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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2682261 1 Registered provider: North Tyneside Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a local authority. It provides care for one child with social and/or emotional difficulties. This can include children who are at risk of alcohol or drug dependency.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2682261 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide well-planned individualised care and routines to the child. Advice from the multi-agency treating team has been essential in ensuring that the child receives the right care to meet their day-to-day needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff care about the child and want them to do well. They treat the child with respect. The child’s views, feelings and wishes are important. For example, the child made a request for more female staff to work in the home. Arrangements were made to allow this to happen. This helps to ensure that the child feels listened to and more comfortable.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has only been open for a few months. Relationships are still developing, particularly between the staff and family members. The child said that they have good relationships with a few of the staff. This means that the child has someone who they can talk to and confide in if needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

It has taken time to find the right educational provision for the child, who is now attending school on a reduced timetable. There are plans to increase the time spent in school as the child settles in. Learning outside of school includes activities such as cooking, games and making bracelets. This will help the child fulfil their potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has support from staff for their physical and emotional health. Access to specialist care, such as the child and adolescent mental health services, is ongoing. This provides the child with the right help for their emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The move into the home was well planned. The child was able to meet some of the staff before moving in and see pictures of the home. This helped the child to get to know the people who would be caring for them and start to develop trust.

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

Risks are well known and managed by staff who understand how to respond to issues when they arise. The child said that they feel safe in the home, which is positive. Feeling secure is important for children as they grow and develop into adults.

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

There are gaps in the recorded outcomes and planned next steps for significant incidents. Some records had this information, and some did not. Completing records with planned outcomes will make sure that the actions taken help to keep children safe.

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

Staff manage situations well, approaching safeguarding concerns as a team to ensure consistency. This was seen during the inspection when an issue occurred Inspection report for children’s home: 2682261 3 during family time. Staff supported the child and the family This effective joint working helped to keep the child safe.

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

Staff have used physical interventions on several occasions. These have been to prevent the child from hurting themselves, staff or damaging the home. Conversations offered after these events help the staff and child to reflect. This has helped to reduce physical interventions in recent months.

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

A safer recruitment process is in place for staff working in the home. There is a similar process for agency staff. This helps to ensure that the people who provide care are safe to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a vision for the home and wants it to be the best it can be. She has an understanding about the strengths and the areas for improvement. She helps the staff to deliver a good standard of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A strong multi-agency approach is important, given the child’s complex needs. There are good working relationships between the manager, staff and other professionals. The robust plan supports the child and considers the local authority planning and advice from the healthcare team. This ensures that the child has the stable emotional support they need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff are a strong, supportive team and they work well together. There is also good support from the management team. Supervision, team meetings and appraisals happen regularly. Staff do not have to wait for formal supervision if there is something that they need to talk about.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Specific training provided to staff has enhanced their skills. Advice and support are ongoing from the external treating team. These weekly sessions are reflective. This allows staff to think about what has gone well and what needs to change for the future. This ensures that staff practice improves over time. Inspection report for children’s home: 2682261 4

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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, the 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that relevant information is consistently recorded in the significant incident file to reflect the outcomes and steps taken to reduce future significant harm and protect children. 23 May 2023

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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: 2682261 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: North Tyneside Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Quadrant, Cobalt Business Park, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear NE27 0BY

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Inspector

Miriam Dolman, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2682261 6 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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