Children's Home run by Ar Curam Limited in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for children’s home: 2673776 1 Registered provider: Ar Curam Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider. It provides short- and long-term 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 May 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 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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2673776 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/06/2024 Full Good 22/05/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2673776 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm, welcoming and maintained to a high standard. It has ample space for the children to spend time together or apart. There are photos of the children throughout the home, and the children’s bedrooms are decorated to their individual preferences. This provides children with a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say that they are happy living in the home and have trusted adults that they can talk to. Staff regularly complete key-working sessions with children about things that are important in their lives. This has helped children to share their worries and experiences with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager carefully considers all new children who may come to live in the home to ensure that their needs can be met. Children visit the home and get to know the staff and the other children before they move in. When children move out of the home, they are supported throughout the move to help prepare them. Feedback from one social worker was that staff went over and above expectations to support one child, and they continue to be available for them since they have moved out.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health and well-being are a priority for staff. The children are registered with local dentists, doctors and opticians, and staff refer children to specialist external services when additional support is needed. When children struggle to attend appointments, staff are relentless in encouraging them and educating them about the importance of health. This supports children to attend more health appointments and learn the importance of meeting their own health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are proactive in supporting children with their education. Not all children are attending full-time education. However, staff understand the reasons for this and work well with professionals to help children to make progress. Feedback from educational professionals is positive about how staff work with schools. This has helped improve attendance for one child who struggles with school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop skills appropriate to their age and development that will help them in adulthood. One child has made progress with using the bus independently. A social worker said that the staff have supported another child to develop the skills to successfully move into supported accommodation and maintain a job.

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

Risk assessments help staff understand each child’s individual risks and respond appropriately. Assessments are kept up to date and have clear guidance for staff to follow, including signs that a child may be at risk. This helps staff to intervene effectively when a child is at risk of harm. Inspection report for children’s home: 2673776 4 Children say that they think the rules of the home are fair and they understand why they are in place. Positive behaviour is consistently promoted, and staff use effective de- escalation techniques aligned with each child’s individual needs. When consequences are used, they are proportionate and reviewed by management effectively. This provides the children with a chance to reflect on their actions and learn from them.

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

Staff work with children to educate them about risk so that they are able to make safer choices. Effective communication with multi-agency partners contributes to ensuring timely support around risks is in place for children. This proactive approach has been successful in reducing children’s risks related to substance misuse and self-harm.

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

There is a robust recruitment process in place to make sure that staff are appropriately vetted before working in the home. Staff are then supported with an induction into the home, and they shadow experienced staff to get to know the children and their routines before working independently.

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

Incidents of restraint are clearly recorded, and children have the opportunity to reflect and speak to an independent person following an incident. Management oversight is evident and has been effective in addressing issues. However, not all staff involved in restraining children have completed training to teach them how to do this safely. This increases the risk of children being harmed at times when they are angry or upset.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a strong and effective team of leaders who are aspirational for the children that they care for. Feedback from professionals and families has been overwhelmingly positive about the support that children receive and the consistent care provided by staff. This contributes to improving outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff have developed excellent working relationships with multi-agency professionals. One social worker said, ‘The communication is excellent.’ Another social worker said, ‘Staff are skilled and work as a part of the care team. They challenge appropriately and advocate on behalf of the child.’ This shows that children are at the centre of practice in the home and that staff are committed to progressing the children’s individual plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have comprehensive monitoring systems to ensure that there is effective oversight of the progress of children and practice in the home. The manager uses his systems to identify patterns of behaviour and examines these in the context of children’s past experiences. This helps the manager and staff to understand the children better and put in place the support required to meet their needs consistently.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel supported by the management team. Supervision sessions are held regularly and offer staff an opportunity to reflect on and learn from practice. The management team is proactive in addressing any issues or concerns and appropriately challenges poor Inspection report for children’s home: 2673776 5 practice. This helps the staff to learn and build on their skills and knowledge. Staff enjoy working in the home and value their colleagues. One member of staff said that the team is fantastic and has the best interests of children at heart.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings and development days are opportunities for the manager to promote learning and share important information. They provide the staff team with an opportunity for group reflection on the needs of children and how they can be safeguarded effectively. It is also a forum in which the manager can share lessons learned from incidents or instances where there have been shortfalls in practice. These open discussions embed a learning culture in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2673776 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff have been adequately trained in the principles of restraint and any restraint techniques appropriate to the needs of the children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 49, paragraph 9.57)

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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: 2673776 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, Richard House, Sorbonne Close, Thornaby, Stockton-On-Tees TS17 6DA

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Inspector

Natalie Clark, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2673776 8 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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