Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes North East Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report children’s home: SC472795 1 SC472795 Registered provider: Artemis Support Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides accommodation for up to five children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private company.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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Enforcement action since last inspection

None Inspection report children’s home: SC472795 2

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people receive good, effective, warm and nurturing care. They make sustained progress in their physical, mental and emotional well-being.  Young people reach their full potential at school and have clear plans and future goals.  A full range of activities is available. Young people grow in confidence as they try new activities, voluntary work and hobbies.  Staff have a comprehensive knowledge of the young people and their individual needs. They are committed and dedicated to supporting them.  Young people are kept safe and protected because of the actions of staff.  Good-quality, up-to-date care planning documents provide comprehensive and relevant information about young people.  High-quality computerised systems ensure that daily recording is accurate and purposeful. This helps staff to be aware of any concerns that may emerge.  Staff use positive reinforcement strategies to improve young people’s behaviour.

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Key findings from this inspection

Physical intervention is not used.  The manager and deputy manager are proactive in implementing ongoing training and refreshing staff skills.  A robust and structured recruitment and induction process ensures that the best staff are recruited to work at the home.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development

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Key findings from this inspection

 Improve recordings of restorative work completed in key working sessions as well as in daily logs.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 05/07/2016 Full Good 17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/11/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC472795 3

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Recommendations

 Effective care planning and strong working relationships between the staff of the home and the placing authority are essential to the success of placements (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.2). In particular, the registered manager should ensure that all information regarding dietary and cultural needs is received from the placing authority.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people benefit from living in a large, well-decorated and comfortable home. They have their own personal space decorated to their choice and their own private bathrooms. They are involved in all aspects of home decoration. Young people said they are happy and settled in their home. They get on well with the staff and have genuine respect for them. One young person said: ‘[Staff name] is awesome! He’s always laughing and smiling. He makes me feel relaxed and happy. He’s always in a good mood.’ For the majority of young people, this has been their most stable placement. Staff enjoy spending time with young people. Staff know the young people exceptionally well and are highly motivated to ensure that they reach their full potential. As a result, young people engage well in monthly meetings, activities and charity work in the home and have strong links with the local community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Good-quality care planning ensures that young people’s needs are identified and met. The meticulous and timely review of plans ensures that care is adapted to meet changing needs. A staff member said: ‘[Young person’s name) needed to improve his confidence, as part of his independence skills. We found him some voluntary work. As a result, he is now much more confident in talking to people he does not know.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Close partnership working with general and specialist health professionals further enhances the consistent care provided. Staff take advice on managing behaviours and new approaches. This has been extremely beneficial when managing a new admission. Staff are open to advice and guidance and are proactive at changing their styles to suit the needs of young people.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people work with their key workers to develop their own plans. Through informal methods of key working, young people benefit from learning new ways to manage situations. Staff are proactive and skilled at using reflective practice. The Inspection report children’s home: SC472795 4 trusting relationships that result from this empower young people to accept care and boundaries. However, staff need to improve their recording of these interactions to demonstrate more fully the high level of care they provide.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The dedicated manager, deputy manager and staff team show genuine care for all the young people. Consequently, young people develop strong and appropriate attachments to them. This restores their faith in adults and shows them a positive alternative to their previous experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are flourishing because of the consistent care they receive. They are all in an education provision where they are making impressive progress. One young person is now attending college and aspires to become a barber. Due to the support and encouragement he has received from staff, he is now working to a solid plan to achieve this. Staff support young people throughout their transition to independence. Young people are enabled to identify their own independence skills and areas of weakness. One young person identified, through the reflective work that he has completed with staff, that he is not ready for independence. As a result, he is challenging his plan with the support of an advocate.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people enjoy planning and participating in a range of activities. They enjoy exploring the local area and having regular holidays further afield. Their growth in social and life skills gives them the confidence to try new experiences and forge positive relationships with their peers and the wider community. This supports their independence plans and equips them well for their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff strive to build good relationships with families and important contacts. This enables young people to maintain and restore familial bonds. Where necessary, staff sensitively support supervision of contact arrangements. This allows all concerned to enjoy their time together. A parent said: ‘The home always [keeps] me informed. I get a weekly update and I can phone them anytime. I know [Name of young person] is well cared for.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One young person has moved on to a new placement within the same organisation, since the last inspection. Careful planning and assessment ensured that this move met the needs of the individual and the young people still resident in the home. Staff have ensured the safety of all the young people while maintaining important relationships for the young person who has moved on.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people are safe here because the manager and staff understand the potential risks in the local area and take steps to minimise these. Consequently, young people are living in a safe environment. A comprehensive range of individual risk assessments support the work that staff do to safeguard young people, while allowing them freedom to engage in fun activities.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The home is equipped with a sensor system that alerts staff to people entering and Inspection report children’s home: SC472795 5 leaving the building. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) equipment is in discreet operation, allowing staff to monitor the external areas of the home. This ensures that staff can maintain the safety of young people. There have been no missing from home episodes in this inspection period. However, staff update their training regularly and can confidently explain what they would do if a young person went missing. This would help them to respond swiftly and appropriately in the event of a young person going missing.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The consistent use of restorative practice empowers young people to develop appropriate ways of managing their behaviour. Young people have a clear understanding of safety and their own risks. They are able to identify risk and learn how to safeguard themselves. Young people said they feel safe. A young person said: ‘I feel very safe with the staff. I have a job here, and I have college. I really do not want to move. Staff have done loads to help me. They got me the voluntary work and that’s boosted my confidence. I’d give them 10 out of 10. They’re brilliant.’ In addition, young people thoroughly enjoy the positive rewards they receive for good behaviour. This teaches young people the benefit of having good relationships based on warmth and respect.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff team members are excellent role models. Their consistent, caring and measured approach demonstrates respectful relationships. Young people learn from this and make exceptional progress in managing their behaviour. As a result, there has been no use of physical intervention in over a year. Staff maintain their knowledge of and training in physical intervention. This ensures that they can respond efficiently and confidently in any event.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Complaints information is readily available in the home and detailed in the children’s guide. Young people have access to advocates and staff promote this. One young person now has an advocate as extra support, in order to challenge the local authority appropriately regarding his plan. He said: ‘I have an advocate. Staff have supported me to do this and given me the confidence to talk to someone else.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager, supported by an equally capable deputy manager, has high aspirations for all the young people. The manager is suitably qualified and has 15 years’ experience working with children and young people. She leads her staff team to deliver consistent and good-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There were no requirements at the last inspection, and all recommendations have been met. This demonstrates the staff team’s capacity to improve. There were no breaches of regulation identified at this inspection and one recommendation was made. The manager must ensure that all necessary information is received from the placing authority. This will ensure that the cultural and dietary needs of young people are consistently met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Systematic and thorough recruitment procedures ensure the best staff match for the Inspection report children’s home: SC472795 6 young people. Staff receive full support to obtain further skills and qualifications that benefit the care of young people. A comprehensive induction programme and regular quality supervision ensure that staff remain enthusiastic and committed to young people. A staff member said: ‘Management support is excellent. They are approachable and I get good, regular supervision. I can talk to them anytime I need to.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff team have an excellent computerised system that enables them to maintain good-quality records and to avoid missing pertinent information. This consistent proactive approach allows effective review of day-to-day care planning, tailored support and long-term planning. As a result, parents and partner agencies receive regular weekly updates on the progress of young people. A social worker said: ‘Staff always keep me updated. I receive weekly updates always. They’re friendly. [Name of young person] is progressing well in their care. He has made massive improvements. It’s an excellent placement.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff team are proactive at effectively challenging partner agencies when necessary. The manager is tenacious in her approach and promotes her staff to advocate for young people. They tirelessly push to achieve the best outcomes and escalate their concerns when faced with resistance. This ensures that young people are heard and their wishes and feelings are addressed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Independent monitoring is carried out regularly. The manager uses her findings to make swift improvements when needed. The manager’s own auditing processes are detailed and evaluative. They incorporate the views of all concerned to ensure good- quality and consistent care. This contributes towards young people’s safety and the promotion of their well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home’s statement of purpose informs: Our overall purpose is to promote the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated and to offer a high standard of quality care individually tailored to the needs of children and young people in order for them to reach their true potential.’ Young people’s significant personal growth and progress demonstrate that the staff are meeting this aim.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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. Inspection report children’s home: SC472795 7 Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how

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Information about this inspection

well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC472795 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Artemis Support Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 31a Station Road, Whitley Bay, Tyne And Wear NE26 2QZ

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Inspector

Abby Maspero, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC472795 9 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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