Children's Home run by Park Blue Homes Limited in Durham

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC453372 1 SC453372 Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those we regulate. During this visit, the inspectors took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the home. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements and the current attendance of the children and young people.

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private provider. The manager who was in post at the last monitoring visit has since left the company. The deputy manager stepped up to act as the home’s manager until a permanent manager could be recruited. The new manager has been in post two weeks at the time of this monitoring visit. He has applied to Ofsted to be registered.

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This monitoring visit

An unannounced monitoring visit was carried out on 1 April 2020 in response to a complaint received about the home. The complaint raised concerns about the safeguarding and protection of children and young people as well as the conduct of staff. The inspector identified several shortfalls in practice that resulted in a compliance notice being issued under regulation 13. The provider was to address matters in the compliance notice no later than 19 June 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This unannounced monitoring visit was to review the compliance notice. The inspectors found that the steps issued in the compliance notice have been met. A review of all risk assessments by the provider and the improved supervision of the children and young people have seen a reduction in missing episodes and inappropriate access to social media. Behaviour management plans now provide staff with clear guidance about how to manage specific, individual behaviours. This Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC453372 2 reduces the risk of harm and means that children and young people receive a consistent level of care.

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This monitoring visit

The management team has taken steps to address the issues relating to the conduct of staff that were having a negative impact on the quality of care that children and young people receive. Policies and procedures have been updated, and the quality of the communication between the staff and the management team has significantly improved. Supervision sessions for staff have also improved in quality. This means that there is better oversight to help monitor the progress of the children and young people.

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This monitoring visit

Improvements have been made in the internal and external monitoring of the home. The manager has completed an in-depth audit of all aspects associated with the running of the home. He has a clear understanding of the home’s strengths as well as areas that require further development. The effectiveness of the action plan he has in place will be considered at the home’s next inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Overall, the home is clean and homely. It is situated in a rural setting with lots of outdoor space. Inspectors noted that an area external to the property, where one young person likes to spend time, is unkept and potentially harmful. The manager has arranged for items to be removed, but in the meantime the children and young people are accessing this part of the grounds. This increases the potential for accidents or injury to occur.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/07/2019 Full Good 24/09/2018 Full Good 19/07/2017 Full Good 11/01/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC453372 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, the 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(d)) 08/07/2020

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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.

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Inspectors

Jacqueline Tate, social care inspector Michael Dack, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC453372 4 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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