Children's Home run by Newcastle City Council in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033642 1 SC033642

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Newcastle City 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. The home offers care and accommodation for up to two children or young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered in 2008 and is suitably qualified for the role.

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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those we inspect and regulate. During the visit, the inspector took into consideration the measures taken to manage risks of COVID-19 in the home, in particular the impact that this has on staffing arrangements and young people’s access to their usual activities in the community.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was completed in response to an increase in safeguarding notifications to Ofsted. This inspection was carried out both on- and off-site.

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This monitoring visit

There has been a significant rise in the number of incidents of children going missing from the home. Sometimes they are missing for prolonged periods of time, including overnight. Staff correctly follow protocols, which include looking for the children and involving other agencies. However, the actions of staff do not reduce the frequency of incidents, which means that children continue to be at risk.

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This monitoring visit

Care planning is not meeting children’s needs. The manager does not challenge the placing authority effectively when their response is inadequate. This means some children do not know the plans for their future and wait far too long for a permanent home. This impacts on children’s well-being and progress. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033642 2 Staff use incentives to encourage positive behaviour. Children work with staff to agree targets and make suggestions for incentives, such as going on shopping trips or exploring a city. COVID-19 restrictions have impacted on the types of activities that are available, which means children have fewer outdoor activities to enjoy.

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This monitoring visit

Children have positive relationships with staff. Children feel confident to talk to staff about sensitive issues. Staff provide children with guidance and advice, seeking the input of specialist services when children need additional help. Staff support children to attend appointments and give encouragement when children need it. When asked what it is like living in the home, one child said, ‘I love it; the staff support me.’

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff have completed a variety of training to increase their knowledge of child exploitation and understanding of equality and diversity. This has helped to raise staff awareness so that they can support a broader range of children’s needs.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is supported by deputy managers who work together to provide strong management oversight in the home. Staff receive regular supervision, which helps them reflect on their practice and issues in the home. They are improving the quality of care they provide to children, and they work with other providers to share good- practice examples.

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This monitoring visit

The home is clean and well maintained. However, it is a large building and has a number of rooms that are not being used. This means that the environment is not homely for children.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/10/2019 Full Good 04/09/2018 Full Good 02/08/2017 Full Good 01/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033642 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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff— seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans; if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (a)(c)) 13 January 2021

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that arrangements are in place to— manage and review the placement of each child in the home; that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if— the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child’s needs; the child is, or has been, persistently absent from the home without permission. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(2)(b)(ii)(e)(i)(ii)) 13 January 2021

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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: SC033642 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Newcastle City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland NE1 8QH

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Inspector

Catherine Heron, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033642 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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