Children's Home run by South Tyneside Council in South Tyneside

Inspection report for children’s home: SC032701 1 SC032701 Registered provider: South Tyneside Council Interim inspection 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. The home is registered to care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living in the home at the time of the inspection. One child was consulted and observed by the inspector.

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Inspection date: 17 February 2022

Date of last inspection: 9 November 2021

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Inspection date: 17 February 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 17 February 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC032701 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. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider has responded well to address the shortfalls identified from the last inspection. During the short period of time since the last inspection, the manager has methodically addressed each requirement which the children now benefit from.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children say that they feel safe in the home. One child described recent weeks as ‘busier’ with more activities and increased time with the staff. The child was proud of their recent achievements, which included learning to drive and gaining their driving licence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff’s approach to safeguarding children has improved. The manager has consulted with the staff and reminded them of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities so that the children are better protected. This has resulted in the staff being more proactive. They now respond to any concerns that emerge about children’s safety quickly. In addition, the quality of the children’s written records have improved and they now show the actions that the staff have taken.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When there are concerns about a child’s progress or the staff’s ability to meet the child’s needs, the manager alerts the child’s local authority and shares relevant information. When necessary, the manager escalates concerns to senior leaders in the organisation and advocates for the child’s care to be reviewed. To support this practice, the provider has introduced an escalation policy for the manager and staff to follow. This is to help reduce delay for the children and to ensure that each child receives the services that they need quickly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When children move out of the home, the staff manage the situation with compassion and sensitivity. They think about the child’s feelings, for example loss and rejection, and what may help the child during the process. Staff listen to the children’s views and involve them in their planning, for example children choose their favourite staff to transport them to their new home. In addition, the staff liaise with the child’s new home and they work together to help the child to settle in. One provider complimented the staff’s contribution and described it as, ‘The best’ that they had experienced.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a cultural shift in how well children’s education is promoted. The manager and staff place greater emphasis on the children’s education. Regular discussions, weekly plans and new ideas have helped the staff to think differently about how to encourage children to learn. In addition, the manager and staff have improved their working relationships with the virtual school. They now hold regular meetings to discuss the children’s education and the resources needed at the home Inspection report for children’s home: SC032701 3 and in the educational setting. One child has started to access further education. The child felt good about their attendance and the benefit that it may have on their future. The child said, ‘It’s good for my CV.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are supported to understand their life story. Staff have received additional training, advice and one staff member is appointed as a life-story champion, promoting the topic. The quality of life-story records have significantly improved. To develop this area further, the manager and staff have signed up to deliver a pilot project which gathers children’s life stories and memories on an electronic format. It is too early to evaluate this; however, this additional opportunity will help the children to gain a greater understanding of their early life experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of the physical intervention records has improved. In collaboration with the home’s physical intervention trainer, the provider has reviewed the form which the staff complete after every incident. New sections and explanatory notes have been added. This ensures that all the required information is recorded in the child’s record. Furthermore, it assists the manager to evaluate the incident and determine if it was necessary and proportionate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children know how to make a complaint and they are regularly reminded by the staff on how to use the process. Complaint forms and stamped addressed envelopes are easily accessed so that children can raise issues without the need to approach the staff. In one complaint, an investigation was carried out and the relevant agencies were informed. However, the written record was brief, and missed out some information. In addition, it did not show if the child was informed of the actions taken or if they were happy with the outcome.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of management oversight has improved. There has been an increase in senior management oversight with an emphasis on the regulations and quality standards. Audits and regular management meetings have helped to identify where further improvements are required and to find solutions to issues. The manager said that this additional support has been beneficial, and that this has increased her knowledge and confidence in her role.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Gaps in staff training are being addressed. Staff can now respond appropriately to safeguard the children when there are concerns regarding child sexual exploitation. The staff are enrolled onto other courses such as health and safety, some of which have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The manager has a system in place to track the staff’s training courses and identify if any are overdue.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are some staff who have not completed the required residential childcare qualification in the specified timeframe. As a result, a requirement was made at the last inspection. The provider has reviewed all of the residential care staff within the organisation and they are in the process of commissioning an educational provider to complete this. Therefore, this requirement has been reissued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recruitment of staff has been a challenge. The staffing pressures have resulted in the staff needing to carry out extra shifts. The manager has prioritised the Inspection report for children’s home: SC032701 4 consistency of care to the children, therefore limiting the number of relief staff used to cover shifts. When necessary, the deputy managers have covered shifts to fill the gaps in the rota. Children have noticed the changes in staffing. However, they continue to speak positively about the relationships that they have with the staff, they know their key worker, and they can identify a staff member who they trust to ask for help if needed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have been allocated champion roles according to their skills, experience and personal interest. For example, the health champion is encouraging the children to live healthier lifestyles; from home cooked meals, food sharing in the community and reducing food waste. Staff feel motivated by their new roles. One staff member said, ‘I’m loving my job’, and another said, ‘I love the new energy in the home.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager speaks confidently about the future and the home’s development plan. Like the staff, she is motivated and eager to lead the team in continually raising the standards of care for the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Due to time constraints, the recommendations that were made at the last inspection to improve the quality of the staff supervision and children’s records, and to ensure that the children can see the results of their views being acted on, were not considered. Therefore, these have been re-issued. Inspection report for children’s home: SC032701 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/10/2019 Full Good 22/01/2019 Full Outstanding 26/09/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC032701 6

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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.

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma"); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma. (Regulation 32 (1) (4)(a)(b)) 10 September 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered provider should ensure that the record of staff supervision is of good quality. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.4)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered provider should ensure that the children see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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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 Inspection report for children’s home: SC032701 7 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: SC032701 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: South Tyneside Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Town Hall, Westoe Road, South Shields NE33 2RL

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Inspector

Catherine Heron, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC032701 9 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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