Children's home run by Stockton on Tees Borough Council in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 1 SC456710 Registered provider: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated and managed by a local authority. It provides care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2022. She holds suitable qualifications for this role.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/06/2021 Full Good 28/01/2020 Full Good 16/01/2019 Full Outstanding 08/01/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 3

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outstanding

Children love living here and do not want to leave. They get on and care for one another. They spend time together socialising inside and outside the home, and they laugh and joke together. When asked to mark their home out of 10, one child said: ‘It’s off the scale.’

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outstanding

Children’s relationships with staff are particularly close, and they respect each other. All of the children said that staff listen to them and are fair. One professional described the home as ‘brilliant’, and the staff as ‘child-centred’. It is clear how much the children are cared for, and the staff are extremely proud of the children’s achievements.

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outstanding

Children who have moved on keep in touch with staff, visit occasionally, and invite staff to significant life events, such as their university graduation. This further demonstrates the strength of the bonds between children and staff.

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outstanding

This environment replicates a family home. Great care has been taken to make it look and feel that way. It is cosy and comfortable throughout, and pleasantly decorated and furnished. However, not all of the children’s bedrooms are cleaned to the same standard, and this is not in keeping with the rest of the home.

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outstanding

There is an abundance of photos of children, both past and current residents, on the walls and in beautifully presented albums which reflect the many memories made. The celebration tree captures the children’s achievements every month, as does the monthly newsletter. As a result, children feel valued and that they belong.

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outstanding

Staff work hard to help children settle when they move in. They adopt a caring but considered approach where everything is taken at the child’s pace. This helps children to feel less overwhelmed and reduces the pressure they can feel to quickly fit in. Staff go to great lengths to find out what might help children to feel more at home. For one child, whose favourite meal is their grandfather’s home-made pasta bake, staff worked closely with the child’s family to get a batch of it so that they could all enjoy it together.

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outstanding

The views and wishes of the children are incredibly important and are obtained frequently and in a variety of ways. This ensures that all children are able to express their opinions. The influence of the children can be seen throughout, from the meals they eat, to the activities they enjoy, to the design of the garden, to the colours of their bedroom walls. The children are also consulted before a decision is made about a child moving into the home. This helps children to feel important and listened to. Inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 4 One child said: ‘Staff make things happen.’ Children begin to see family members again. Some of the children are supported by staff to meet family members for the first time. This helps the children to develop incredibly important relationships and brings about great happiness for the children. One professional said: ‘There is a big focus on family relationships and promoting contact.’

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outstanding

Children make significant progress in managing their emotions and behaviours. One professional said: ‘It has been [Name’s] saviour living here’. Children come to staff when they are worried or upset and staff respond in ways which work for each child, such as in writing. One child said: ‘I can talk to staff if I am feeling low.’

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outstanding

Staff help children understand the importance of having a healthy, well-balanced diet. Where necessary, work is undertaken to reduce the intake of unhealthy foods and drinks. As a result, children feel better and make healthier choices.

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outstanding

Children’s risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. They are individualised and provide a history of the adverse childhood experiences the children have been exposed to. This helps staff to understand the children’s behaviours and better meet their needs. The behaviour support tool provides individualised strategies to help each child, which staff consistently follow.

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outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding of the children’s risks and how to de-escalate situations. As a result, there has been no need to use physical restraint in over two years.

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outstanding

There has been a significant reduction in missing-from-home episodes. Nevertheless, staff know what to do when children go missing. They follow the individualised missing-from-home procedures and actively look for children. This reduces the time children are away from the home, which makes them safer. Staff are proactive in making sure that independent return home interviews are arranged. This means that any safeguarding concerns can be addressed and escalated if necessary.

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outstanding

When children present with items where they have self-harmed, room searches are carried out. This uncovers other items which are removed to prevent further harm. When children are observed outside the home with items which could create a risk in the home, staff carry out room searches. This safeguards all children in the home.

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outstanding

Staff are proactive when there is an incident. They ensure that children receive medical attention swiftly. They undertake direct work which helps the children understand risks. Children learn how to make safer choices and how to better protect themselves. Staff are proactive in making referrals to services for specialist support and intervention. They work restoratively and no child has been prosecuted for any offence. Inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 5 Allegations are responded to swiftly and the correct procedures are carried out. At all times, the safety and well-being of the children are prioritised.

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outstanding

Consequences are used to keep children safe and to help them learn that unacceptable behaviours can have implications for them. Staff take a lot into consideration before implementing a consequence. Where appropriate, children are given opportunities to avoid a consequence. Children are offered reparation where possible and this enables children to make amends and earn back what they have lost. However, it is not always clear in records whether children’s views are sought about every consequence. This makes it difficult for the manager to fully evaluate each consequence.

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outstanding

Mandatory training has been completed or is under way for all staff. Staff also undertake additional training specific to the needs of the children. Staff share this learning with the rest of the team, which means all staff benefit.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is forward-thinking and has high aspirations for the children. She advocates on their behalf, taking immediate action where necessary to safeguard them. She challenges others when decisions are not in the children’s best interests. As a result, children are safer, and their needs are better met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager undertakes a comprehensive impact risk assessment before a child moves in. She consults with the child’s family and relevant professionals. This means that children only move in when it would not increase their risks or the risks of the children already living in the home. If a gap is identified in staff training, this is arranged so that children receive the best possible care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is supported by a very capable deputy manager and a small, diverse, stable team whose members are experienced, knowledgeable and skilled. She has ensured that the casual staff who work with the children are a core group of workers whom the children know and engage with well. This provides familiarity for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The members of the staff team work incredibly well together, with more than one referring to the team as being like a ‘family’. They enjoy coming to work and get a great deal of satisfaction from helping the children, seeing them progress and enjoying their experiences. One professional commented on the ‘mutual respect between staff and management which contributes to the overall smooth running of the home.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular, purposeful supervision. They feel that the process is empowering and supportive and that their health and well-being are valued. They are able to reflect on their practice. There is a strong emphasis on development and training to inform practice and improve the lives of children. The manager actively seeks out research and new ways of working and she shares her learning effectively Inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 6 with the staff team. She has also recently begun to identify staff members to do the same. This will enable staff to progress and develop their learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers communicate information to the staff team in a variety of ways, such as by email, handovers, supervision and team meetings. This ensures that all staff have the same up-to-date information and the children receive consistent approaches and care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers have worked particularly hard to introduce new and improved recording systems into the home. This has proven to be incredibly effective and efficient in ensuring that the necessary work is carried out and to a high standard. They have also improved staff responses to safeguarding concerns so that there is less room for error. As a result, children are better safeguarded.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has oversight of important documents, such as incident forms and case records. She identifies the appropriateness and effectiveness of the actions taken by staff. In addition, she has a number of monitoring tools in place which enable her to have oversight of all aspects of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s home provides a clean environment. With specific reference to the children’s bedrooms. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.3)  The registered person should ensure that the behaviour management strategy is understood and applied at all times by staff. With specific reference to seeking children’s views when a sanction is implemented. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.34)

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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: SC456710 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton-on- Tees TS18 1LD

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Inspectors

Emma Ridley, Social Care Inspector Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC456710 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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