Children's home run by North Tyneside Council in North Tyneside

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068243 1 SC068243

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North Tyneside 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 six children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an acting manager in post who is applying for registration.

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This monitoring visit

Due to the restrictions in place relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus), this visit was carried out off site. This visit was to monitor the provider’s compliance with enforcement action. The visit included a review of documents, a virtual tour of the building and discussions with children, staff and relevant professionals.

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This monitoring visit

On the 9 February 2021, inspectors carried out a monitoring visit to investigate potential breaches of regulations, following information shared with Ofsted in notifications that indicated a potential risk of harm to children. Consequently, three compliance notices were issued under regulations 12, 13 and 40 to address serious concerns relating to the protection of children and to widespread failings with the leadership and management of the home. A further three requirements were issued to address other shortfalls.

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This monitoring visit

The manager in post at the time of the previous visit has now moved on. This manager has developed monitoring systems to ensure that children receive care and support, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. These have included a review of the home environment and the complaints procedures. The manager has worked collaboratively with the children’s advocate to ensure that the children have a say in the development of the home and the quality of the care provided to them. This means that children receive better care and protection and live in more homely environment to help them to flourish. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068243 2 The manager has improved her knowledge and that of her staff in understanding regulation 40. This has resulted in improved reporting and reviewing of serious safeguarding incidents, and supports the learning and development of staff. This

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This monitoring visit

means that children receive better quality of care and enables independent oversight from the regulator to increase the safeguarding of children.

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This monitoring visit

At the last visit, an internal door that leads to the kitchen and adjoining lounge was routinely locked. This denied children access to these areas of their home. The manager has ceased this practice. As a result, children are respected and feel more valued.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s risk assessments and care plans are individualised and up to date. However, strategies that are identified and in place are not consistently clear for staff to follow. This potentially leaves children at risk of harm. As a result, a requirement has been made following this visit.

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This monitoring visit

Following the monitoring visit 24 March 2021, Ofsted considers the manager to have met the compliance notices and the requirements that were made.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/05/2019 Full Good 03/07/2018 Full Good 31/01/2018 Full Good 20/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068243 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child:

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to risk assessments that should contain strategies to help staff reduce the risk of harm to children and the manager ensuring staff follow these. 22/04/2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068243 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: North Tyneside Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16 The Silverlink North, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE27 0BY

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Inspectors

Michael Dack, Social Care Inspector Paula Shepherd, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC068243 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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