Children's Home run by Stockton Borough Council in Stockton-on-Tees

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is now registered and is moving the service forward in her own particular style. The staff have responded to the change enthusiastically. They are as committed as ever and continue to provide an environment that is filled with positivity. The staff have a very warm and nurturing approach to ensure that the young people reach their maximum potential with support and continuous guidance. The young people respond positively to the homely atmosphere and the attentive way that staff guide and support them every day. Achievements and awards continue to be evident in the home. The young people and the staff celebrate together with enthusiasm. There is a real sense of togetherness in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions are supported in the home, and the current focus for all the young people is education in one way or another. Provisional offers of college places and stepping up to the next educational year are given the same dedicated support, and the praise that follows all successes. Plans for adulthood are made in advance, developing independence skills with key workers and documented in a very visual and child-friendly format. Recognition of young people’s improvements is evident in formal reviews and care planning processes. How young people are supported is also demonstrated through ‘journey letters’ kept in individual memory folders for all the young people. The young people’s confidence is demonstrated by the way they present themselves, and their pride in their achievements clearly has a positive impact on their self-esteem and sense of belonging.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff have engaged with personal advisors and ‘Youth Direction’, a support network for young people engaging with education. This has enabled young people to be provided with a supportive environment during a key stage of their transitional development into colleges. The registered manager is aware of the challenges ahead both for young people and the staff in ensuring the emotional aspects of transitions are managed well. The young people are provided with a lot of opportunities to discuss and reflect on their progress, enabling them to express their anxieties in a compassionate environment, and to build their resilience and strengthen their emotional well-being. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed, providing opportunities for staff development and for reflection. A staff member commented: ‘There have been lots of changes to paperwork. We consider different ideas and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

potentially different interpretations. The manager identifies strengths and weaknesses.’ A reflective and constructive framework is in place for supervision, including a standalone section headed ‘safeguarding’. This provides opportunities for staff development and constructive evaluation, and complements the already diligent focus on safeguarding that is evident on a day-to-day basis.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Plans are already being made for the summer, including an opportunity to travel overseas. More locally, the young people spent a day with a Premier League football team, experiencing a ‘kick about’. One young person said: ‘It was an amazing experience, seeing my favourite football player and team.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been refurbished, which has improved the appearance. The young people were very involved in selecting furnishings and colour schemes. The conservatory is now far more appealing and has resulted in the young people being able to entertain friends and to have a private space if required, in comfortable surroundings. The staff and young people spoke very positively about the home’s appearance, and are all proud of it.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no requirements or recommendations from this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to care for up to four young people who have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The registered provider is a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/11/2016 Full Outstanding 11/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/11/2015 Full Outstanding 18/03/2015 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 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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