Children's home run by One Step Care Limited Assurance visit report: 2552036 4

Information about this children’s home

A private company owns and manages the home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and/or young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: Not previously inspected

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not previously inspected

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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: 2552036 2

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The care of children

Children and young people receive bespoke care from a dedicated staff team. Staff work closely with a wide range of professionals to support children and young people in all aspects of their lives. This supports children and young people’s progress, helping them to flourish.

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The care of children

The manager completes impact risk assessments ahead of any new admissions. She considers the mix of each child and young person with the current group of children to ensure any admission is appropriate. A professional commented, ‘There is a good mix of young people. It is clever how they have managed to achieve this. They are not about filling beds, but the manager understands the need to get the mix right.’

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The care of children

Children and young people enjoy accessing a wide range of activities and joining in with charitable events. Key workers add these experiences and other memorable events to memory books. The memory books capture significant and special memories that children and young people can cherish and remember as they grow and become adults.

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The care of children

The manager and her staff team recognise the importance of consulting with children and young people. This helps children and young people to feel valued. A young person commented, ‘This is the best place I have ever lived. I love the staff, food, you name it, I love it. This is my family.’

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The care of children

Staff support children and young people to see friends and family where it is safe to do so. They have been creative during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that children and young people continue to stay in contact with people who are important to them. This has created a sense of normality for children and young people and supports their identity needs.

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The care of children

Staff support the children and young people to take up education, training and employment opportunities. This supports children and young people’s learning and development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have advocated for young people who are in employment to ensure that they are in receipt of any furlough pay entitlement. This helps them to achieve financial stability, as well as promoting their emotional well-being.

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The safety of children

Staff follow each child’s and young person’s risk assessment, which they regularly review and update. Risk assessments inform key-work sessions that 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. This has been effective at reducing children and young people’s risks, particularly in relation to missing episodes, substance misuse and other risk-taking behaviours. Assurance visit report: 2552036 3 The manager and staff have supported children and young people to stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff help children and young people to understand the risks associated with the virus and have helped them to develop strategies that follow government guidance. This has been effective as staff, children and young people have managed to maintain good health.

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The safety of children

Missing-from-home incidents have significantly decreased. Staff can identify the link between missing-from-home incidents and children and young people being at increased risk of exploitation and harm. An independent person completes return- home interviews with children and young people. This provides children and young people with opportunities to speak to an independent adult and share any worries or concerns with them.

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The safety of children

Positive rewards are a preferred way to manage children and young people’s behaviour. Staff use restorative measures to address children and young people’s behaviour, which helps them to reflect and learn to develop positive behaviours. This has been effective at reducing critical incidents for children and young people.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is suitably qualified and she registered at the same time as the home opened. She has developed effective monitoring systems to review all areas of practice, including the day-to-day running of the home. Additionally, the manager responds effectively to feedback from her independent visitor. Where shortfalls are identified, she takes swift action to drive improvements forward. This helps to improve children and young people’s overall experiences and supports their progress and development.

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Leaders and managers

Staff undertake training opportunities and regular supervision. This helps them to reflect on their practice and develop the knowledge and skills that they need to meet the individual needs of children and young people. Children and young people receive better care and protection as a result.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has developed good working relationships with a range of professionals. Where there are shortfalls in support services and care planning for children and young people, the manager advocates on their behalf. This means that children and young people receive the support that they need, which prevents any delays in progressing their plans.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: One Step Care Limited Assurance visit report: 2552036 4 Registered provider address: 43 Bewicke View, Birtley, Chester Le Street, Durham DH3 1RU

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Inspector

Jacqueline Tate, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2552036 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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