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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC040583 1 SC040583 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 three children who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2020.

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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

Date of last inspection: 2 November 2021

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC040583 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/11/2021 Full Outstanding 22/01/2020 Full Good 12/03/2019 Full Outstanding 10/08/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC040583 3

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outstanding

This is an exceptionally happy home. It is also a family home, with the children’s presence felt, seen and heard throughout. The children’s many achievements are captured on certificates and notes handwritten by the staff, which adorn the house ‘celebration tree’ for all to see. The children are incredibly proud of this.

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outstanding

When the inspector asked the children to rate the home out of 10, one child said, ‘100 out of 10.’ The child said, ‘Staff help me when I am upset.’ Another child said, ‘This is the best place I have ever lived. The staff are the best ever. I love them all.’ From day 1, children are nurtured and given routines and structures based on their individual needs. This means that they immediately begin to settle and quickly thrive.

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outstanding

Despite moving into the home in difficult circumstances, and often after a succession of placement breakdowns, children make remarkable emotional progress. One professional said of the staff members, ‘I can’t sing their praises enough.’ A family member said, ‘They have worked miracles.’ Children are shown unconditional love and that they deserve to be loved. As a result, children become more confident and positive. One professional said, ‘This is a special place.’

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outstanding

Extensive work and careful planning take place before a child moves in. The competing risks and needs of the children are fully assessed before children move into the home. Additional support measures are identified and put in place where required. Staff are fully involved in the whole process. This means all staff have an excellent knowledge and understanding of the children from the outset.

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outstanding

The managers and staff are particularly mindful of the impact that change can have on children. As a result, they ensure that children’s school placements are maintained, even when they are out of the area. This provides familiarity for children and helps them to settle into the home. When an education provision is not meeting a child’s needs, the staff team is vocal about this. A great deal of care and attention are taken in finding the right provision. For one child, this has resulted in improved behaviours at school, which has prevented unnecessary disruption to their learning.

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outstanding

The resources which the home uses to help the children increase on a weekly basis. Each staff member spends time sourcing and purchasing books, cards and board games to engage the children. As a result, the children begin to understand their experiences and feelings. Children also learn about appropriate behaviours. This work has a positive impact on other important areas in their lives, such as school and family time. Recently, the children have been learning to meditate. This has improved their bedtime routine and improved one child’s sleep pattern. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040583 4 Children are helped by staff who are alert to their health needs and advocate on their behalf. This has resulted in one child no longer requiring daily medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and asthma. Staff also advocate on behalf of children when they have been discriminated against. They successfully challenged

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outstanding

the school of one child who had been excluded from an overnight school trip. This meant the child was able to take part and have the same experience as her peers.

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outstanding

Although rarely used, measures are in place to help children learn that there are consequences to their behaviour and actions. Reparation is used where possible. This gives children the opportunity to make amends and learn.

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outstanding

Children’s views are sought in a variety of ways. These views are acted on by staff, who make things happen in line with their wishes and needs. Two of the children were taken to the Queen’s funeral in London. For the other child, who chose not to go, the house was decorated in bunting, and she enjoyed an afternoon tea with staff and watched the funeral on television. At Christmas, the children were involved in helping to put together and then delivering hampers for families in need in their community. This will have enhanced their social conscience.

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outstanding

Children are helped by staff to spend time with those who are important to them, sometimes for the first time in several years. Staff arrange, facilitate and support this. Families are invited to spend time in the home. This is significant in promoting the children’s identities and important relationships. One family member described coming for tea and being shown around the home. This helps families to feel more in touch with and connected to the children.

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outstanding

Children’s risk assessments and support plans are clear and thorough. They fully detail each child’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. They provide staff with guidance on the strategies to use to manage and reduce risks and how to care for the children. They are regularly reviewed and discussed in a variety of forums, which means staff have current information and can provide care which is appropriate and consistent.

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outstanding

Although serious incidents are rare, staff know what to do in the event of one. The managers ensure that staff are regularly reminded of policies, procedures and individualised action plans during supervision and team meetings. Recently, staff responded swiftly and proactively when they overheard a concerning comment from a child. Additional safeguarding measures were put in place. This protected everyone who was involved.

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outstanding

Staff immerse themselves in the children’s lives because of their desire to help them. They find out what is challenging the children at school and then help them with these areas at home. This does not go unnoticed by education professionals, with one stating, ‘The staff are always asking how they can help. They are very supportive. It is clear how much work they do with [Name of child] on a night.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC040583 5 Another commented, ‘The staff have invested in [Name of child’s] educational needs. [Name of child] has made good progress, which is a lot about how [Name of child] is supported at home.’

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outstanding

Schools seek the support of staff because they see the incredibly positive relationships between the children and staff. On one occasion, a staff member was called into school to help a child who was very distressed, and school staff were unable to settle them. The staff member calmed the child, who was then able to return to class and have a positive end to the school day. Children are helped when they return home after a difficult day at school. Staff carry out focused work with the children. This helps children reflect on what happened, understand the impact of their actions on themselves and others and learn what they could have done differently. One professional said, ‘[Name of child] is far more settled in school. Aggressive behaviours have subsided.’

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outstanding

Staff supervise the children’s family time so that the children can have familiar adults with them who can support them. Staff also do this to observe these relationships. They are skilled in identifying concerning behaviours and will raise their concerns with the appropriate people. This has resulted in family time changing for one child to better meet the child’s needs and emotional well-being.

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outstanding

The managers are committed to ensuring that each child’s next placement is successful. Children are helped to begin the process of understanding and recovering from their experiences before they move on from the home. When necessary, children are referred to specialist services, which they engage with. Skilled staff can then manage the potential impact this intervention has on the children and help them.

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outstanding

Safeguarding measures are in place to prevent the children from accessing unsafe websites and social media apps. In addition, children are educated about the risks associated with these online platforms during children’s meetings. This increases children’s awareness and helps children to protect themselves against harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is passionate about meeting the children’s needs and leads by example. He wants all of the children to make significant progress while living in the home. He has a strong presence in the home and divides his time well between performing his managerial duties and spending time with the children. The relationships he has formed with the children are testimony to this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All of the professionals and family members spoken with commented on the excellent communication the managers and staff have with them. One professional described the communication as ‘exceptionally good’. A parent said, ‘I get updated with everything, good days and bad days. I even know if [Name of child] has had a restless night.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC040583 6 The manager is supported by a dedicated and committed staff team that follows his example. Staff look forward to coming to work. They will call in on their days off to see the children. Several staff came in on Christmas Day to have Christmas dinner with the children. This helps children feel important and cared for. One staff member said, ‘It’s the best job I’ve had in a long career. I have worked with some great teams in previous job roles but can say that the team I work with here are the best in their roles.’ Staff feel helped and supported by the managers and their

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

colleagues. One staff member talked about feeling so much more confident since working here.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers invest in their staff and recognise their potential. A significant amount of time has been spent over recent months in developing the staff team. In-house training days regularly take place, and staff attend specialist training on themes such as trauma. This helps staff provide the best possible care to the children. However, the training matrix is not up to date and is confusing to understand. This increases the potential for refresher training to be missed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff have their own tasks in the home, such as updating policies and carrying out consultation. This provides staff with an increased sense of purpose and helps to ensure the smooth running of the home. Staff are recognised and praised for the good work they do during supervision and team meetings. One staff member said this helps her to feel valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager comes up with creative ways to gain feedback from others. For example, an open day has been arranged at the home, which all relevant professionals have been invited to. They will hear from the manager about why challenge and critique are important in helping to develop and improve the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Good-quality team meetings and supervision sessions take place every month. The children are central to both. Discussions take place about how best to meet the children’s needs, and staff are encouraged to contribute and share their ideas. This practice helps staff feel important and also involves the whole team in raising the standard of care that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals are invited to attend team meetings to provide information about their knowledge of and work with the children. This is very much valued by staff as it increases their understanding of the children they care for and how to better meet their needs. The in-house therapeutic practitioner also attends, providing staff with strategies to help the children. This helps the children receive the best possible care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s documents give an excellent oversight into the children’s backgrounds and the progress that they have made since moving into the home. Measurable outcomes are monitored and assessed. All of the documents have management oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager makes effective use of the comprehensive monthly audit tool. It enables managers to have an overview of all areas in the home. Managers will identify any gaps or updates required, which are responded to by staff. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040583 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that training undertaken by staff is clearly recorded and that refresher dates are accurate. This specifically relates to the home’s training matrix. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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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: SC040583 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, Cleveland TS18 1LD

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Inspector

Emma Ridley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC040583 9 regulates and inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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