Children's Home run by South Tyneside Council in South Tyneside

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032697 1 SC032697 Registered provider: South Tyneside Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is owned and run by a local authority. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

There were four children living at the home at the time of inspection. The inspector spoke to two of the children during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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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: SC032697 2

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Findings from the inspection

This inspection was carried out following concerns notified to Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

Ofsted 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

Children said that they have staff who they can confide in and feel supported by those familiar to them. However, several changes in the staff team have left children being cared for by staff who do not fully understand their needs. Children said that the rules are not consistent and there are aspects that they are not challenged on, such as vaping in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The inexperienced staff team has limited knowledge and skills to meet the children’s individual needs. A lack of experienced workers prevents mentoring support for the newer staff. This has led to incidents escalating, such as several occasions where the police have been called to the home to manage incidents. The manager covers shifts, which takes away important time for her to fulfil aspects of her managerial role, including upskilling the team.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff ensure that each child has a detailed and up-to-date risk assessment. These clearly set out the actions they should take to manage and reduce risks, such as when a child is missing from home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff engage children in discussions about matters they are worried about, such as behaviours or drug use. These discussions occur both in a planned way and sporadically as issues arise. They help children to learn from situations and make informed decisions.

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Findings from the inspection

Records do not always describe the actions that staff take during incidents. It is difficult to ascertain if this is a recording issue or a lack of professional curiosity during incidents, impairing the manager’s oversight of staff practice.

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Findings from the inspection

None of the children consistently attend education. There are education plans for each child; however, they are not yet effective. A limited approach from staff does not effectively promote education. Consistent and supportive routines are not embedded. As a result, children are not receiving sufficient support to reach their academic potential.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and senior leaders understand the areas of improvement needed. They have a plan to address these shortfalls to ensure that children are cared for in a safe and consistent manner. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032697 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/05/2024 Full Good 30/05/2023 Full Good 03/01/2023 Full Good 09/12/2021 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032697 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) 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(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; and

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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)(c)(d)(e)(f)(h)) 4 February 2025

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that staff— 4 February 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032697 5 help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible; and

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(viii)(x))

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s home 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. If a child makes a choice that would place them or another person at significant risk of harm, staff should assist them to understand the risks and manage their risk-taking behaviour to keep themselves and others safe. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.7) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032697 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: South Tyneside Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: South Tyneside Council, Town Hall, Westoe Road, South Shields NE33 2RL

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Inspector

Jess Elliott, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032697 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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