Children's Home run by Duty of Care Limited 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

No children or young people have been admitted or discharged since the previous inspection. There have been no staff changes and the registered manager continues to develop the service. All of the children and young people are making good progress and in many areas this progress is very good. All of the children and young people attend school or college, with full attendance, and continue to make significant progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team has received additional training in attachment theory and therapeutic parenting and now have regular support from an external psychologist. Because of this, the staff are working in a more in-depth way with the children and young people and this is having a positive effect on their well-being. All of the children and young people have external specialist support as well as skilled key- work from the staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The health needs of the children and young people are well met. The children and young people are supported by the staff to maintain good quality relationships with their families wherever possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no safeguarding incidents, no children or young people have gone missing and there has been no bullying recorded. Staff have not used any physical interventions and have only used a few appropriate sanctions. No complaints have been made. Safeguarding has been particularly strong over the recent period.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Each member of staff has an excellent relationship with the children and young people, and uses this to discuss and negotiate ways forward when issues arise. There is an incentive and reward scheme in place, which is effective in promoting positive behaviour. The staff are nurturing and strive to respond to the needs of the children and young people in therapeutic ways. This approach works well and is responsible for the children and young people’s continued good progress and for the relaxed homely feel in the home. There were no requirements or recommendations made at the previous inspection, and none has been made at this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation and is registered for the care and accommodation of up to three children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/08/2016 Full Good 22/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/06/2015 Full Good 06/08/2014 Full Adequate

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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 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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