Children's Home run by Interactive Development Residential Limited in Durham

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by an independent provider. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children or young people aged between 10 and 17 years on admission who have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2017.

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Information about this children’s home

Visit dates: 30 September to 1 October 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: Not previously inspected

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not previously inspected

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Information about this visit

Due to coronavirus COVID-19, Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit . Assurance visit report: 2534102 2

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The care of children

Young people build trusting and supportive relationships with staff, especially their key workers. Staff maintain a safe and homely environment that provides young people with space to grow and develop. The high-quality interior and exterior of the home is designed with young people in mind. There are ample spaces to play and to learn. As a result, young people settle and make progress.

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The care of children

Young people are encouraged and supported to spend time with their families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, young people have been assisted to attend personal family gatherings. Staff provide emotional and physical support to enable young people to understand and take part in their cultural beliefs. This enables young people to develop a sense of identity.

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The care of children

Young people are able to express themselves in a nurturing and calm environment. They spend quality time, often on a one-to-one basis, with staff discussing daily events and aspects of behaviour. Staff teach young people about expectations and boundaries through supportive conversations.

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The care of children

Young people are attending education and/or vocational training. Staff and educational professionals work proactively to address absences or disruptions when they occur. This ensures that young people continue to make progress from their starting points.

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The care of children

Staff support young people to attend medical appointments and understand the current COVID-19 restrictions. However, staff do not fully understand and implement clear messages on smoking. The no-smoking policy relates to the inside of the home and not to two designated smoking areas in the grounds. This mixed message does not promote young people’s physical health or a healthy lifestyle.

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The safety of children

Staff understand young people’s risks. They use this knowledge to review risk assessments and implement well-written risk management plans. This ensures that strategies to support and manage young people’s identified risks are regularly evaluated and amended when required.

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The safety of children

Staff work consistently with young people to develop an understanding of local and national lockdown restrictions. Young people have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, consistent support and safe care messages from the staff mean young people rarely go missing from the home; any late returns are negotiated, and any associated risk is well managed. This enables young people to develop confidence and trust in their carers.

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The safety of children

Staff talk to young people to address and manage known risk-taking behaviours, including drug misuse, inappropriate relationships and social distancing. Staff work together with young people’s families and professionals to reduce risk. Assurance visit report: 2534102 3

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager is supported by an experienced deputy and a stable staff team. Strong and consistent leadership ensures the well-being of young people is at the centre of their practice.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have successfully ensured young people’s essential care team meetings have taken place throughout lockdown. These have been held using multi- media equipment. Additionally, independent monitoring of the home and staff practice has been facilitated by management. The views and opinions of young people, their families and professionals help to support continuous improvements in the care provided.

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Leaders and managers

Managers and staff receive regular supervision and training. The opportunities for learning are plentiful, with staff and managers undertaking higher education courses and diplomas. This enables young people to be cared for by a skilled staff team.

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Leaders and managers

Professionals spoken to during the visit said, ‘Communication from the home is thorough and purposeful’, another said, ‘Staff provide really good support and communication, and accommodation is brilliant.’

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Leaders and managers

Transitions to and from the home took place at the beginning of lockdown. They were planned and supported by staff and management. The management supported a young person to return to the home. This was to surprise a peer on their birthday and to provide a gift to the staff and management from their family.

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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 health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met; children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff help each child to— 06/11/2020 Assurance visit report: 2534102 4 achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)) In particular, the registered provider should promote a no- smoking environment in and around the premises.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Interactive Development Residential Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3-5 Brenkley Way, Blezard Business Park, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne And Wear NE13 6DS

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Inspector

Michael Dack, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2534102 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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