Children's Home run by Durham County Council in Durham

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2684203 1 Registered provider: Durham County Council

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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 operated and managed by a local authority. The home can provide care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in June 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of this inspection. The inspector spoke with this child during the visit.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken in order to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

The child has made exceptional progress since moving in. The day-to-day experiences for the child are positive. The child is cared for by adults who are warm and nurturing in their approach. The child is constantly reminded of how wonderful they are and the progress that they have made. The home is personalised for the child, giving them a sense of belonging.

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This monitoring visit

Staff understand the child’s previous trauma and how this links to their ever- changing emotions. Staff know the child’s risks and vulnerabilities well, and they are provided with clear direction on how to respond when the child is at risk of harm to themselves or others. As a result, incidents overall, whether in the home or in the community, have significantly reduced.

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This monitoring visit

The manager acknowledges that the child has been involved in risk-taking behaviours that have led to several complaints from the local community. The manager and senior leaders have been responsive to the concerns raised. Leaders have attempted to repair relationships in the community, working in partnership with external agencies, including the police. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2684203 2 The manager is an inspirational leader who is highly ambitious for the current child and children who have lived at the home. The staff hold the manager in high regard. One staff member said, ‘The manager is the driving force; she has reignited the fire. We are very proud of [name of child] and the progress they have made. The manager’s relationship with [name of child] is unconditional, which allows [name of child] to feel increasingly safe, and they refer to this as home.’

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This monitoring visit

Most of the requirements that were issued at the last full inspection have been met, along with the two previously stated recommendations.

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This monitoring visit

The requirement that was previously issued under regulation 14 was not reviewed during this visit. For this reason, it is restated.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/02/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2684203 3

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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 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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (10) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of the children from which it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the children’s risk assessment identifies their known risks and that this is effectively evaluated. This should also identify the steps the staff must take to support the reduction of the risk. 31 August 2023

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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: 2684203 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Durham County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Durham DH1 5UL

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Inspector

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2684203 5 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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