Children's Home run by Hennessy Living Group Limited in Durham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2661071 1 Registered provider: Hennessy Living Group Limited Full inspection 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 five children who experience social and emotional difficulties and who may have learning disabilities and mental health issues.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living in the home. The inspector spoke with all four children during the inspection.

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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: good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

An assurance inspection was carried out on 16 January 2024. During the inspection, Ofsted identified serious and widespread concerns. As a result, a decision was made to issue a notice restricting accommodation to prevent any further children moving into the home. In addition, one compliance notice under regulation 13 was issued. Inspection report for children’s home: 2661071 2 On 17 March 2024, Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit to review the provider’s compliance with the notice restricting accommodation and to look at the progress made to meet the actions set out in the compliance notice. The inspector found that the compliance notice issued under regulation 13 had been met. The notice restricting accommodation was no longer required and was therefore lifted. Inspection report for children’s home: 2661071 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/08/2023 Full Good 07/03/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/12/2022 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2661071 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have made considerable progress from their individual starting points. However, the overall experiences of all children have been adversely affected when another child moved into the home. Risk factors for all children increased to the point that the new child’s placement was ended at short notice. The help and protection and experiences for all children during this period were therefore briefly affected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children in the home receive consistent care provided by a stable staff team. As a result, children enjoy living in the home and have developed a sense of belonging. Children refer to those in the home as ‘family’. The children say that their home is calm and a happy place to live. One child said, ‘I am living my best life.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Despite one child’s placement ending at short notice, the child was supported sensitively by the staff, with a planned schedule of activities. The child moved on with photos and memorabilia of the time that they lived in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s individual interests are promoted in the home. Staff are invested in the children and ensure that they can access as many opportunities as possible. Children develop new interests, such as geocaching and origami. Children are encouraged to try new foods. Staff continue to provide opportunities to increase children’s exposure to new things. One child now enjoys fruit, so much so they are growing fruit in the garden.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are significant improvements to the children’s overall health. One child has lost weight because of the encouragement and support from the staff to become more active. The child has increased self-confidence, which has resulted in them joining a cricket team and playing for the school football team. This is a great achievement for the child who said, ‘I never thought I would be able to play on a football team. I feel great.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most of the children attend school. They are learning and are making good progress. Staff are ambitious for children and support them to attend and do well in their education. There is effective liaison with the headteacher of the virtual school. When one child was excluded from school, the registered manager tenaciously advocated for the child. When there are setbacks, staff work hard to re-engage children and get to the root cause of what the children are anxious about.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children spend meaningful time with family and friends. The staff have built positive relationships with the people who are important to the children. Staff regularly take the children to see their friends and family. One child has enjoyed going on holiday with their family for the very first time. Inspection report for children’s home: 2661071 5

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

Children are supported to develop their independence appropriately, while being suitably protected from unsafe situations or people. This helps children to build their self- confidence and learn to keep themselves safe. One child has started to enjoy time with their friends outside of the home. Another child now independently goes to the local shop. One child enjoys their friends visiting the home and coming for sleepovers.

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

Staff spend one-to-one quality time with children and model behaviours which are nurturing and respectful. This is done creatively to provide children with opportunities to share any worries they have. As a result, staff have developed trusting relationships with children and have a detailed understanding of their individual needs. One child enjoys going to get their nails done, and another child enjoys going to the local coffee shop.

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

Staff immerse themselves in opportunities to support children’s learning about external risks, such as online risks and the dangers of vaping. In addition, staff confidently discuss topics such as safe relationships, sex and health education with children. Staff ensure that discussions are enjoyable to promote engagement. For example, one child devised a quiz, which was enjoyed by all. Consequently, children do not go missing, they do not smoke, and they say that they feel safer online.

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

Positive behaviour support is promoted in the home. The manager has introduced self- soothe resources together with applying an emotionally intelligent approach. These evidenced-based approaches are in their infancy but are showing signs of effectiveness as children are more confident in managing their own emotions. In addition, there are fewer incidents where staff need to physically intervene to support children.

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

Staff respond quickly and decisively to promote children’s best interests. The registered manager’s oversight of incidents is consistent, and she ensures that the child and staff are spoken to following any incidents. She is keen for children and staff to learn from any incidents and has evidenced changes to practice when areas of development have been identified. The recording of incidents is clear.

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

When children make complaints, they receive a well-coordinated response. Children are listened to, regardless of the subject of the complaint, and made aware of the outcomes and actions. This means that children feel valued and that their opinions are heard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders are highly ambitious for children. The responsible individual has been pivotal in the drive to change and improve practice. There has been a focus on developing an open and honest culture where children come first. The responsible individual has instilled the registered manager with confidence and provided the support she needs to improve the quality of care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2661071 6 Leaders have a clear mission to show staff how to care for children in a way that involves a high level of nurture. Together, they display an unwavering commitment to provide the best possible care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has supported the team to recognise that the children need consistency, praise and understanding. Staff comment how this approach has ‘worked wonders’ for the children, who, as a result, are thriving. Children make exceptional progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has sought to understand staff’s training and learning needs by assessing their individual learning styles. In turn, this supports the manager to better understand her team and their individual strengths and development areas. This is supporting efficiency and more effective daily practices in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Many of the staff have worked in the home since the last inspection and they like the changes that the manager has introduced. One staff member described the changes in behaviour support as being like ‘chalk and cheese’. Children recognise these changes too. Children are supported by staff to contribute their ideas to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has been creative, using existing research and theory to inform staff development. For example, staff were supported to further their knowledge around person-centred care. One model of care explored in depth by the team focuses on participation and activities. This helps staff to continually improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is incredibly positive about her staff team. She recognises that caring for children with complex needs is a skilled role. She ensures that staff receive regular supervision and that they have access to ongoing management support. Recruitment has remained a challenge. However, there are enough staff and those available are fully committed to the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2661071 7

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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: 2661071 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hennessy Living Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rickleton 1B, Bowes Offices, Lambton Park, Chester-le- Street DH3 4AN

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Inspector

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2661071 9 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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