Children's home run by Right-Trak Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Assurance visit report: SC465475 1 SC465475

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to six children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated and managed by a private company. The manager was registered by Ofsted in May 2019.

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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:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. 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: SC465475 2

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The care of children

Children have strong relationships with staff, especially with their individual key workers. Staff maintain high levels of supervision for children. Staff show commitment to providing a nurturing and supportive environment and engage children in play appropriate to their age. Children are given clear messages about their behaviour and praise is regularly used. This helps children to learn, feel valued and build confidence.

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The care of children

Children spend time with their families, supported by staff. During the COVID-19 pandemic, children have fluctuated between face-to-face and virtual contact through video calls and telephone calls. Where restrictions have lifted, children have been supported to enjoy activities with parents. This is an important time that helps children to explore their feelings and develop their self-esteem in a safe environment.

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The care of children

A social worker commented very positively on the structure and stability that the staff provide. They stated, ‘This is the most stable [Name] has been in his life. They are very good advocates for him; they are very attentive, and he is very happy and settled where he is now.’

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The care of children

All children attend school full time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff provided very structured days based on a ‘normal’ school day. They worked through a timetable that allowed for children to complete purposeful educational worksheets. This was mixed with appropriate breaks to allow for physical activity, often playing games in the garden area. This promoted their education and their physical well- being.

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The safety of children

Children’s risk assessments are well written and clearly identify individual strategies to support safe care. The staff review and update these with any changes of information or incidents of concern. This helps staff to ensure that they keep children increasingly protected.

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The safety of children

Children are given clear and consistent boundaries and are supported to explore their feelings in one-to-one discussions with their key workers. This trusting relationship enables children to express themselves safely, supporting their emotional well-being.

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The safety of children

Children in the home often display behaviours linked to trauma and anxiety. The staff attend twice-weekly consultations with a psychologist to help and support their understanding of children’s behaviour. This enables staff to reflect on practice and review strategies and approaches to behavioural issues. Staff are able to share thoughts and feelings that help to inform risk and behaviour management. As a result, children’s emotional and physical well-being is supported. Assurance visit report: SC465475 3 Allegations against staff are dealt with quickly and reported to the appropriate agencies. Investigations are thorough and safeguarding procedures are followed to ensure that children are kept increasingly safe from harm.

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Leaders and managers

The manager spends time getting to know the children and is highly supportive of her team. During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have occasionally struggled with the constraints of the restrictions, but achieving positive outcomes for children has been at the centre of their decision-making.

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Leaders and managers

Plans for children are reviewed and updated regularly. Recording by staff is generally clear and well written. However, the inspector found isolated examples of stigmatising language to describe incidents. Children could misinterpret information written about them now or in the future.

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Leaders and managers

Staff receive monthly supervision and appraisals once per year. There is a strong emphasis on training, which has continued during COVID-19 restrictions. The in- house clinical psychologist has continued to facilitate training and consultations with the staff using video conferencing calls. This ensures that children’s emotional and physical needs are met by well-trained staff.

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Leaders and managers

Managers and leaders ensure that the care provided to children is reviewed monthly by an independent visitor. This supports their understanding of the strengths and developmental needs of the service they provide. However, the quality of care review completed by the manager does not have an action plan for the next six months. This may limit the development of the home and outcomes for children.

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Leaders and managers

The quality of the decoration in the home is poor. Additionally, internal and external areas are not free from hazards. The manager has requested repairs but these are not always completed in a prompt manner.

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Leaders and managers

Transition arrangements for children moving in and out of the home are supported by the manager and her staff. However, they do not always happen as set out in agreed plans. This affects children’s ability to have a clear sense of what is happening during such transitions, which could increase their anxiety.

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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

Assurance visit report: SC465475 4 The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who- understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; use this understanding to deliver care that meets, children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. 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 and furnished so as to- meet the needs of each child; and enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i)(ii)) In particular, attention is required to the maintenance of the home’s décor and repairs. 10/12/2020

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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 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)) In particular, work to remove old fittings and general hazards throughout external play areas. 10/12/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children at least once every six months; and after completing a quality care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report"). (Regulation 45 (1)(3)) 03/12/2020

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Recommendations

 As well as longer-term support for children to move on from the home effectively (regulation 6 (2)(b)(vi)), the home has an important role in supporting each child Assurance visit report: SC465475 5 leaving the home in the period immediately before their departure. The registered person should work with the placing authority to ensure that each child’s transition is planned and help each child to prepare for both leaving practically and emotionally. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 57, paragraph 11.9)  Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, and opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child.

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Recommendations

(‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Winovation, Houghtons Yard, Shields Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE6 2YP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Melanie Spriddell

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Inspector

Michael Dack, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC465475 6 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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