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

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

The children and young people are safe and settled in this home. They continue to make good progress supported by a strong, knowledgeable staff team. The home has been through a difficult time managing the risks that previous young people posed to themselves. The manager and staff team have reflected on the impact that this has had on the home and addressed all of the issues raised at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The group of children and young people have changed, with one young person leaving and another admitted since the last inspection. Both transitions were well planned and the staff team continue to support the young person who has moved into a semi-independent living provision. The impact of new young people joining the home is risk assessed and visits take place before admission. This process was taking place during this inspection for a young person hoping to move into the home in the near future. He was welcomed by everyone and spent time getting to know the children and young people. The impact is that placements are more likely to be successful and sustained.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between the staff team and children and young people are good and effective. They are characterised by physical demonstrations of love and warmth, a sense of nurturing and good humour. This enables children and young people to feel safe and secure, contributing to their ability to achieve positively in all areas of their lives. A social worker stated: ‘They allow him to be himself; what more can you ask for.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education is valued and well supported. All of the children and young people attend well and are achieving well from their starting points. The staff team work hard to ensure that they develop positive relationships with education providers and advocate strongly on behalf of the children and young people. An educational professional said: ‘I have seen a great improvement in [child’s] confidence and behaviour... They challenge us appropriately, just as I would expect any parent to do.’ The impact is that children and young people feel supported and enabled to value education and achieve in their individual situations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Contact continues to be seen by the staff team as a vital part of any child or young person’s life. Records demonstrate that the team keep in regular contact with family members and update them as appropriate. In addition, contact is supported either through supervision of visits or by transporting children, young people or their families to suitable venues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of missing for the children and young people currently placed are reducing. The use of physical intervention is rarely used and records demonstrate that if this is deemed necessary it is carried out within guidelines. Sanctions continue to be used as a means of managing behaviour, but are balanced with a large number of positive rewards. This allows children and young people to learn to manage their own behaviours and understand the impact of their behaviours on themselves and others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leadership and management is strong and effective. The experienced registered manager is supported by a capable deputy, allowing them to address issues of practice and development of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team work well in partnership with other professionals to ensure that children and young people progress well. Meetings are well attended. Recording has improved and reports, when required, are clear and factual. This, along with strong advocacy on behalf of children and young people, allows for clear, effective decision-making. This enables children and young people to develop trust in the adults caring for them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No new staff have joined the team since the last inspection. Supervisions are carried out regularly with the staff team and include evidence of reflective practice. Appraisals are carried out in line with the home’s policy, and contain targets and timescales for review of actions. This ensures that staff are supported in their development and continually improve the care provided to children and young people. A member of staff said: ‘I feel well supported by management and have been able to reflect on and change my practice.’

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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 three children or 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 14/06/2016 Full Good 16/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/01/2016 Full Good 12/03/2015 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, 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

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Information about this inspection

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

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