Children's Home run by Talbot House Children’s Charity Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC432843 1 SC432843

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Talbot House School, Newcastle upon Tyne

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a charitable organisation and is registered for the care and accommodation of up to seven children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The manager was registered in November 2018 and is appropriately qualified.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to monitor the compliance notice around Regulation 13 that was issued following the previous inspection. It was also carried out in order to monitor compliance with three requirements made at the previous inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Since the previous inspection, the provider has employed a suitable manager and she was registered in November 2018. She has taken charge of making the improvements required and has been effective and efficient.

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This monitoring visit

She has appointed a deputy manager. This was the person who was acting deputy manager and who has now completed their mandatory qualification. The registered manager has appointed one of the acting seniors to a permanent senior position. She has attempted to fill the remaining two vacant senior posts, but was unable to appoint after recent interviews.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has given all her senior and acting senior staff additional training around leading shifts, safeguarding and safe care practices. She has also offered individual formal supervision to all of these staff, on top of the extra training.

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This monitoring visit

These developments are sufficient to meet the compliance notice.

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This monitoring visit

The requirement to have all staff qualified within the regulatory timescale has been Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC432843 2 met. The requirement to use CCTV appropriately has been met in that it has not been used since the previous inspection.

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This monitoring visit

However there are still two vacant senior posts that are currently filled by unqualified staff acting up. This requires further attention and a requirement has been made to address this.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has also reviewed and overhauled many of the policies and procedures, and many of the recording systems as well as the recruitment systems and documentation. This is positive. She has increased the amount of staff training and supervision, and has generally brought a more positive and professional feel to the staff team.

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This monitoring visit

The judgement was not changed as the registered manager and the staff now have to consolidate and sustain the achievements and developments made.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/08/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 01/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 27/06/2017 Full Good 07/12/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC432843 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

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13(2)(d)) In particular, to ensure that the home has suitable qualified senior staff in place. 31/03/2019

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC432843 4

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Inspector

Colin Imrie, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC432843 5 to 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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