Children's home run by North East Autism Society

Inspection report for children’s home: 2682299 1 Registered provider: North East Autism Society 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 private organisation and is governed by a board of trustees. The home can care for up to four children with emotional and social difficulties. The home may also provide care for children with either a learning disability or a mental condition. The home may also provide care for one child with a physical disability and one child with sensory impairments.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2022.

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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 outstanding

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2682299 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/03/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2682299 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s needs are well understood by the staff. Staff are afforded time to build relationships with children, and these are built on openness and honesty. Children are confident to express themselves with staff, whom they trust.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have good attendance at school and make positive progress. Communication with children’s schools is effective, and information about children’s emotional and physical well-being is shared. This is particularly important for children who have health needs, as it supports them to remain in good health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are listened to, and staff help children to make their wishes and feelings known. Children have access to an advocate if they wish, and they understand how to make a complaint. Children’s social workers regularly visit the home and are supported by staff to spend quality time with children. Children tell their social workers that they feel safe living in the home and like spending time with the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise and celebrate the achievements of children. Children have life skills books that have plans to promote their independence. A record is kept of which steps in the independence plan the children have achieved. This prepares children well for their futures and adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the importance of children maintaining important relationships. Children’s families are welcomed into the home. Staff take children to see their families and offer support, so these meetings are positive for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious and designed to support children develop life skills. Improvements have been made to the garden, which make it more accessible for children with mobility needs. This makes the home and grounds inclusive for all children who live there. However, there is some equipment that is no longer used or needed that detracts from what is otherwise a homely environment.

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

Staff complete risk assessments for children in the home that consider all known risks. Risk assessments are updated after incidents and any significant events. Children’s care plans aim to reduce harm to children, and reflective discussions take place between the registered manager and staff following any incidents. This helps staff to work in a consistent way to safeguard children.

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

The registered manager ensures that there is thorough scrutiny of children’s safeguarding records. Communication is good, and the registered manager shares safeguarding information with relevant external professionals so they can review any accidents, incidents or physical interventions. Professionals appreciate this transparent approach. Inspection report for children’s home: 2682299 4 Staff are quick to raise concerns if they identify any risks in the home or community. The registered manager addresses any concerns promptly, and actions are taken to reduce risk. Staff are fully aware of their duty to raise any safeguarding concerns. They work cohesively as a team and understand the importance of consistent responses, so children are effectively safeguarded.

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

Children do not go missing from the home and prefer the company of staff to that of friends outside of the home. The registered manager has systems in place to share information quickly with authorities if children go missing from home.

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

When physical interventions take place, they are recorded fully as required. Any holds are used for the shortest time possible, are proportionate and are used to keep everyone safe. The registered manager completes a supportive and reflective debrief with staff and children. These help children link their feelings to their actions. Staff practice changes and adapts as a result of these discussions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A skilled, experienced and ambitious registered manager leads and directs the staff in the home. She carries out all management duties thoroughly and has a strong child-focused value base. She has high aspirations for all children in the home. All children’s records are detailed and underpin the delivery of high-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager ensures that there is excellent, joined-up multi-agency working, which benefits the children. The registered manager challenges professionals both within the organisation and outside it. She welcomes professionals into the home and is receptive to feedback. One professional said that communication from the staff at this home ‘is the best I have ever experienced’. Positive multi-agency working and open and transparent communication promote positive experiences for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is committed to developing all the staff who work in the home. They receive regular, high-quality supervision and annual appraisals. Staff hold the relevant qualifications for their role and complete a diverse range of training to support them to provide high-quality care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say they feel listened to by the registered manager. They say that they ‘love’ working in the home and recognise the effort and commitment shown by the registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Induction processes are thorough and focus on the needs of children. The registered manager holds regular team meetings in which she shares current research with the staff. At a recent team meeting, the registered manager shared research around the effects of adverse childhood experiences on children and their long-term effects. Staff reflect on their practice and have a clearer understanding of children’s journeys and experiences. Professionals commented on how well the staff understand their roles. Inspection report for children’s home: 2682299 5

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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, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person must comply within the given timescales.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s home is a homely, domestic environment, ensuring that repairs are made and decommissioned equipment is removed. This is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for and value each child as an individual. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2682299 6

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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: 15 Lumley Court, Drum Industrial Estate, Chester Le Street, County Durham DH2 1AN

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Inspector

Carol Jagger, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2682299 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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