Children's home run by Durham County Council in County Durham

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC034741 1 SC034741

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Durham County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated and managed by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and/or young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At an assurance visit on 22 and 23 September 2020, Ofsted issued an emergency variation. This restricted the number of children accommodated in the home to one child or young person.

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This monitoring visit

At an assurance visit on 22 and 23 September 2020 serious and widespread concerns were identified. Three compliance notices under regulation 6, 12 and 13 and six requirements were issued.

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This monitoring visit

At this monitoring visit, undertaken on 5 November 2020, the three compliance notices are assessed as met. The provider has taken sufficient steps to address shortfalls to improve the standards of practice in the home. Ofsted will continue to monitor the emergency variation.

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This monitoring visit

The registered provider has reviewed children’s risk assessments to ensure that they are relevant and individual to each child. They contain information and guidance for staff to follow. Targeted key-working sessions have provided opportunities for children to discuss their concerns, worries and risk-taking behaviours with key workers. This helps children to develop ways of reducing their risk-taking behaviours, as well as reducing any anxieties that they may have. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC034741 2 Children are better consulted in relation to their care plans. Staff consider and act on the views, wishes and feelings of children where it is appropriate and safe to do so. This means that children feel valued because their views are taken seriously.

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This monitoring visit

The registered provider has improved the living conditions in the home. For example, children are supported to decorate and personalise their bedrooms. Rooms are suitably furnished and free from potential hazards. This provides children with dignity and respect, as well as helping them to value their home.

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This monitoring visit

The registered provider recognises the importance of developing staff practice to improve the outcomes for children. Staff have completed mandatory training as well as informal training in team meetings. Additional support, including mentoring staff in specific areas of practice, has helped develop their skills and knowledge. This supports children in having positive experiences as their needs are better understood and responded to in a consistent way.

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This monitoring visit

The registered provider has reviewed monitoring systems in the home. Where shortfalls have been identified, managers and leaders have taken sufficient action to improve practice. This means children receive better care and protection as a result.

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This monitoring visit

Requirements made at the assurance visit will be monitored at the next inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/07/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/01/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 01/05/2018 Full Good 30/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC034741 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 education standard is that staff— help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (2)(viii)) 05/12/2020

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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— feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (2)(ii)(h)) 05/12/2020

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Requirement Due date

No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child. The following measures may not be used to discipline any child— Imposing a financial penalty, other than a requirement for the payment of a reasonable sum (which may be by instalments) by way of reparation. (Regulation 19 (1)(2)(f)) 05/12/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC034741 4 In particular, that behaviour management is balanced and fair. Sanctions should be restorative in nature, and help children to learn and modify challenging behaviours.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— undertake appropriate continuing professional development; receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)) 05/12/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (‘the missing child policy’) setting out— the steps taken, and to be taken, to prevent children from being absent without permission; and the procedures to be followed, and the roles and responsibilities of persons working at the home, in relation to a child who is, or has been, so absent. Before implementing, or making an amendment which the registered person considers to be substantive to, the missing child policy, the registered person must— have regard to any relevant local authority or police protocols on missing children. (Regulation 34 (4)(5)(b)) In particular, that children have an opportunity to speak with someone independent of the home on their return, following an episode of going missing from home. 05/12/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; a child protection enquiry involving a child is instigated; or 05/12/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC034741 5 concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. A notification made under this regulation— must include details of— the matter; the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the

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Requirement Due date

matter; must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(5))

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Recommendations

 Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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.

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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

Registered provider: Durham County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Durham DH1 5UL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Claire Morris Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC034741 6 Registered manager: Post vacant

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Inspector

Jacqueline Tate, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC034741 7 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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