Children's Home run by Durham County Council in Durham

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035181 1 SC035181

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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

A local authority operates and manages this home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and/or young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2019.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted received an anonymous complaint that highlighted potential poor practice in relation to the care and protection of children and young people. This visit was carried out in response to those concerns. Following this visit, no serious or widespread concerns were found.

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This monitoring visit

Children and young people benefit from building positive relationships with staff. Planned activities provide opportunities for children and young people to spend time together with staff. A young person commented, ‘I love it here. This is my family. Staff have helped me through some very difficult times. I feel like staff are always there for you. I feel very safe living here.’

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This monitoring visit

Children and young people receive bespoke care in line with their risk assessments and care plans. Targeted key-work sessions provide opportunities for children and young people to discuss their risk-taking behaviours with their key workers. This helps children and young people to develop ways of reducing such behaviours, as well as celebrate their progress and achievements. As a result, children and young people are making progress in line with their set targets.

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This monitoring visit

When children and young people complain or make allegations against staff, the manager follows the relevant protocols. The manager considers children’s and young people’s views as part of any complaint or investigation. Records of complaints do not reflect how children and young people are told about the outcome of the Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035181 2 complaint. This means that children and young people are not provided with assurance that sufficient action is being taken to address their concerns.

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This monitoring visit

The provider did not notify Ofsted of several incidents considered serious under regulation 40. This means that as a regulator, Ofsted has not had an opportunity to review the actions taken by the provider to protect children and young people from harm.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has good monitoring systems in place. He regularly reviews records and documents to ensure that there is sufficient scrutiny of practice. This also includes reviewing risk assessments around COVID-19 (coronavirus) to ensure that everyone in the home follows government guidance. This means that when shortfalls are found, he can act to make improvements.

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This monitoring visit

At the last inspection, three requirements were issued. Two have been met and regulation 39 is not met and has been reissued.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/05/2019 Full Good 09/05/2018 Full Good 20/02/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 03/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035181 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

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the procedure must provide that no person who is the subject of a complaint takes any part in its consideration or investigation, except at the informal resolution stage if the registered person considers it appropriate.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that no child is subject to any reprisal for making a complaint or representation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI, at HMCI's request, a statement containing a summary of any complaints made during the preceding twelve months and the action that was taken in response to each complaint. (Regulation 39 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the provider should develop a system that informs children and young people of any actions or outcomes in relation to their complaints. 19 December 2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; 19 December 2020 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035181 4 there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter; must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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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 and was evaluated on both on- site and off-site activities.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035181 5

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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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Inspector

Jacqueline Tate, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC035181 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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