Children's Home run by Darlington Borough Council in Darlington

Inspection report for children’s home: SC068000 1 SC068000 Registered provider: Darlington Borough Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2021.

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Inspection date: 24 November 2021

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 24 November 2021

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC068000 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has declined effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have failed to address shortfalls in the safe recruitment of staff. New starters working in the home have not had some references verified. Furthermore, the registered manager has not ensured that all of the required employment checks for new staff are complete. Management oversight of staff recruitment was a concern at the last full inspection and remains a concern. This continued failure means that children are potentially at risk of harm from the staff working with them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has implemented an impact risk assessment to consider the suitability of placing new children in the home. All known risks to children’s safety are assessed, and control measures and strategies to manage and reduce these risks are identified. This helps staff to better understand specific risks to children’s safety before they move in and this increases the likely success of the placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and wider local authority are working together with regard to placements in to the home. The registered manager now has autonomy over admissions, and has said that there is no pressure from the local authority when she says no to an admission. As a result, the registered manager is now confident that the service is able to meet the individual needs of the children admitted to the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children moving into the home now have detailed transition plans. These include arrangements to meet staff, meet other children and have overnight stays in the home before moving in permanently. This helps to ease any anxieties and apprehension that children may have and helps them to build positive relationships with staff and other children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive training on specific topics relating to risks to children’s safety. This helps them to identify early indicators that children are unsafe or at risk of harm, and quickly take appropriate action. Training and safeguarding issues are a stand- alone topic of discussion at team meetings. This reinforces the importance of safeguarding matters to all staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s independence skills are improving. Children are able to use public transport and get themselves to family visits and to see friends. Children are capable of making snacks, and do not need prompts to maintain their personal hygiene. These skills are important for children and increase their independence skills as they progress towards adulthood. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068000 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/12/2019 Full Good 04/09/2018 Full Good 14/11/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC068000 4

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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

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. (Regulation 32 (1)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the registered manager has oversight of all employment checks for all appointed staff. 30 December

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068000 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Darlington Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Town Hall, Feethams, Darlington, County Durham DL1 5QT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Bell

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Inspector

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC068000 6 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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