Children's home run by Northumberland County Council in Northumberland

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 home is going through a period of change in that the dynamics of the group have altered, with young people moving on as part of their care plan and young children arriving, requiring stability in their lives. The registered manager and her team are currently adapting to this change with the same vigour as they have done previously. An independent reviewing officer said:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

I am sure they will provide the stability and show the tenacity that I have observed on other occasions. They provide consistent messages, and I am informed at that same time as the social worker with regard to any significant issues or events.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The relationship between staff and the young people is excellent. The staff engage with young people immediately on their return from school, showing interest and genuine warmth. The young people are treated as individuals and the responses are tailored to their unique characteristics and behaviours. One member of staff was observed interacting with a young person utilising Lego therapy. Opportunities are taken to build upon relationships through the use of play, supporting social interaction. At the same time, a young person was preparing a meal, following a recipe with appropriate guidance and support from a member of staff. Another young person was excitedly preparing himself for football that evening. Constructive activities engage young people in social and interactive communication. Respect and praise were evidenced in abundance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person has moved on recently as part of his plan. The registered manager spoke very highly of him, expressing how proud they all were of what he has achieved. The key-worker is still involved in ensuring support is offered and available if required. There are notable achievements of moving on to independent living and successfully attending college for the second year, on a course of his choice. Continued support from known and trusted adults enables young people to develop their confidence, resilience and respect for others. The registered manager and her staff team ensure that the support they provide is responsive to individual need and is provided with equality in mind. The young people are supported to reach their goals with positive outcomes. However, changes in plans are also supported and respected, always mindful of young people’s rights to decide in a safe way what is right for them. Staff are supportive, which provides young people

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

with respect and the knowledge that support is available if required. The registered manager ensured that support from the local authority was continuous when a social worker was on leave, with another assigned to ensure continuity of care. This is an example of good practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A member of the locality inclusion support team attends monthly case meetings and provides advice about supporting young people with social interactions both in the home and at school. This provides a wrap-around approach to meet the individual needs of young people. Individual work and guidance to staff were made available in a recent team meeting. This ensures that all staff have a greater understanding of individual behaviours and therapeutic interventions in order to support young people, manage their behaviours and support social interactions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most of the young people are attending school 100% of the time and are provided with numerous activities of their choice including boxing, football, dancing and visits to the beach to engage in playful games around the dunes. This array of activities will allow for a targeted approach to the current behaviours associated with bullying that exist in the current group of young people. The staff are addressing these behaviours as they occur. However, further individual and group work is required. Therefore, a recommendation has been made to specifically concentrate on this aspect.

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Information about this children’s home

The home accommodates four children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/12/2016 Full Good 13/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/07/2015 Full Good 10/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendation

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The capacity and competence of staff to build constructive warm relationships with children that actively promote positive behaviour provide the foundations for managing any negative behaviour. Staff should have the skills to respond to each child’s individual behaviour. When necessary, they should manage conflict, maintain constructive dialogues and react appropriately. In particular, staff should utilise the processes of key-work with children to help them to develop understanding and empathy towards each other. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.14)

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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. Whenever 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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