Children's Home run by Stockton on Tees Borough Council in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC035387 1 SC035387 Registered provider: Stockton-on-Tees Borough 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 provides cares for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home closed temporarily in October 2022 for a period of renovation and refurbishment. Due to this, Ofsted placed a condition on the home’s registration. This set out that the local authority must inform Ofsted of its intention to admit children three months before a child commences living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The local authority has informed Ofsted of its intention to reopen the home.

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Information about this children’s home

A manager has been appointed. They are in the process of completing an application to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was completed to ensure that the home remains safe and suitable and continues to meet the requirements for registration. As part of this visit, the home environment was viewed, and the staffing arrangements were monitored.

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This monitoring visit

Since October 2022, the home has undergone extensive improvement. This has involved maintenance work, redecoration, and the replacement of furniture and fittings. The work on the building is now complete and the home is in good repair. The home is pleasantly decorated and furnished and is well equipped.

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This monitoring visit

Currently, the home has a manager, a deputy manager and four residential workers. Ongoing recruitment is taking place to ensure that the home has sufficient staff to care for children.

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This monitoring visit

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection are carried forward and will be reviewed at the home’s next full inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC035387 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/01/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/02/2020 Full Good 26/11/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC035387 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, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards.’ The registered person must comply with 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, ensure that children’s risk assessments are accurate; that children have individualised missing-from- home protocols for staff to follow; and that assessments prior to admission identify all potential risks for all children. 10 March 2022

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iv)(v)(vii)) 10 March 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which— 10 March 2022 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC035387 4 include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that a child’s bedroom should only be searched if the child has been informed or asked for their permission. In particular, ensure that search records include if the child was present and details of the safe storage of any items removed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 16, paragraph 3.20)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 63, paragraph 14.13)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that their review of the premises includes the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to ensure the home has safe and suitable facilities and resources to care for children.

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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: SC035387 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton-on- Tees, Cleveland TS18 1LD

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Inspector

Emma Ridley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC035387 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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