Children's Home run by Gateshead Council in Gateshead

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036773 1 SC036773 Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for five young people who are aged between 12 and 17 at the time of their admission. The manager has been registered since April 2020 and is suitably qualified for the role.

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This monitoring visit

The visit was to assess whether any breaches of regulation had occurred following concerns raised by a safeguarding notification. The notification highlighted damage to the home and that the police were being called to manage young people’s behaviour.

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This monitoring visit

The home was comfortable, and the repairs had been carried out immediately after the damage. Rooms were being decorated throughout the visit.

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This monitoring visit

During the visit, the young people said to the inspector that they are happy to be living at the home. They could identify members of staff they could speak to should they need help. The young people’s records show several areas of progress for each of them. This demonstrates that the young people have effective relationships with the staff.

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments show areas of risk but do not include clear instructions and strategies for staff to follow to help minimise the risk of harm to young people.

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This monitoring visit

Care plans do not reflect all known risks to young people. This means that staff do not always work with young people in a targeted way to address behaviour. This leaves young people at potential risk of harm. The use of police to manage behaviour was detailed in the care plans as a strategy, and this needs to be reviewed. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036773 2 The young people continue to go missing from the home, but this behaviour has reduced for all young people since their admission to the home. However, staffing levels in the home do not enable staff to go looking for young people or to pick them up before reporting them missing to the police. This means that young people are not known to them, and potentially this increases the young people’s risk of criminalisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/05/2019 Full Good 04/09/2018 Full Good 09/01/2018 Full Good 11/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036773 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 staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(vi)(b)) In particular, ensure that all risk assessments and care plans are reviewed and include strategies to minimise risks to young people. 23/10/2020

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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 the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(2)(d)) 23/10/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036773 4

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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 following concerns raised in a safeguarding notification.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Caroline O’Neill

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Inspector

Susan Atkinson-Millmoor, regulatory inspection manager Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC036773 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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