Children's Home run by North East Autism Society in Durham

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 home has progressed because the two recommendations given at the last inspection have been met. The registered manager has made changes to the way she monitors safeguarding records, and in particular records of restraints. She ensures that incidents are now evaluated, to maintain good practice in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and young people’s behaviour management plans are also improved. They now include details of the preferred restraint techniques for each child and young person. This gives the staff a clear directive about how to deliver safe care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and young people thoroughly enjoy their short breaks, and they are achieving in many outcome areas. Caring staff nurture positive relationships with the children and young people, and good individualised care enhances the children and young people’s progress. A staff member said: ‘The young people are amazing, and they are doing so well. We follow their care plans, and their targets and they are all learning new skills, especially independence skills.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback from parents and social workers is extremely positive, as is consultation with the children and young people. This demonstrates that attending short breaks provides the children and young people, and their families, with good experiences and much-needed support. A young person was observed to be enjoying his activities and he ‘signalled’ that he was happy and having a good time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is furnished and decorated to a high standard, and it is very homely and comfortable. There are lots of photographs of happy, smiling children and young people, which personalises the communal areas and the bedrooms. There are lots of visual, interactive wall art that is very attractive to the children and young people and helps them to communicate their thoughts, views and wishes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and young people are safe during their short break stays. Good staffing levels provide close supervision and observation. The staff are very knowledgeable of potential risks, and a robust oversight of health and safety issues ensures a safe environment. Activities are wide-ranging and purposeful. Many of the children and young people have taken part in activities, outings and outdoor events that they have never experienced before. This is down to their growing self-confidence and self-belief that they have developed since starting their short breaks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions for new children and young people moving into short breaks, and those moving on are extremely well planned to ensure as little disruption as possible. The staff carry out detailed assessments for new children and young people, to ensure that the home can meet their needs. The staff work with parents and carers to gather as much information as possible so that the children and young people can maintain their usual routines, which is very important for children and young people who have an autistic spectrum disorder.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Where transitions are made into new placements, the staff support the children and young people through each stage of their moving-on plan. They provide extensive information to new placements and work alongside new staff until the children and young people settle into their new environments. A social worker highly complimented the registered manager and the staff team for the excellent work they had done when one of her young people moved on from the home. This level of support is outstanding.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leadership and management outcomes are very good. Leaders and managers focus on improving the children and young people’s lives and their outcomes. The staff team feels valued and supported, and staff morale is high. A staff member said: ‘The manager is very approachable and includes us in what is happening in the home. All the staff get along, and we work well together.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no new requirements or recommendations.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides short breaks for up to six children and young people who have a disability. It is operated by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/08/2016 Full Outstanding 16/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 03/06/2015 Full Requires improvement 04/03/2015 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 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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