Children's home run by North East Autism Society in County Durham

Inspection report children’s home: SC405285 1 SC405285 Registered provider: North East Autism Society

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for four children and young people who have a learning disability. All the children have an autism spectrum disorder.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC405285 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/06/2017 Full Outstanding 07/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 20/12/2016 Full Good 07/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC405285 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children and young people receive exceptional support from staff which is tailored to their individual needs. The high quality of care is very nurturing and responsive to their specific needs associated with the complexities of their behaviours, which enables them to develop safely in a homely environment. The children and young people are at the centre of practice and the staff team is entirely focused on maintaining outstanding progress in their positive development.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

A parent made reference to the care being provided as ‘The very highest standard of care … fantastic’ ‘It took over a year for me to decide that it was right for [Name]. I was supported very well, and I was impressed when I saw [Name] and the standard of the home. I was put at ease by the staff, who are wonderful. They are friendly, and they are lovely on the telephone and face-to-face.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

A social worker commented on staff practice, saying, ‘Their organisational skills are unbelievable. They are so accommodating; they will work around us, always welcoming on our visits to the home. [Name] can now be a child of his age, he is not prevented from trying anything now.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Positive relationships between staff and young people are a strength; they are both nurturing and responsive. The children respond positively to the staff team and have their favourite staff members, who they will seek out. This has led to significant levels of trust being developed and children and young people making huge strides in their personal development. They are settled and emotionally secure.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Key workers play an important role in gaining children and young people’s views, wishes and opinions, through a variety of communication methods. A vast array of positive opportunities, experiences and independence skills acquired by children and young people are captured on iPads through photographs and short videos and are used to show parents and professionals the outstanding progress being made. This also plays an important role in supporting children and young people with communication difficulties by enhancing speech, confidence and emotional well-being.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The registered manager and her team work collaboratively with all professionals and parents. The standard of support provided to children and young people in meeting their health and educational needs is excellent. An educational professional stated, ‘The home is outstanding: they are supportive of school, they communicate through shared daily recording books and attend monthly meetings to discuss the boys, who both have high needs. The boys turn up ready to learn. The staff will arrive early and do some sensory work with the boys to support their transition into the school.’ This helps them to reach their potential. The children and young people’s health needs are met and changes in medication are meticulously recorded and followed.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children and young people experience fantastic holidays suited to their individual Inspection report children’s home: SC405285 4 needs. They fully participate in a wealth of indoor and outdoor activities. New opportunities and experiences are explored, such as canoeing, zip-wiring, archery, swimming, camping, tennis and board games. One young person wished to go on a walk of 27 miles during his summer holiday in the Northumberland countryside, which, after careful planning and risk assessing, the staff team supported. The young person developed a sense of pride and accomplishment, and photos captured the moment, which will become part of his individual memory book. This was an experience that he can revisit, enhancing his self-esteem and confidence.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Transitions are managed extremely well and preparation and planning beforehand and afterwards reduces the anxiety for children and young people coming into and leaving the home. The families are consulted and plays a crucial part in making it right for their child. A sister of one child was very much involved in ensuring that her brother had his bedroom full of his comforts and items relating to his interests. Planning is an integral part of making sure that transitions, which are very difficult for children and young people who have an autism spectrum disorder, are successful and positive.

p.4

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

Risk management and positive behavioural support plans are excellent. They are well written by experienced practitioners who are knowledgeable and skilled in protecting children and young people who have an autism spectrum disorder. The children and young people become increasingly safe because of dynamic supervision and consistency of care provided by a nurturing and professional staff team.

p.4

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

A social worker said, ‘[Name] has gone from strength to strength. He was previously very challenging with self-harm and aggression and mostly it was unmanageable. I am shocked at how much progress he has made.’

p.4

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

Monitoring of children and young people’s behaviour is high. This leads to precise changes in care planning and strategies to deal with complexities associated with autism spectrum disorders. The level of care demonstrated by staff is creative; for example, a member of staff uses colours in food that are sensory in nature, such as spaghetti and rice. This enables children and young people who are very sensory minded to get their hands in among food and other things, either to play or eat. This helps them to reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions and have fun.

p.4

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

There have been occurrences of low-level physical interventions since the last inspection. These are rare in number, but necessary to avoid any harm to children and young people when they display significant self-injurious behaviour. The staff team is highly skilled and trained in safe care and management of behaviours and the environment. Professional, confident staff maintain a consistency in adhering to children and young people’s individual routines, which reduce stress and anxiety levels. This is a very structured and safe approach that is applied exceptionally by staff.

p.4

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

Recruitment checks are thorough to ensure that suitable staff are employed in the home. Any visitors are vetted and identified. This helps to keep children and young people safe. Inspection report children’s home: SC405285 5

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and her deputy are experienced and qualified in their roles. They are inspirational, confident and ambitious for the children and young people in order to ensure that their potential is maximised. The managers are dedicated, and they display a natural warmth towards the children and young people which positively influences how the staff team interacts with children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A social worker said, ‘Staff are fantastic, especially the registered manager and her deputy. I am always updated and monthly reports are always provided which are up to date.’

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Equality and diversity are apparent throughout all aspects of the care provided for children and young people. The manager and her team have worked tirelessly and collaboratively with families, communities and professionals to meet the cultural needs of children and young people. The manager, supported by a diligent team, has advocated strongly on behalf of and met a young person’s faith and cultural needs, maintaining positive community links for his immediate future and family links with London and, further afield, internationally. This has given the young person a sense of identity and belonging. An independent reviewing officer commented, ‘I cannot fault the care provided. They have tried their very hardest to meet [Name]’s cultural and religious needs. The staff team, registered manager and her deputy have been remarkable.’

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team receives regular supportive supervision and its members are encouraged to explore their interests in training and research. The registered manager and deputy have attended training in ‘Autism neurodiversity’ to enhance their awareness of theoretical approaches to caring for children and young people with an autism spectrum disorder. This leads to a diploma and staff have been enrolled. This is intended to support staff development in understanding the disorder and enhance young people’s outcomes.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and her deputy have thorough monitoring processes in place. They report monthly to their trustees on the progress that children and young people are making and any developments that are ongoing in the home. The latest creative project that was ongoing at time of inspection is a wonderfully designed sensory garden for the children and young people intended to support their emotional stability as well as provide a safe and stimulating environment where they can play, spend time individually or with peers or staff.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection. Inspection report children’s home: SC405285 6

p.5

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 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.

p.6

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: SC405285 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: North East Autism Society

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Michael Dack, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC405285 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8