Children's home run by Duty of Care Limited in County Durham

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC476602 1 SC476602

p.1

Duty of Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated and managed by a private provider. It provides care and accommodation for three children and/or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager is suitably qualified and registered in September 2019.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At an inspection on 13 October 2020, the inspector found serious concerns in relation to the care or protection of children. In particular:

p.1

Information about this children’s home

 Incidents of restraint were high  Living conditions in a child’s bedroom were of a poor standard  Staff training was not up to date  The manager failed to ensure effective monitoring of the home conditions.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

In response, Ofsted issued compliance notices to the provider. The compliance notices required the provider to address the issues identified by no later than 30 November 2020.

p.1

This monitoring visit

During a monitoring visit on 1 December 2020, the inspector found that the manager has taken effective action to address all of the serious concerns identified.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The number of restraints has reduced. Behaviour support plans have been reviewed to show how children’s individual needs should be met. Children spend time talking to their key workers about behaviour and what they think staff could do to help. This means that children can rely on staff to give them the support to manage their behaviour. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC476602 2 The home conditions have improved. Every child has a bright and personalised bedroom with toys and space to keep their personal possessions. New furnishings and painted rooms make the home bright and modern. The manager has implemented a housekeeping routine to ensure that the home is cleaned regularly. The manager monitors how effective this is and takes action when required. The home is cosy and homely for children. A child said, ‘Now the home looks really, really pretty.’

p.1

This monitoring visit

The provider has invested in more training for staff to ensure that they are suitably trained, for example in understanding child exploitation and the home’s model of practice. Staff have increased their knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the children living in the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager has improved the systems used to monitor the quality of care that children receive. For example, when an incident takes place, the manager scrutinises the written records and holds a debrief meeting with staff. This enables the manager to ensure that staff follow procedures and that children are safeguarded.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Children’s meetings take place every month. Children make decisions together about activities and plan forthcoming events, for example what they would like for Christmas lunch. The manager takes time to meet with the children and listen to their views about living in the home. The manager uses this information to make necessary changes and improvements.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The staff are committed to caring for the children and have worked more hours, when needed. They have continued to support children through the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. For example, they created activities and provided emotional support when children were self-isolating. This has provided children with consistency of care.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Children have a life-story box which they use to keep special items, such as souvenirs and mementoes. Staff take time to collect photographs from children’s important events, like school graduation. This helps children to remember positive times in their lives and recognise how much they have grown. The manager has created plans to help children understand why they live in the home. This helps children to come to terms with what has happened in their past and helps to develop their sense of identity.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/10/2019 Full Good 11/07/2019 Full Inadequate 12/02/2019 Full Outstanding 13/03/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC476602 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Duty of Care Limited

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 13 Front Street, Staindrop, Darlington, County Durham DL2 3LZ

p.3

Inspector

Catherine Heron, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC476602 4 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.

p.3

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.4

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.4