Children's home run by North East Autism Society in County Durham

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC416136 1 SC416136

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Registered provider: North East Autism Society

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to five children who may have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2012.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector spoke to two of the three children who live in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 20 September 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC416136 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children enjoy the experiences they are supported to take part in and make progress.

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The care of children

The children enjoy the positive and nurturing response that they receive from the manager and the staff. They speak warmly of the children and are proud of the progress they make. Children’s plans identify their goals and aims. This helps the staff to support the children to make continued progress.

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The care of children

Children are supported to attend school regularly. The manager and staff work with all agencies to ensure that the children’s educational needs are well met.

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The care of children

Although children’s experiences have been limited to home-based activities, due to some staff shortages, this has now been addressed. One child has been successfully supported to attend an important family celebration, and others are supported to access community activities.

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The care of children

Children are supported to maintain their sense of identity and stay connected with those who are important to them.

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The care of children

Family members are complimentary about the care and support that the manager and staff provide to the children. Family members feel part of their children’s lives. The manager and staff keep them regularly updated about all the events that happen in the children’s lives. One parent said:

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The care of children

‘[Name of child] has come on massively. He has a beautiful connection with them (staff) and they do with him. They share all information and make me a part of [name of child]’s life again. I could not ask for anymore. They help us with seeing each other. They are all amazing.’

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The care of children

When children move out of the home, the manager and staff work at the child’s pace to ensure that this move goes well. Working relationships with the child, other agencies, professionals and family members are effective, which ensures that children settle quickly into their new home.

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The care of children

Improvements have been made in the medication arrangements for the children. The manager and staff are attuned to the children’s changing behaviour and they quickly seek out additional support from health services when this is required. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC416136 3 When this support results in changes to the children’s medication, the staff are not provided with clear information about this. This is because these changes are not consistently recorded throughout the children’s health records.

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The safety of children

The staff clearly understand the children’s needs, risks and vulnerabilities. They respond effectively to ensure that the children can live together safely and their welfare is promoted.

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The safety of children

The staff provide the children with close care and support. Therefore, there have been no incidents of children going missing from the home.

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The safety of children

The manager and staff carry out regular checks to ensure that the health and safety arrangements of the home are sustained. This promotes children’s welfare.

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The safety of children

At times of crisis, trained staff physically hold the children to keep them and others safe. The manager now makes sure that these incidents are reviewed to ensure that they are necessary, safe and proportionate. She also ensures that debriefs are offered to the staff. However, the manager has yet to have an effective system in place to ensure that the child’s feelings about these events are consistently sought within the required time frame.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has taken appropriate action to meet four of the seven requirements made at the last inspection. Although the manager has addressed some shortfalls in the leadership and management and medication procedures in the home, these have been reissued under different steps.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has improved monitoring systems in the home. These now identify any improvements or repairs that are needed. The positive links that the manager has with the organisation’s maintenance team ensure that any damage in the home is repaired quickly. Consequently, the home is maintained to a good standard and is safe for the children to enjoy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Most members of the core, consistent staff team are skilled and experienced to provide a good level of care for the children. The majority of the staff have the required childcare diploma qualification. The three newest members of staff are working to complete this. While one member of staff has yet to complete this qualification within the required time frame, the manager is monitoring the progress of this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Regular internal and external monitoring helps with the ongoing improvements in the home. The independent visitor carries out monthly visits to the home and identifies areas for continued improvement. While the manager uses these reports to support her to make improvements in the home, Ofsted has not received the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC416136 4 recent report, and one report has been significantly delayed. The manager is escalating this with the provider.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager supports the team to ensure that children’s needs are met. Staff have opportunities to reflect on their practice and identify their training needs during supervision sessions and annual appraisals. In addition, staff value the information that is shared during team meetings. However, these do not take place monthly as specified in the home’s statement of purpose. This is a missed opportunity for the manager to offer further support to the staff. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC416136 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/01/2022 Full Good 14/01/2020 Full Outstanding 05/02/2019 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC416136 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered persons 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 persons must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the correct dosage of the child’s medication is recorded in all their healthcare plans. 31 March 2023

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(c)) 28 April 2023

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)) 2 June 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC416136 7 This specifically relates to ensuring that team meetings take place monthly in accordance with the home’s statement of purpose. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC416136 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: North East Autism Society

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: North East Autism Society, 15 Lumley Court, Drum Industrial Estate, Chester-le-Street, County Durham DH2 1AN

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Inspector

Janine Shortman-Thomas, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC416136 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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