Children's Home run by Acorn Care (UK) Limited in Darlington

Inspection report for children’s home: SC390751 1 SC390751 Registered provider: Acorn Care (UK) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private company. It provides care and support for up to five children with social and/or emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2022. He holds suitable qualifications for this role.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 15 November 2021

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC390751 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/11/2021 Full Good 09/01/2020 Full Good 19/03/2019 Full Good 22/01/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC390751 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a home which is warm, cosy and welcoming. It is a family environment with the children’s belongings, toys, games and books dotted throughout the home. The children can be heard playing the piano and engaging with one another and the staff at mealtimes and undertaking activities together. At the time of the inspection, the children had been helped to decorate their home in preparation for Halloween.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are happy and settled living here. They have particularly close relationships with the staff, whom they trust. As a result, the children feel able to share their worries, sometimes for the first time. Staff empathise with children, and this helps children to talk things through without feeling judged.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make emotional progress, some significantly. They learn how to self- regulate from staff who are patient and skilled and who care. This means there are fewer incidents within the home and this benefits all children. One child’s progress was described by a professional as ‘phenomenal’.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Direct work takes place frequently in both a planned way and as and when needed, such as after an incident or consequence. This helps the children understand how their choices and behaviours can have an impact on themselves and others. However, staff do not always make sure that children understand written information which is given to them. This means that learning could be lost.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views about their care are obtained in a variety of ways and their opinions matter. Their influence can be seen in many ways, from the colours of the walls to the weekly menus to the destination of the recent summer holiday. However, children’s responses to questionnaires are not always followed up by staff. This is a missed opportunity to help and reassure the children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s families and friends are very much valued. Significant progress is made by staff to help establish or develop those relationships. This means that children have been able to spend time with those who are most important to them. One parent said of the staff: ‘I can’t find the words to praise them enough.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s talents are noticed by staff, and they are encouraged and enabled to develop them. Equipment is bought and lessons paid for. This helps children feel special and have aspirations.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children only move into the home when it has been determined that their needs can be met. A risk assessment considers the impact on the child as well as the children Inspection report for children’s home: SC390751 4 already living in the home. Areas of concern are identified, and action is put in place to reduce the potential for an increase in risk.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff know the children particularly well. Children’s risk assessments and safety plans are unique to the needs of each child and updated regularly. They have oversight and input from a clinical psychologist, which enhances their quality. Staff are familiar with them, which means they understand the children’s needs and how to help them. Staff are alert to children’s emotions and are skilled in de-escalating situations. This means children experience fewer physical restraints.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Following a restraint or serious incident, debriefs take place with children. This enables the children to talk about, reflect, learn and raise any worries they may have. One child said that staff had helped him ‘feel cared for’ when he was restrained. Managers scrutinise this practice to ensure that it is safe and necessary.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff seek to improve their practice because they know that this will benefit the children. They attend training to increase their knowledge and understanding and to develop their skills. They listen to and act on the advice and guidance provided by professionals. One professional described the staff team as ‘embracing learning and demonstrating their passion for the children.’

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Although children rarely go missing from the home, staff know what to do in such an event. They follow the individualised missing-from-home procedures and look for children. This reduces the time children are away from the home, which makes them safer. However, records of these episodes are not always clear. This makes it difficult for the managers to scrutinise the actions of staff.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When a child makes an allegation, they are taken seriously, and staff know what to do. Swift action is taken by the managers and staff, which helps children feel listened to and protected.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Measures are in place to recruit new staff safely. However, on one occasion, a gap in employment was not sufficiently explored. This does not follow safer recruitment guidelines.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has had a considerable impact on the home since his appointment. Staff morale has improved significantly, with some staff who had left returning to work in the home. Comments from staff include: ‘He has completely changed the atmosphere,’ ‘He has made me feel empowered because he includes me in important decision-making,’ and ‘He is amazing, so supportive.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has a strong presence in the home and divides his time well between performing his managerial duties and spending time with the children. He makes a point of having no meetings after three o’clock so he can spend time with the children when they return home from school. One child said: ‘He is the best manager ever, kind and caring.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC390751 5 The manager is supported by an experienced and committed deputy. Both are firmly committed to ensuring that the children receive the best possible care and making progress in all areas. They have a particularly good working relationship and complement one another.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has ensured that recent appointments have increased the diversity of the staff team, bringing to the children a range of experiences, knowledge and skills. They follow the example the managers set and share their vision. The managers are aware of the strengths and areas of development for the team, both individually and as a group. Discussions take place and actions are set in supervision, appraisals and team meetings which support the staff to reflect on the children’s needs and their own practice.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has ensured that debriefs take place after an incident with the staff involved and as a team. This enables learning for all staff and helps the children receive consistent approaches from the staff. Debriefs provide staff with an opportunity to reflect on what took place, what could have been done differently, and identify what they have learned. It also enables the staff involved to receive emotional support, which helps them continue to support the children effectively.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers ensure that new staff receive a comprehensive induction. They are also proactive in securing specialist training for the staff team so that they can better meet the needs of the children. The clinical psychologist attends team meetings to provide support, guidance and advice to the whole team. This has helped staff understand the children’s behaviours, respond more effectively and feel supported.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The children’s best interests are central to everything the managers do. They advocate on behalf of the children. This includes pursuing specialist therapy for children, securing routine healthcare, and ensuring that children have the education provision which is right for them.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The management team has excellent monitoring systems in place so that its members know what takes place in the home involving the children and staff and what requires addressing. They have a clear understanding of the progress that children are making and identify actions to address any issues. Inspection report for children’s home: SC390751 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children’s responses to consultation are followed up, and that children understand written information which is given to them. 7 December 2022

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, gaps in employment need to be fully explored. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful and clear recording. In particular, records need to be legible, accurate and signed by the staff involved. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.6

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: SC390751 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Care (UK) Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 33 Kellaw Road, Yarm Road Business Park, Darlington, County Durham DL1 4YA

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Julie-Ann Foxton

p.7

Inspector

Emma Ridley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC390751 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8