Children's home run by Howard House Care Limited 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 judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people have made good progress since the last inspection. Relationships with staff are positive and based on mutual respect. They feel they are consulted and listened to. Educational outcomes are good. All young people attend education and their attendance is consistently high.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health needs are met. Their health needs are recorded within individual care plans. Staff understand what the health care needs of each young person are and they fully support their attendance at all appointments. This promotes good outcomes as well as consistent care and support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities and leisure pursuits. Their individual hobbies and aspirations are supported. One young person said, ‘I’ve been doing some craft work. I’ve been making Christmas decorations.’ Young people also contribute toward the local community by using activities to fundraise for charity. This helps young people to understand the needs of others and to empathise with those less fortunate than themselves.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions to and from the home are good. A previous recommendation to ensure staff make a valuable contribution to the pathway planning process has been addressed. Their involvement in this process has improved. They clearly advocate for the young people in their care to ensure they are fully supported by their local authority in moving into independence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s manager has also addressed a previous recommendation in relation to staff supervision and appraisal. Systems are in place to ensure that all staff, including the manager, receives regular supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. This allows them to reflect on their practice as well as the needs of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Keeping young people safe is paramount. The home has good working relationships with placing authorities, the local police and the host local authority. Notifiable events are quickly addressed and notifications to Ofsted are made in a timely manner. This shows that the home operates in an open, transparent manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback from young people and staff is good. Young people like living at the home and they feel cared for. Staff morale is high and they feel supported. One member of staff said, ‘The home is settled at the minute and all the young people are great. Staff are working well together and we feel as though we’re making a difference to young people’s lives.’

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and run by an independent provider. The home provides care and accommodation for up to 8 children and young people aged 10 - 17 with emotional/behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 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 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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children 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

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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