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

Inspection report children's home: SC458754 1 SC458754 Registered provider: North East Autism Society

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care and accommodation for up to six children and young people who have a learning disability and an autistic spectrum disorder.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 21 to 22 November 2017

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 22 February 2017

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home requires improvement to be good because:

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Key findings from this inspection

 Not all areas of the home present as a homely environment.  The use of fob-locks on internal doors restrict the children’s and young people’s Inspection report children's home: SC458754 2 liberty.  A high turnover of staff has resulted in an increased use of agency and casual staff.  The staff duty roster does not include important details that are required by legislation.  The children’s and young people’s written residential plans do not clearly set out their needs or how these will be met.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The children and young people are progressing and achieving. They have positive relationships with the staff and with each other. Parents feel supported, and the staff have very good working relationships with other professionals.  Educational outcomes are good and the children and young people are supported to stay healthy. Activities are varied and meaningful, and the children and young people are made to feel welcome in their local community.  The children and young people are safe and their welfare is promoted. Behaviour is managed positively.  Leaders and managers have high aspirations for the children and young people. The registered manager has a good oversight of each child’s and young person’s care and support.  The staff team is valued and supported and they receive the training they need to meet the children’s and young people’s needs.  The children and young people are consulted, taking into account their age and

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/09/2016 Full Outstanding 25/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/05/2015 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC458754 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all areas of the children’s home present as a domestic, homely environment. 31/01/2018

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing injury to any person (including the child) or serious damage to the property of any person (including the child). (Regulation 20 (1) (a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the children’s and young people’s liberty is not restricted by using fob-locks on the internal doors of the children’s home. 31/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (2) (e)) 31/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. (Regulation 37 (2) (a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the staff duty roster includes all details of the staff working in the home. 31/12/2017

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the children’s and young people’s residential plans clearly set out their needs and how these will be met. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 11.1)

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, the home has undergone a major refurbishment. It now consists of four self-contained single-occupancy apartments along with a shared Inspection report children's home: SC458754 4 communal area. Each apartment comprises a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge, a bedroom and a bathroom. The apartments are spacious and comfortable and the children and young people have chosen their own decor and soft furnishings.

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improvement to be good

The children and young people have settled into their new accommodation. They have their own allocated staff to support them, which provides good individualised care. All of the children and young people have an autistic spectrum disorder, and they experience varying levels of sensory issues and/or behavioural problems. Having their own apartment reduces external factors that contribute to the children and young people experiencing undue stress and anxiety.

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improvement to be good

A parent said: ‘My son has not been here for long and the staff have been amazing. The apartment is much better for him as he likes the peace and quiet. I can see he is happy and much less anxious as he finds it hard to tolerate noise.’

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improvement to be good

The communal areas of the home are less appealing and they do not provide a homely environment. The doors leading into the apartments have unnecessary fire signage displayed and what look like external door locks. In addition, the doors are fitted with large unsightly door stoppers that would not be used in a domestic setting. These fixtures give the home an institutional feel.

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improvement to be good

The communal lounge is small and dark, with only one small window that looks directly onto a metal fire escape. The lounge is nicely furnished and decorated, but there is not enough seating for all of the children, young people and the staff to socialise together. There is no garden but there is direct access to an outside paved yard. There are plans to create an outdoor sensory area but as yet this work has not started. Consequently, it is not yet safe for the children and young people to use.

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improvement to be good

The children and young people have made very good progress from their starting point, and since the last inspection. They are all excelling in education, with 100% attendance. The school is on the same site as the home, which significantly reduces stress levels for the children and young people who struggle with transitions. The staff work closely with teachers to provide good, consistent care and support that significantly contributes to the children and young people meeting their educational goals.

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improvement to be good

A teacher said: ‘Although [Name] has not been in the home for long, he has been in the school since April. He is so much happier since he moved into the home. There used to be a lot of issues when he had to go back to his previous placement; his behaviours really escalated. Now when he finishes school, he says [the name of the children’s home] and he looks really happy. There is very good cross-working with the home, which gives [Name] the consistency he needs. This is the best home that I work with.’

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improvement to be good

The children and young people have very good relationships with the staff and with each other. The staff’s nurturing, caring approach fully engages the children and young people and trusting bonds are formed. The children and young people are able to follow their individual routines, which comforts and calms them. They access a wide range of activities that give them very positive experiences and accessing the community builds Inspection report children's home: SC458754 5 their self-confidence and self-esteem.

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improvement to be good

A social worker said: ‘There have been some very good outcomes for my young person. He has problems socialising but he has been going out with the other young people and he has made a friend. He has never had a friend before. The staff send me details of [Name’s] activities, and they are impressive. He has done more since he moved into this home then he has ever done in his life so far.’

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improvement to be good

The children and young people are healthy and they live a very healthy lifestyle. They have access to the healthcare services they need, and they are supported by a speech and language therapist and an occupational therapist. All of the children and young people are gaining good independence skills. Having their own apartment, with access to their own kitchen and washing facilities, etc., is proving to be instrumental in the children and young people developing the skills they need to move into adulthood.

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improvement to be good

A parent said: ‘[Name] is learning so much. He can make tea and he has started to help with the cooking and shopping. He tidies his flat and he always asks us to come in. At his last home, he used to tell me to leave. I can see he is very happy.’

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improvement to be good

Managing transitions is a strength. The staff are particularly sensitive as to how difficult change can be for children and young people who have an autistic spectrum disorder. All transitions are meticulously planned in accordance with the children’s and young people’s needs and the staff work closely with previous carers, parents and other professionals.

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improvement to be good

A social worker said: ‘My young person had a very good transition. The staff worked closely with staff at [Name’s] previous placement to facilitate a smooth transition. They worked at [Name’s] pace and the school also supported the move as they know [Name] and they were able to work with the staff at the home.’

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improvement to be good

The staff receive regular child protection training, and they know what to do if they have any concerns about a child or young person’s safety. The registered manager oversees all safeguarding aspects in the home and she has a good working relationship with local safeguarding agencies. This promotes the children’s and young people’s welfare.

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improvement to be good

There are, however, issues around restricting the children’s and young people’s liberty. This is because the provider has installed fob-locks on internal doors in the home. All of the apartments have a fob-lock on the door that leads from the apartments into the communal area. This means that the children and young people are unable to freely access all areas of their home. In addition, one of the apartments has fob-locks on all of the internal doors within the apartment. This potentially deprives the young person living in the apartment of their liberty. These measures, which hinder free movement within the home, compromise the children’s and young people’s rights and their equality and diversity. Inspection report children's home: SC458754 6 There have been no children or young people go missing, and none are at risk from exploitation, extremism or radicalisation. There is no bullying in the home and, where

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improvement to be good

appropriate, the children and young people have access to advocacy services. This offers the children and young people an independent safeguard to promote their rights.

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improvement to be good

Behaviour is managed positively. This supports the children and young people to develop their social skills and their social interactions. The staff are skilled in managing children and young people with behavioural difficulties, with very positive outcomes.

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improvement to be good

A social worker said: ‘Since moving here, [Name] has really settled down. He was restrained in his last placement but he has never been restrained here. He used to lash out a lot, but this has stopped. This is the best he has ever been.’

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improvement to be good

The children’s and young people’s risks are reduced by good staff observation and supervision. The staff are attuned to the children’s and young people’s moods and what triggers potentially lead to distressed behaviours. The staff’s consistent approach and their knowledge of the children’s and young people’s routines and rituals create a calm, soothing environment. This helps the children and young people to self-regulate their stress levels.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The registered manager has been in post since April 2015. She has the knowledge, skills and qualifications to manage the children’s home. The deputy manager has recently been promoted to the position of manager. Pending a successful fit person interview, to be registered with Ofsted, she will take over the management of the home. The proposed new manager is an experienced practitioner who has developed a wide range of skills and knowledge in caring for children and young people who have an autistic spectrum disorder. Together, the managers form a strong team that actively prioritises the children’s and young people’s needs and their outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Overall, the internal and the external monitoring of the home is good. The registered manager focuses on outcomes for the children and young people, and their views and wishes are very much taken into account. The staff use a range of communication aids and indicators of positive well-being to include the children and young people, taking into account their age and understanding.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Parents and carers are very much supported and included in the care of their children. The staff regularly communicate with parents and carers to seek their views and to keep them informed about their children’s progress and development. Contact arrangements are supported and the staff facilitate all family visits. This enables the children and young people to maintain important family relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

A parent said: ‘Communication with the staff is very good. They contact me every night to let me know how [Name] is. I have no concerns whatsoever; the staff go out of their way to make [Name] happy.’ Inspection report children's home: SC458754 7 The registered manager and the staff work in partnership with a range of professionals and other agencies to ensure that the children and young people receive holistic care. This proactive partnership working enhances the children’s and young people’s positive outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

A social worker said: ‘I am very happy with how things are going. [Name of the deputy manager] knows what she is doing and she has a very good relationship with the young people. I am kept fully up to date, and I know [Name] is safe and well.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The registered manager and the proposed manager oversee the care and support of the children and young people. They are strong advocates and they will challenge other agencies if they feel that the children and young people are not accessing the services and support they need. There are, however, some shortfalls in the home’s care planning; specifically, the home’s written residential plans. The plans are onerous in places, and some of the information about how the children’s and young people’s needs will be met is contradictory. Although this has not yet significantly impacted on the children’s and young people’s care and their outcomes, inconsistent planning could potentially affect the children’s and young people’s development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There has been a high turnover of staff since the last inspection that has led to the regular staff working overtime and an increased use of casual and agency staff. This creates instability within the staff team and having regular staff changes is unsettling for the children and young people. There are also issues with the staff duty roster. The roster does not identify casual and agency staff, and there are no designations recorded for the regular staff so that it is apparent who is in charge in the absence of the registered manager. Some of the information about staffing levels for the individual children and young people is incorrect, and where new staff are recorded as doing ‘shadowing shifts’, they are actually counted in the regular staffing numbers. Inaccurate duty rosters make it difficult to monitor safe staffing levels, and it could potentially compromise future concerns or investigations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The members of the core staff team feel valued and supported, and they speak very highly of the registered manager and the new manager. They receive the training they need to meet the children’s and young people’s needs. New staff are made to feel welcome and they are very enthusiastic about working in the home. They receive a thorough induction and they describe working at the home as, ‘the best place to work’ and, ‘all the staff are lovely and so helpful’. The provider has recently recruited staff to fill all of the current vacancies, which is a positive move forward.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

A new member of staff said: ‘The support I have received since I started is second to none. I have regular supervision and I have a mentor to help me. All the staff are so helpful, this is the best place I have ever worked at.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There are four requirements and one recommendation arising from this inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report children's home: SC458754 8 Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences 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.

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Information about this inspection

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 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: SC458754 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: North East Autism Society

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 15 Lumley Court, Drum Industrial Estate, Chester-le- Street, County Durham DH2 1AN

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Inspector:

Debbie White, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC458754 10 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:

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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