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

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2530086 1

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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. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children with emotional and/or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

A monitoring visit was carried out on 16 June 2021, which identified failings in respect to the protection of children and the quality of leadership and management. In response, Ofsted issued the provider with two compliance notices under regulations 12 and 13.

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Information about this children’s home

The compliance notices required the provider to address the failures identified, with a focus on safeguarding children, staff supervision and training, and the quality of management oversight in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last visit, the registered manager resigned from the post. On 24 June 2021, a new manager started working in the home. She has applied to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to monitor the action taken by the provider in response to the compliance notices. The visit included a review of documents, a tour of the home and discussions with children, staff and professionals.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector found that the provider has taken effective action and has completed all the steps in the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

A new manager has been appointed. She is suitably qualified and familiar with the home, due to previously working in the organisation. The manager has spent time getting to know the children, quickly understanding their needs and listening to their views. One child said, ‘She is a really good manager. She gets things done and is Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2530086 2 proactive.’ The manager’s approach has helped the children to form trusting relationships with her.

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This monitoring visit

The quality of management oversight in the home has improved. The manager regularly communicates with the staff. She reviews their work and takes effective action if shortfalls are identified. Staff supervision is up to date and a formal record of the session is completed. The staff say that they feel supported to carry out their role and are confident in their new leader.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has a good understanding of safeguarding children. As a result, she has provided staff with clear guidance to help them to reduce risks to the children. Staff know what is expected of them and feel more confident in their role. The manager has reviewed key documents, such as children’s risk assessments and plans. This has ensured that they are up to date and easy for staff to follow.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff have taken effective action in response to children who misuse drugs. Expert agencies are involved to provide children with specialist support. In addition, staff carefully monitor children’s behaviour and, where necessary, provide them with additional supervision, carry out room searches and provide children with one-to-one sessions. This helps to reduce children’s misuse of drugs.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff have completed training to help them to identify and respond to child exploitation. Staff say that the training has helped them to recognise the signs that children may be exploited. This has improved staff’s knowledge of exploitation and has helped them to take effective action to reduce risks to the children.

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This monitoring visit

When children are at risk of exploitation, staff use strategies to intervene and protect the child. By working together as a team, the staff provide the child with a consistent approach.

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This monitoring visit

Home conditions have improved. Staff regularly check children’s bedrooms to ensure that conditions are hygienic and safe for children. Other rooms have been decorated and pictures are displayed on the walls. The garden is well presented and is a welcoming feature at the home’s entrance.

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This monitoring visit

The three requirements that were raised under regulations 5, 36 and 40 at the last monitoring visit were not considered as part of this visit. These have been reissued.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/04/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/02/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2530086 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, 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—

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Requirement Due date

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 (c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to keeping accurate and up-to-date records of challenge to the placing authority. 22 October 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

and are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)) 22 October 2021

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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

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 22 October 2021

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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. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2530086 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: Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 8QH

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Inspector

Catherine Heron, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2530086 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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