Children's Home run by Right-Trak Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC394909 1 SC394909

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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 offers care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager in post.

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Inspection date: 5 December 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 5 December 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Inspection date: 5 December 2023

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Inspection date: 5 December 2023

 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: SC394909 2

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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.

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Findings from the inspection

A new manager has been appointed but is yet to register with Ofsted. The manager has developed new and effective monitoring systems, which enables them to maintain better oversight of the home. They are now able to identify the home’s strengths and areas for development.

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Findings from the inspection

Children and staff have experienced unsettled times in the home due to the high level of staff turnover. As a result, children have not been provided with a sense of stability and their experiences have therefore been variable. Some children have developed positive relationships with staff despite recent changes. Staff continue to make efforts to build positive relationships and provide children with a sense of belonging.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are supported to engage in their education, and they are making clear progress. Staff support the children to attend education, and the children’s attendance is good. One child has now finished school and is training to be a joiner.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spend meaningful time talking to children about things that are important to them. Direct work sessions focus on children’s individual needs and cover a wide range of topics, including independence, smoking cessation and online safety. This helps children to make safer choices.

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Findings from the inspection

The children’s risk assessments are detailed and updated monthly to reflect the children’s presenting needs and risks. However, for one child, their risk has reduced but this was not accurately reflected in the risk assessment. This means that this child has not been fully supported to exercise their autonomy and take age- appropriate risks.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff said that they receive adequate support from their line manager. This includes regular supervision sessions where they can reflect on their practice and professional development. The supervision process provides the staff with the guidance they need to provide good and consistent care to the children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has ensured that the staff are able to access a wide range of training opportunities. The staff have all completed their mandatory training. Additional training relating to topics such as bullying, online safety and autism has been provided to the staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Fire safety equipment is locked away, which prevents staff from easily accessing it in the event of fire. There has been no review to determine the necessity of this Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC394909 3 arrangement in accordance with the children’s current risks. The kitchen being locked at night also restricts access to a fire escape route. This could prevent people from exiting the building in the event of a fire. Leaders took immediate action to address this concern.

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Findings from the inspection

Some areas of the home need repairs. There is damage in the children’s bedrooms and broken tiles in the bathroom. This does not reflect a homely, welcoming and safe environment for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Safer recruitment processes have not been followed. The manager has not explored the gaps in employment for two staff members. This increases the risk of children being cared for by inappropriate adults. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC394909 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/11/2022 Full Good 27/09/2021 Full Good 17/12/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC394909 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home;

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Requirement Due date

provide adequate means of escape from the home in the event of fire. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)(b)) 8 December 2023

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)) 19 January 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which 19 January 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC394909 6 the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff take reasonable precautions and make informed professional judgements based on the individual child’s needs and developmental stage about when to allow a child to take a particular risk or follow a particular course of action. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.7) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC394909 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Winovation, Houghtons Yard, Shields Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 2YP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Melanie Spriddell

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Inspector

Cherie Chen, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC394909 8 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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