Children's home run by North Tyneside Council

Assurance inspection for report for children’s home: 2602142 1 Registered provider: North Tyneside Council

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated and managed by a local authority. It provides care for one child who may experience learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairment, and mental health issues.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager at the home since 31 July 2023. There is a manager in day-to-day charge of the home who has not made an application to become the registered manager.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

During this inspection, the inspector observed staff supporting the child.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2602142 2

p.1

Outcome from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2602142 3

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the home remains without a registered manager. An interim manager has been in post since August 2023 and a deputy manager since October 2023. This has brought some management oversight to the home and reassurance for staff. The management team is imbedding new procedures and processes to improve the care provided to the child.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding procedures, such as reporting serious incidents, are followed. This ensures that the regulator has oversight of these events. However, staff do not consistently follow procedures and record incidents when the child experiences harm. One example where the child harmed himself was not recorded accurately by staff. This impacts on the accuracy of essential information such as the harm experienced by the child and steps taken by staff.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staffing issues continue to affect the amount of care that the child receives at the home; for example, the child has not stayed at the home full-time since February 2023. Recent staff recruitment means that the child can now stay overnight for more days. A constant recruitment drive is in place to improve staff sufficiency. New staff receive an induction into the home and shadow experienced staff. This helps to improve staff knowledge and skills to meet the child’s needs.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Supervision and team meetings are an opportunity for staff to reflect on their practice. Furthermore, staff improve their knowledge to better understand the child’s presenting needs, which helps the child to remain settled and calm.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff respond to the child’s health needs and seek appropriate medical care when necessary. This makes sure that the child has prompt medical attention.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The staff make sure that the home is a comfortable environment. Toys and learning resources are placed in easy reach so that the child can access them independently. Practical changes such as new flooring and protective equipment has helped to ensure the home is safe.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff are sensitive to the child’s day-to-day challenges. The child is treated with dignity and respect. He enjoys a range of activities for social development. This includes trips to local attractions and sensory play. Photos taken by staff capture special memories. Additionally, records of the child’s experiences use child-centred language.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The management team has built effective relationships with multi-agency professionals, which helps staff to share important information and provide consistent care. Collaboration takes place with agencies such as health, education, behaviour support and specialist services. Leaders hold services accountable to make sure that the child gets the external support and help that they need. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2602142 4 Risk assessments are updated regularly. They include specialist health advice and strategies to mitigate risks. The staff follow processes for the use of the child’s safe bed. This helps to prevent future incidents of harm.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Increased attendance at an education provision provides stimulation and new experiences that benefit the child. The senior leadership team acknowledge that the child has a right to more education and is addressing this at a senior level.

p.4

Findings from the inspection

The management team has developed processes to hear the views of family members. Senior managers respond to complaints and concerns received. They are committed to having a working relationship with the child’s family to ensure staff provide consistent and predictable care. The family members now have a platform to voice their concerns, which helps towards reaching a resolution.

p.4

Findings from the inspection

The deputy manager has implemented some changes to medication procedures. Staff complete training to administer medication safely, and are not permitted to give medication until their competency has been assessed by a medical professional. This improves staff confidence and safety for the child.

p.4

Findings from the inspection

The electronic filing system is not always updated promptly. Staffing pressures have influenced how quickly staff upload documents onto the child’s electronic file. This means that staff may not have access to the most up-to-date information to meet the child’s needs.

p.4

Findings from the inspection

The senior leadership team acknowledge and understand what further action is needed to improve the home. Since the last inspection one recommendation, and three requirements have been met. There continues to be gaps in management oversight, safeguarding, escalation, and staff completing relevant qualifications within the regulatory timeframe. Additionally, shortfalls remain in making sure that the child’s communication strategies are implemented, and sufficient education is provided to the child. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2602142 5

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/08/2022 Full Good 30/11/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2602142 6

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(h)) 28 February 2024

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; and 28 February 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2602142 7 are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies.

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(vi)(vii)(b))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff recording of incidents The registered person must ensure that a disabled child accommodated in the home is provided with access to such aids and equipment as the child may require as a result of the child's disability in order to facilitate the child's communication with other persons. (Regulation 22 (4)) 28 February 2024

p.7

Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child's education and training targets, as recorded in the child's relevant plans;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child's relevant plans; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child's learning. (Regulation 8 (1)(2)(a)(i)(x)(b)) 28 February 2024

p.7

Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

p.7

Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma"); or

p.7

Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

p.7

Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years 28 February 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2602142 8 after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home. (Regulation 32 (1)(2)(a) (3)(b)(4)(a)(b)(5)(a)) In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

p.7

Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority's or a relevant person's performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child's needs are met in accordance with the child's relevant plans; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children's home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (c)(d))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, challenging when minutes from children’s review meetings are not received; and when education provision is not provided. 28 February 2024

p.8

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that electronic records are stored in a way that ensures they are easily accessible to all members of staff who need access to meet the child’s needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 14.2) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2602142 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: North Tyneside Council

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Quadrant East, Cobalt Offices, 15b-15c The Silverlink North, North Tyneside, NE27 0BY

p.9

Inspector

Cat Makel, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2602142 10 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.

p.9

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.10