Children's Home run by ROC Family Support Limited in Durham

Information about this children’s home

This is a private home registered to provide care and accommodation for two children or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager is suitably qualified and was registered when the home opened in March 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 COVID-19 (coronavirus), 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:  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: 2571902 2

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The care of children

Young people receive support to develop positive relationships with the staff. The manager and staff are sensitive and caring towards the young people. Staff notice changes in young people’s behaviour and mood, and offer support. This encourages the young people to seek the care and help of their carers. Young people learn that they can depend upon their staff to respond to, and meet, their needs.

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The care of children

Young people are encouraged to take part in activities. The manager thinks ahead and plans a range of activities in line with local COVID-19 restrictions.

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The care of children

Relationships between staff and other agencies are positive. When the manager and staff are worried about a young person, they share information and escalate concerns where appropriate to the social worker and regulator. This helps coordinate support and services to meet young people’s needs. A teacher, community police officer and an independent reviewing officer gave positive feedback, saying that the manager and staff ‘do their best’ to make a difference to young people.

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The care of children

COVID-19 has disrupted young people’s education and affected their motivation and interest to learn. Staff offer alternative education in the home, but this is not effective. When young people do not want to attend school, staff give them encouragement and liaise with teachers. This helps young people to start accessing education and learning again.

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The care of children

Young people’s views are not consistently obtained and recorded. At times, key- worker sessions do not take place, and staff do not find other ways to obtain and record young people’s views. This impacts on young people being able to express their opinions about the care in the home and influence change.

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The safety of children

The manager and staff have good insight into the impact that previous life experiences have upon young people’s behaviour. Staff understand young people’s individual risks and ensure that, when risks change, plans are reviewed and updated. Staff follow plans and consult relevant family or professionals when this is required.

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The safety of children

Staff take effective action when young people go missing from the home by actively searching the surrounding and known areas. Staff develop positive relationships with the young person’s family and friends, so they can share information to ensure young people return to the home as quickly and safely as possible. After episodes of going missing from the home, staff take time to understand the reasons why young people go missing from home and use this information to reduce such episodes in the future.

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The safety of children

The manager and staff recognise the need for young people to access specialist services. For example, when young people misuse substances, the manager and Assurance visit report: 2571902 3 staff encourage the young person to access help and reduce use. If help is refused, the manager and staff are persistent and continue to highlight the benefits of specialist support.

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The safety of children

The home is well maintained. It is organised, bright and modern with a homely atmosphere. The manager and staff help young people to feel at home and encourage them to personalise their bedrooms. Photographs of young people are on display, reminding them of positive activities.

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The safety of children

Young people cannot access all the fire exits. This means that young people and staff could not quickly escape if there was a fire. This is a risk for staff and young people.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has high aspirations for young people. She is committed to providing good-quality care and understands the difference this makes to young people’s lives. She is focused and, when faced with behaviour which is difficult to manage, she does not give up. This shows the young people that they are important, helping to increase their sense of self-worth.

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Leaders and managers

Opening a new home during a pandemic has been a challenge for the manager. She has motivated staff and inspired a positive team culture. She has a vision for ways to improve the care in the home and to develop individual staff. The manager is gaining confidence in her leadership style and is supported by her manager and peers in the organisation.

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Leaders and managers

Records of staff training are not clear or up to date. Multiple records make it difficult to determine gaps in knowledge and skills. This means that the manager is not able to effectively track staff training and provide new training when needed.

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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

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must — provide adequate means of escape from the home in the event of fire. (Regulation 25(1)(b)) 07/10/2020

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Recommendations

Assurance visit report: 2571902 4  Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Due consideration should be given to the child’s cognitive ability in the development and implementation of any consultation processes. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Roc Family Support Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hope House, Burnhope, Newton Aycliffe, Durham DL5 7ER

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Inspector

Catherine Heron, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2571902 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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