Children's Home run by Durham County Council in Durham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2777607 1 Registered provider: Durham County Council 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 local authority. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted on 9 April 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. The inspector spoke to both children.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2777607 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children living in the home make good progress from their starting points. However, one child left the home due to escalating concerns for their safety. The two children currently living in the home have strong and trusting relationships with staff and are thriving.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are welcomed sensitively when they move into the home. Carefully planned moves to the home include children visiting and having overnight stays. They receive a children’s guide that includes essential information to help them understand the routines of the home. This helps them to settle in quickly. One child said they were nervous at first, but spending time with staff made her look forward to moving in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Structured daily routines help children to attend school regularly. The manager’s proactive research of local schools led to the right placement being identified for one child. Furthermore, communication with school staff has been pivotal in settling the child into the new setting. A teaching assistant who works with one of the children said, ‘[Name of child] is much more settled in their routine since moving into the home.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated to a high standard, providing children with a warm and welcoming place to live. Photos of children and their artwork are proudly displayed throughout the home, enriching the quality of the environment. Children’s bedrooms have been decorated to their own style and interests. This helps children to have a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff listen to the children’s views and opinions and act on them. The children’s voice influences how the home looks and feels. They know how to make a complaint and who can help them if they are unhappy. When children do make complaints, the manager follows these through appropriately. Children have access to advocates if they wish to have independent support. This ensures that children feel heard and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have developed new hobbies and interests since moving to the home. Staff encourage them to explore a wide range of new experiences. For example, one child who was described as shy by professionals was supported by staff to take part in a carol concert. These experiences help children to grow in confidence and develop their self- esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to develop a sense of community involvement and social responsibility. For example, staff encouraged children to engage in local activities such as litter picking and coffee mornings. This resulted in children being nominated for a community award.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff respect and embrace the children’s individual identities. They are sensitive to each child’s needs and help them to understand one another’s differences. Inspection report for children’s home: 2777607 3 The manager has completed an extensive piece of work to help one child to understand their complex family history with an organised family tree. This sensitively helps children to develop a positive self-image and sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff gather photos and keepsakes and put them into lovely memory books. When one child moved on from the home, they were not able to take their memory book with them when they left. However, the manager plans to share the book when she can This thoughtful practice enables children to look back on their time living in the home.

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

The children’s trusting relationships with staff give them a sense of security and help them feel safe living at this home. Staff understand the children’s vulnerabilities and identify strategies that help children to better manage their emotions and regulate their behaviours.

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

Staff follow agreed plans and procedures when children go missing from home. They are proactive in their efforts to locate children and identify risks when they are missing, seeking support from the police when needed. When children return home, they are welcomed back and have welfare checks and return home interviews. This ensures that children can share any concerns they may have.

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

When serious incidents occur, they are safely responded to by staff who understand the needs of the children. Detailed incident records support management oversight. Staff and children receive supportive debriefs following all incidents. The manager’s analysis of incidents enables her to identify improvements in practice and develop the team’s approach to care.

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

There has been one physical intervention since the home opened. This was necessary and proportionate to safeguard the child. The manager’s level of scrutiny of this incident and consistent oversight of behavioural incidents promote reflective learning in the team, reducing the need for restraint practice.

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

Bullying incidents do not happen in the home. Children are supported to understand and appreciate differences in each other. One child proudly displays a piece of artwork for the Show Racism the Red Card charity on her bedroom door, demonstrating the open culture staff have developed at this home.

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

Complaints rarely happen. When they do, they are taken seriously by the manager and followed up and recorded well. This helps children to know they are listened to and their concerns can be resolved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is inspirational and leads a culture of high aspiration for children and staff. Staff are guided and encouraged to progress in their roles. This promotes professional Inspection report for children’s home: 2777607 4 development and a staff team that feels empowered and valued. One staff member said, ‘I look forward to coming in. When I’m here I can thrive. I am provided with opportunities to learn, grow and develop.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The highly motivated manager has a thorough understanding of the strengths of the team and areas she wants to develop. She has a well-defined vision for the home, and her enthusiasm is shared by staff. Regular team development days have helped to embed the team’s positivity and continuously promote a culture of high aspiration. As a result, the staff hold the manager in high regard and are clear about what is expected of them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Exceptionally strong leadership ensures that individualised training targets enable staff to undertake their roles and duties to a very high standard. Improvements in the staff induction template have enhanced the quality of support for staff during the induction process, empowering them to have a strong understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The induction plan is to be shared across the organisation’s other homes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s effective monitoring systems ensure that she has a comprehensive oversight of the home. These systems identify areas for improvement and guide the staff to strengthen their practice. This nurtures a strong sense of accountability and has empowered staff to use their own initiative to work as a team to complete tasks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager uses research and resources to give staff knowledge to develop their own practice. This is further strengthened by training and clinical supervision from their consultant psychologist. This means staff have the right trauma-informed training and support to guide their therapeutic approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and team strongly advocate for children and challenge decisions when they fall short of meeting the children’s needs. This has led to professionals reconsidering the need for an education, health and care plan and to a child’s needs being appropriately assessed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s collaborative work with professionals ensures that the children’s needs are met. Professionals say they are always welcome at the home. They speak highly of the manager and often compliment the team and the positive impact they are having on the children’s lives. Inspection report for children’s home: 2777607 5

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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: 2777607 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Durham County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Durham DH1 5UL

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Inspector

Mark Cryer, Social Care Inspector Aaron Mcloughlin, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home: 2777607 7 regulates and inspects 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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