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

Inspection report children’s home: SC446957 1 SC446957 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-operated home provides care and accommodation for up to four children and/or young people who have learning disabilities. The home specialises in looking after children and young people who have autism spectrum disorders. The manager has been registered since 2012.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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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.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 27 November 2018

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC446957 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/11/2018 Full Outstanding 20/09/2017 Full Outstanding 28/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 13/12/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC446957 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children and young people receive exceptional care that consistently meets their complex individual needs. The staff and management strive to create a well-structured and supportive environment in which they are highly attentive to the individual, often complex, needs of children and young people. Children and young people make outstanding progress from their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children and young people develop excellent relationships with staff. The staffing levels are high to support safe care. Placement plans include essential information and guidance that are supported by research. This assists the home in meeting the complex needs of the children and young people placed. This means that children and young people experience a high level of care that enables them to flourish.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff build and maintain excellent relationships with education providers. Staff and teachers work effectively together, sharing behaviour and care strategies to support continuity. This promotes children and young people’s well-being and ability to learn new skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children and young people’s health needs are comprehensively met. This is supported well through excellent communication between professionals and parents. This has been sustained since the last inspection and is a strength of the staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children and young people are encouraged to participate in learning new skills to improve their independence. These are mostly linked to their personal care, which helps children and young people to improve their self-esteem, well-being and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff and managers work positively and sensitively with children and young people’s families. Family-time arrangements are well supported, and families often visit the home to share positive time with their children. They are warmly welcomed into the home. This provides a positive family experience for all, with the child at the centre.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Professionals from other agencies spoke very highly of their relationships with the manager and staff. They were overwhelming in their praise of the progress made by the children and young people.

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

Risk assessment and risk management plans are of the highest standard. Staff recognise and understand the complexities of behaviours that are known. Behaviour support plans are thorough, and identify known triggers and supportive strategies to enable children and young people to be kept safe and to minimise potential harm.

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

Children and young people do not go missing from the home. The high staffing levels Inspection report children’s home: SC446957 4 ensure effective supervision that proactively maintains the safety of children and young people. The manager and her staff team respond positively to safeguarding incidents and use these opportunities to learn and improve practice. They are transparent in their approach and adhere to safeguarding procedures.

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

Incidents that are of concern are reported immediately to relevant professionals. Recording is meticulously detailed. An independent reviewing officer stated, ‘They provide outstanding reports for [Name’s], reviews. They are the best I have ever seen.’

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

Recruitment procedures are thorough and safe. The home has effective links with local authorities, designated officers and safeguarding agencies. This was demonstrated during the inspection, with staff following protocols to ensure that all relevant parties were informed of a child receiving an accidental scratch while being supported with their personal care. This practice helps to protect children and young people from potential harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is inspirational and highly knowledgeable about the children and young people. She is assisted by an able deputy who shares her dedication and commitment to providing the highest levels of care and protection for the children and young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The management team provides staff with regular, effective supervision. Monthly meetings take place, during which the management team comprehensively uses the time to discuss practice, generate new ideas and consider training opportunities. New staff have arrived throughout the year, including two new team members who were commencing their posts during this inspection. It is notable that the standard of care has remained high and changes have not had a negative effect on the children and young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The morale of the team and the dedication shown by all staff replicate the commitment shown by the leadership and management of the home. This is supported by the provider through the promotion of positive outcomes for children and young people in its care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager reports monthly to the trustees and senior management. The standard of monitoring and detail in these reports is highly professional. The reports not only plot the progress of the children and young people, but also ensure that the highest standard of practice is maintained. The maintenance of the home at the time of the inspection was good. However, the manager has put in requests for improvements to enhance the overall appearance and living environment for the children and young people. Inspection report children’s home: SC446957 5

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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 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: SC446957 6

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

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Inspector

Michael Dack: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC446957 7 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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