Children's Home run by Newcastle City Council in Newcastle upon Tyne

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

External monitoring of the home is conducted by an independent person. A previous requirement to obtain consent from the young people for the visitor to read their files has been met. This ensures that the young people understand their specific role and allows the visitor to review information contained in their files. Reports from the independent person from recent months have not contained a rigorous evaluation of the safeguarding arrangements in the home. Some reports contained opinions and evidence which have been copied over from the previous report. This does not assist the home in identifying weaknesses to ensure the welfare of the young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people live in a home which does not provide a consistently good standard of accommodation throughout. Some areas have benefited from recent redecoration, including the main lounge. Further recreational spaces are being developed, such as the gym, which is nearing completion. Hallways and other communal areas are in need of redecoration due to minor damage and marks from wear and tear. This compromises the overall presentation of the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, not all serious events that have involved young people placed in the home have been notified to Ofsted in line with regulations. Records demonstrate that appropriate action has been taken following these incidents, including effective partnership working with the police, education professionals and social workers. However, the regulator has not been kept up to date in relation to these events to allow full and proper oversight of safeguarding arrangements in the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Internal monitoring systems include the six-monthly report which is submitted to Ofsted. This report now contains more in-depth evaluations of the information gathered. This assists the registered manager and senior staff to focus on specific areas of improvement in the forthcoming months.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children‘s guide to the home has been revised. It now has a child-friendly format. The young people confirmed that they receive the booklet when they move in and it has helpful information about their new home. The young people speak warmly about the staff members who help them. They feel safe in their home. One young person commented: ‗I used to be in a bad way before, but since I have been here, the carers help you. I have changed for the better since being here. I am more independent now.‘ Another young person said: ‗I have stopped offending so much since living here. I see my family more, and it‘s better when I see them.‘

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A social work professional spoke positively about the strong partnership working with the residential staff, and commented: ‗The staff team support children of different ages and stages of their life, and do it well. They demonstrate ―stickability‖ with the young people they care for.‘

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people continue to make good progress. In particular, they successfully learn life skills and independence through the use of the integral flat. This allows the young people a safe space to experience living, budgeting and cooking for themselves. The young people engage with substance misuse services, and some of the young people have reduced their use of psychoactive substances. This has improved their physical health and well-being, as well as impacting positively on their temperament and behaviour. Healthy lifestyles are promoted. The young people take part in community-based fitness classes and gym sessions, as well as watching local football matches as a group. This supports positive engagement in structured activities, social development and friendships.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This children‘s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people who have emotional and/or behavioural needs. It is run by a local authority.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/05/2016 Full Good 05/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/07/2015 Full Outstanding 18/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets 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

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— (a) a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; (b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; (c) there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; (d) a child protection enquiry involving a child — (i) is instigated; or (ii) concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or (e) there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(a–e)) 01/05/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person‘s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person‘s opinion as to whether— (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children‘s well-being. (Regulation 44(4)(a)(b)) 01/05/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  For children‘s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children‘s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‗institutional‘ impression. (‗Guide to the children‘s homes regulations including the quality standards‘, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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 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.

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 0300123 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, 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,

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

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

p.7