Children's Home run by Acedia Care Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for children’s home: 2796314 1 Registered provider: Acedia Care Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or may have learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since October 2024. The interim manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 26 November 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2796314 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/11/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2796314 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is developing trusting relationships with staff. Staff invest their time in getting to know the child and understand them. Staff are empathetic and sensitive to the child’s needs, and there is a warm and natural interaction between them.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported by staff with their learning. The child has not yet been provided with a suitable education placement by the local authority. The manager has followed the escalation process to challenge this, and staff work with other professionals to pursue this. In the meantime, staff work with the child to develop a structured daily plan to maximise the child’s informal learning.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is in good health. Staff help the child to access their health appointments and to make healthy food and lifestyle choices. The child leads an active life, with a wide range of exercise activities and a balanced diet.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff advocate for the child and support them to voice their views. This is seen by partner professionals as a particular strength. Staff also ensure that the child has regular access to an independent advocate. This helps the child to feel listened to and ensures that they are able to actively contribute to how their care is delivered.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to participate in a range of activities, including climbing, swimming, gardening and playing chess. This provides the child with opportunities to explore their talents and interests and feel a sense of achievement.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated to a high standard. When damage occurs, it is quickly repaired to restore the homely feel. The child has a personalised bedroom and an additional room that is a designated area for gaming. Staff have also provided sensory lighting in the child’s bedroom and a blackout tent for the child to use. This is in line with the child’s additional needs.

p.3

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

Children’s plans and risk assessments are regularly updated to provide current guidance for staff. Staff understand the child’s vulnerabilities and have worked effectively with partner professionals to manage risk of harm. Staff know the child well, and this helps them to keep the child safer.

p.3

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

Staff know what to do when children are missing from home. Staff engage with appropriate professionals to develop their understanding of missing-from-home procedures and practice. Staff work at maintaining a positive relationship with each child, and this means that the child chooses to spend time at home. Consequently, the previously high risk of the child being missing from home has reduced significantly. Inspection report for children’s home: 2796314 4 The child is only held when it is necessary to protect them and others from harm. Holds are appropriate, proportionate and well recorded. The frequency and duration of holds have significantly reduced since the child moved into the home.

p.3

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

Staff help the child to manage their difficult emotions. Staff have put in place firm boundaries to provide the child with a consistent response from all staff. Staff work with the child to help them to develop strategies and learn appropriate responses to these emotions. Staff role model appropriate responses in the home to help the child learn socially acceptable behaviour.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is enthusiastic and dedicated to ensuring that children receive good care. The manager has established a respectful and supportive team culture. She leads by example and sets out her expectations for staff clearly. Staff are happy in their workplace and feel valued and well supported.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have worked creatively to support staff to obtain the required qualification. A new training provider ensures that staff work efficiently and effectively through their qualification, without compromising on the quality of their learning. As a result, most staff are forecast to complete their qualification within six months.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight of practice in the home. Effective monitoring and review systems help her to evaluate information and identify the home’s strengths and areas for development. This allows her to make plans to address any shortfalls. For example, the manager sources bespoke training to ensure that staff continue to improve practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have established good working relationships with multi- agency partners. The manager challenges and escalates their concerns when plans are not progressing and holds others to account without impacting on those relationships. This helps to ensure that children make progress and ensures that their views and wishes are respected.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and appraisal of their practice. This provides them with an opportunity to reflect on the impact they have on the progress and experiences of children. When practice falls short of the expected standard, the manager addresses this in supervision to ensure it does not continue. Staff are also able to reflect on their practice as a group in team meetings. This allows them to identify where there can be improvements and contribute to the development of children’s plans. Inspection report for children’s home: 2796314 5

p.4

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: 2796314 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Maling Court, Union Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1BP

p.6

Inspector

Lisa Gordon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2796314 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7