Children's Home run by Young Foundations Limited in Darlington

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 1 SC061439 Young Foundations Limited

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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 social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities and/or mental disorders.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living at the home at the time of the visit.

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Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager in post. A manager has been appointed but has not yet registered with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place in response to several complaints received by Ofsted in relation to staff practice and the care of a child in this home. The visit looked at specific issues, including those raised in each complaint. This included decision-making when children move into or out of the home and whether staff have the skills and training needed to support the children while they are living in the home. The visit also considered how children’s records are maintained and staff’s understanding of whistle-blowing.

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This monitoring visit

Two children have recently moved into the home and are suitably placed. The manager considered their needs before they moved in and arranged specific refresher training for staff. Staff continue to receive detailed guidance on each child’s emerging care needs from the manager and in-house psychologist. Staff feel confident, skilled and knowledgeable to provide the right level of care. Therefore, children settle quickly when they move into the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff spend time getting to know children. They use the relationships they build to encourage children to engage in education and pursue their extra-curricular Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 2 interests. One child’s talent in martial arts has been recognised and supported by staff, who have helped him to celebrate his success. Children make progress because of the care they receive from staff.

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This monitoring visit

One child, despite established relationships with staff and significant achievements, left the home in an unplanned way. Staff provided appropriate care to safeguard him until alternative accommodation could be found and supported his transition. The manager, despite advocating for the child, did not pursue contingency planning effectively with the local authority. The child did not have a positive experience in the period leading up to the move. The care planning requirement raised during the full inspection on 4 and 5 November 2022 remains and will be further assessed at the next inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Staff maintain suitable records which detail the care provided and the child’s lived experience. The manager notifies Ofsted when there has been a serious incident. This helps Ofsted to understand how staff are responding and caring for children to reduce harm. A member of staff spoken to feels supported in her role by the manager and understands the company’s whistle-blowing process. The provider has responded appropriately by investigating the complaints received. Senior leaders know the home’s strengths, and the manager is committed to promoting the continuing development of the home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/10/2022 Full Good 14/06/2022 Full Inadequate 28/09/2021 Full Good 27/08/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 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, 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, pursue planning to minimise the impact for children transitioning from the home. 30 September

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Young Foundations Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Alexander House, Highfield Park, Llandrynog, Denbighshire, Wales LL16 4LU

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Inspector

Joanna Warburton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC061439 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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