Children's home run by Gateshead Council in Gateshead

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last 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 registered manager and staff are highly committed to ensuring that all children who come for short breaks are provided with a level of care that is enhanced by the preparation that takes place before their arrival. The children who regularly attend are matched accordingly with familiar faces, so that friendships are developed. New admissions to the home are meticulously planned, allowing children and their parents to feel supported and reassured at their own pace. One young person came for a tea visit, on which his birthday was celebrated with a party at the home. This enabled the young person to enjoy all aspects of the home, including the beautiful well-equipped garden and especially the trampoline. The spacious and well-maintained building and grounds ensured that the young person, when a little overwhelmed, was able with staff support to find a quiet area. The environment and staff’s attention to detail provide children with an experience

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that is tailored to their individual needs. Their needs and wishes are respected and staff are supportive and responsive to every aspect of their stays.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring systems in the staff office have been reviewed, re-organised and colour- coded to improve upon accessibility. Risk assessment documentation is more robust, due to improvements made since the last inspection. All improvements have the sole purpose of ensuring that information is easily accessible and understood, avoiding, if possible, duplication. This enables staff to have information quickly and therefore they are able to spend more time with the children, ensuring that their short break is always the best it can be. A member of staff said:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

We are always well organised and prepare before children come in. If prepared, you therefore work better with them. A courtesy call is made the night before a child comes for their visit. When a child comes in they are your sole focus.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Quality care is provided through preparation and good communication.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Consultation processes with professionals, parents/carers and the children are robust. This process is very much enhanced by the level of communication which can be observed on an individual basis through the one-to-one work with children. In addition, meetings take place enabling children to make choices about meals and activities. There is also a formal forum, facilitated independently of the staff at the home. A local authority participation officer minutes the meeting, which is attended by a group of the children who access the short breaks. This forum agenda is supported by a questionnaire that is completed in the children’s meeting. Children are empowered by the staff, which enables them to be valued and respected.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The bedrooms are colour-coded and again meticulously prepared for the individual child arriving. Menus are planned in accordance with the group coming in and their likes and dislikes, which are also recorded in their ‘All about me’ booklets. These are completed prior to their first stopover and reviewed with their key-worker thereafter. The cook said:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

I have a food questionnaire to determine exactly what they like and in addition we have theme nights. I think the ‘Spanish’ night is the favourite. I always consider the children coming in and their tastes. We also provide taster sessions for the children which they ask about enthusiastically.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Choice is respected and encouragement with respect to healthy eating and introducing new tastes is apparent. Many of the children who access the service have specific dietary needs and are influenced by tastes and textures of foods associated with their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A social worker responsible for a number of children who access the home was able to state:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff remain consistent; it is an excellent resource. Children are always treated as individuals. They are shown lots of respect and they are exceptionally well cared for and happy; absolutely fantastic.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children develop their independence centred on their self-care skills and their freedom of choice is promoted through various formal and informal forums. The children’s self-esteem and confidence develop throughout their time at the home. Relationships are maintained and memories are created. The registered manager and staff plan events throughout the festive seasons and invitations are sent to all current and previous children and their families. An Easter party is next on the agenda. Photographs from the Christmas event showed the full involvement of staff, children, families and most importantly the happy and excited faces of the children who are past and present visitors to the home. This inclusivity enhances and develops positive memories and a sense of belonging and well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides short breaks for up to five children or young people who have physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities. It is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 29/11/2016 Full Outstanding 29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/09/2015 Full Outstanding 11/12/2014 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 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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