Just as in a family home, children should be able to access all shared areas of their home, unless there are specific reasons why this would not meet a child’s needs. Limits on privacy and access may only be put in place to safeguard each child in the home (regulation 21(c)(i)). Any decisions to limit a child’s access to any area of the home, and any modifications to the environment of the home, must only be made where this is intended to safeguard the child’s welfare. All decisions should be informed by a rigorous assessment of that individual child’s needs, be properly recorded and be kept under regular review. Information on restraint and deprivation of liberty is contained in the protection of children section of the Guide from paragraph 9.41. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10)

p.5

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’.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.7