Children's Home run by Action for Children in Northumberland

Inspection report for children’s home: 2726339 1 Registered provider: Action for Children 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 operated by a children’s charity. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2023.

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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 good

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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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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2726339 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/03/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2726339 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a welcoming feel and is well furnished and decorated. Children have their personal belongings in their bedrooms, which they are encouraged to decorate in a theme of their choice. There are photos of the children in communal areas. This helps the children to feel settled and have a sense of belonging in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop meaningful and lasting relationships with staff. This is because the staff show that they are committed to children and keep them at the centre of their practice. The inspector observed staff members showing kind and caring interactions with children. The staff are compassionate and determined to support the children to thrive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress from their starting points due to the support they receive from staff at the home. Staff support children to attend education, and children are achieving academically. Where there are challenges for children, staff and managers will advocate on behalf of the child. Staff regularly attend meetings with schools, which helps to promote partnership working to support the needs of the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise children’s physical and emotional health and well-being. Professionals speak positively about the home and the progress the children are making. The home is described as ‘therapeutic’, and staff have provided routine and stability for the children. One professional described the home as providing ‘high level’ support to children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children take part in a range of hobbies, activities and days out. They play for local football clubs or attend community groups. This helps children to learn new things, develop their social skills and explore their talents and interests. This gives children a sense of achievement and exposes them to new experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to see their families and ensure that they enjoy their time together safely. These are important relationships to children, and it makes a difference to know that their families are still part of their lives. One family member commented that they feel reassured by the care the staff provide to the child.

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

Children’s files contain all relevant documentation to help staff manage risk. The risk assessments and care plans are detailed and specific to the individual needs of the child. They provide a clear overview to staff of what the risks are and how these may present. This helps to ensure that the child is kept as safe as possible and protected from harm. Risk assessments are reviewed when necessary, which helps to ensure that staff have access to the most recent information. Inspection report for children’s home: 2726339 4 A rewards system is used to encourage positive behaviour. Children can earn certificates, and there is a record of their achievements. This helps children to feel supported by staff and encourages more positive behaviours.

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

The manager ensures that all new staff are vetted before they work in the home. Safer recruitment checks are carried out. This helps to ensure that the adults working in the home are suitable to do so, which helps to keep the children safer.

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

When children become angry or upset, the staff work with them to help them to recognise their feelings and to learn ways of expressing them appropriately. Sometimes, children are held to keep them and others safe. Staff have received training to ensure that they know how to do this safely and effectively. The records of these incidents are accurate and demonstrate how effective the hold was in supporting the child. The manager has oversight of all records and reflects on areas for improvement. This helps to ensure that practice is scrutinised to safeguard children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She is enthusiastic about providing the best care to children and speaks positively about each of them. This is mirrored by the staff, whose positive regard is evident through discussions and observations. The manager and staff share high aspirations and encourage the children to achieve.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager maintains good oversight of staff’s development needs. This is done through regular supervision sessions with staff and annual appraisals which focus on their skills and training needs. The practice is reflective in nature, and staff speak positively about the manager and the support they receive to enable them to care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All staff complete their mandatory training and have access to other training opportunities to support them in meeting the needs of the children. Where gaps in skills are identified, the manager will seek additional training for staff. This has included refresher training for staff in physical intervention techniques.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective monitoring systems in place which enable them to have oversight of the home. The manager analyses the information gathered to identify any patterns or trends and to demonstrate where progress has been made. For example, staff have been successful in reducing the number of incidents for one child as a result of identifying the patterns and triggers in their behaviour. This provides assurances that the child is making progress and that the strategies used by staff are effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses agency staff to cover for staff sickness and vacancies. She is mindful of the impact of this on the children and ensures that regular agency workers are used. The manager is currently recruiting to the vacancies to reduce the reliance on unfamiliar staff. This helps to ensure that there is consistency for the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2726339 5 Staff do not always record information in children’s records in a way that is helpful to the child. The language used is not always child focused and could be stigmatising to a child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2726339 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff record information about individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third- party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2726339 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Action for Children

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road, Watford WD18 8AG

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Inspector

Kerry Chater, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2726339 8 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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