Children's home run by Durham County Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2802997 1 Registered provider: Durham County Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2024 and is owned and managed by a local authority. 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

One child was living in the home at the time of this inspection. One child has moved out of the home since the home registered.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered at the home in August 2024.

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2802997 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

n/a n/a n/a Inspection report for children’s home: 2802997 3

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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 child currently living in the home has lived in the home for a short period of time but is positive about their care. Professionals recognise the good progress the child has made since moving to the home. One professional said, ‘He is safe, and has settled in well.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise getting to know children and develop trusting relationships. This helps children to feel comfortable and develop a sense of belonging. They encourage the children to discover and pursue their hobbies and interests, widening their experiences and developing their social skills. The child says they like staff and enjoy spending time with them, such as going to football practice. They attend regular clubs with other children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff collaborate with several professionals to gain a stronger understanding of children’s needs. One child received a learning need diagnosis, because staff advocated to have his needs assessed. As a result, staff were able to adapt their approach to communication, to be more aligned to the child’s needs, promoting more reciprocal communication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well maintained and the environment is homely. There is ample space for children to live and relax. One child said, ‘The home is huge, I like the games room and my bedroom.’ Children personalise their bedrooms. When they make requests for changes to their bedroom, staff respond quickly. This fosters a sense of comfort and security.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Plans for children moving in and out of the home are individualised. Children visit the home and staff take them on activities to start to build relationships. They communicate with the children about the steps they take during the transition. One child’s school attended a staff meeting to help develop the team’s understanding of the child’s needs. Appropriate decisions were made for one child to move out of the home due to concerns for their safety. Staff have ensured that the child has a strong support system that enables them to remain in contact with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health is prioritised. During a difficult time for one child, staff constantly considered his emotional well-being. This showed the child that staff really cared for them, while trying to minimise the impact that poor mental health can have. Staff encourage children to work with health experts. They help children to develop better skills to improve things like personal hygiene. One child said staff help him with brushing his teeth better. The child’s sleep has improved since he moved to the home. He uses a worry monster at bedtime to help him feel safer at night.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The views and wishes of children are promoted. Children have access to a regular advocate. For one child, this was especially important to him. Staff supported this child Inspection report for children’s home: 2802997 4 to speak up when he did not feel a professional was delivering on their expected duty. This resulted in a change of professional for that child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family members speak highly of the staff and the support their children receive. One child’s father was able to visit the home whenever he liked, to help maintain their relationship. Children are helped to understand who their family are when connections may have been lost.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported with their learning. One child’s behaviour has improved in school since he moved to the home, and they are no longer at risk of being excluded. Staff escalated concerns for one child’s lack of access to education, leading to change to the education package that better suited the child’s needs.

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

Children feel safe living in the home. The child that moved on from the home said ‘[Name of home] was the only place I felt safe and happy.’ Safety planning for children is prioritised. Staff reflect after unsafe incidents and alter risk management strategies when needed. They dynamically worked with one child’s father to try and help reduce the child’s risks.

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

Missing-from-home incidents are well managed. Staff work together to ensure that children are supported to return home safely. On one occasion when a child was missing overnight, staff looked for the child all night, demonstrating their commitment to keeping children safe.

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

There has been a period of challenge for one child. This has resulted in the staff needing to use physical intervention to keep the child and others safe. The child was offered the opportunity to have discussions with someone independent of the home following these incidents. Reflective conversations and further training occurs to try and reduce the use of restraint.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted. Children have access to incentives to encourage this. One child is rewarded with special coins for having good days at home and school. Consequences are rare but are restorative and effective when used. Staff help children understand why these are used and help them reflect on how to manage their behaviour better. One child received a specialist assessment to try and understand the function of his behaviour.

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

Staff help children to understand the worries they have for them. Staff have discussions with children about things such as exploitation, drugs and alcohol. Children have access to various professionals to try and help children to be safer. For one child who was at risk of exploitation, professionals said, ‘Staff did everything they could to keep him safe.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2802997 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is child centred and exceptionally dedicated to her role. Her approach is underpinned by learning and development in line with research-informed practice. She leads by example and is a presence in the home, being actively involved in the delivery of care to the children. Professionals said, ‘[Name of manager] goes above and beyond and will escalate her concerns when needed.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager promotes a culture of open reflection. Staff have the opportunity every day to have an end of day debrief. This allows them to recognise good practice and identify any areas of required improvement. The manager sets high standards and provides challenge when staff practice falls short of the expectations set. Her use of reflective practice is driving forward staff development and the quality of care children experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s quality assurance systems ensure that she has a comprehensive oversight of the home and staff practice. Her evaluation of incidents and events is present on all the children’s records. She has an exceedingly strong understanding of the children’s needs, behaviours and scrutiny of the effectiveness of staff responses. The manager’s professional curiosity enables her to ask deeply explorative questions to support staff to understand situations better.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff welfare is significantly important to the manager. They have regular debriefs and impromptu discussions with managers to ensure that help and support are responsive to their needs. Staff have received well-being support packages during difficult times. This has led to staff morale improving and a supportive culture. One staff member said, ‘[Name of manager] is always open to helping me.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The team is experienced and skilled. Staff turnover is low. When additional staffing is required, the manager makes sure that temporary staff get the same training and development as the permanent team. The manager is fully aware of the team’s strengths and areas for development. She strives to continuously strengthen staff’s practice and broaden their knowledge through individualised development plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff practice-related supervision is regular and reflective. It involves discussions about the children’s needs and how care should be delivered. Supervision is also used to address performance issues. Staff are empowered to express how they feel and discuss their well-being, helping them to feel well supported and cared for. Furthermore, staff’s access to clinical supervision enhances the quality of support available to them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager ensured that she exhausted every avenue possible before a difficult decision was made for a child to move on from the home. Her collaborative working relationships with the relevant professionals ensured that decisions were thoughtfully considered with patience and understanding of the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There have been several developments to processes and case records. Records are child friendly and contain photographs. Team meetings are used to discuss such developments and include advice from experts. The manager is constantly offering the staff solutions Inspection report for children’s home: 2802997 6 to maintain the use of child friendly language and in records. This will help children look back on their time living at the home should they want access to their records in adulthood. Inspection report for children’s home: 2802997 7

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2802997 8

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Children’s home details

Registered Provider: Durham County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fostering & Adoption Team, Spectrum 8, Spectrum Business Park, Seaham SR7 7TT

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Inspector

Laura Roberts, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2802997 9 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted Inspection report for children’s home: 2802997 10

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