Kyloe House

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC035409 1 Kyloe House

p.1

Registered provider: Northumberland County Council

p.1

Provider address: Netherton Park Children's Home, Stannington, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 6DE

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this secure children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority and is approved by the Secretary of State to restrict children’s liberty.

p.1

Information about this secure children’s home

The home provides care for up to 15 children aged between 10 and 17 years under Section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who are placed by local authorities.

p.1

Information about this secure children’s home

There were 10 children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

p.1

Information about this secure children’s home

The admission of any child under Section 25 of the Children Act 1989 who is under 13 years of age requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

p.1

Information about this secure children’s home

The commissioning of health services in this home is the statutory responsibility of NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Education is provided on site in dedicated facilities.

p.1

Information about this secure children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 30 January 2012.

p.1

Inspection date: 13 May 2025

Date of last inspection: 24 September 2024

p.1

Inspection date: 13 May 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035409 2

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

p.2

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: SC035409 3

p.2

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Children have positive relationships with staff who understand them well and support them to make progress in numerous ways. Staff spend meaningful time with children and are persistently supportive, particularly where children may be finding it hard to settle in or manage their emotions. Staff also respond sensitively to any tensions that arise between children. This helps to create a harmonious atmosphere and enables children to feel increasingly at ease living in the home.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

There is a strong multidisciplinary approach to understanding and reducing risks that affect children. Strategies are imaginative and effectively address the perceived underlying functions of children’s behaviour. These strategies are well communicated to staff so that they have clear guidance to follow, which enables them to provide safe care to meet the needs of the children.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff take children’s health and well-being seriously. Leaders have strengthened relationships with emergency services and local hospitals to ensure that children’s needs, such as self-harming behaviours and severe allergies, are understood and so that children receive consistent care. Staff receive specific training to help them understand and support the children’s evolving needs. They use this training to work directly with children, helping them to develop the knowledge and skills they need to manage their own health and well-being more effectively.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

When children need to be physically held for reasons of safety, good oversight from managers ensures that the use of any measure is proportionate and necessary. Discussions with both staff and children after such an event determine the next steps and offer children the opportunity to reflect and provide feedback. Adjustments are made to practice based on this acquired knowledge, which have led to more individualised, child-centred approaches.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Managers respond effectively to safeguarding matters and liaise with partners, including the local authority designated officer, as required. Thorough investigations are carried out, which inform the steps taken to reduce the risk of future harm.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff say that they feel well supported and enjoy working in the home. Staff receive timely and reflective supervision that focuses on children’s experiences. These discussions help staff to develop and shape their practice.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The registered manager is responsive to feedback and acts on guidance and learning to generate improvements in the home. Leaders have begun to address the requirement made at the last monitoring visit by initiating conversations with the independent visitors to ensure that the reports have effective evaluation regarding the quality of care that children receive. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035409 4 The recommendation made at the last full inspection relating to education was not reviewed during this visit. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035409 5

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/09/2024 Full Good 28/11/2023 Full Good 01/11/2022 Full Outstanding 01/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035409 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

p.6

Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the independent visitors’ reports include an evaluation of their assessment of the safety and well-being of children, as well as the suitability of practice in the home. 31 August 2025

p.6

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children’s progress in education can be measured and evidenced in various ways, including, but not limited to, success in academic, vocational and other awards and qualifications. Leaders should ensure that they monitor the impact that improvement actions have on the quality of children’s education in addition to monitoring compliance with processes. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.2) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035409 7

p.6

Secure children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Secure Children’s Home

p.7

Secure children’s home details

Registered provider: Northumberland County Council

p.7

Secure children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 2EF

p.7

Inspectors

Tash Williams, Social Care Inspector (Lead) Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC035409 8 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.

p.7

Inspectors

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 .

p.8

Inspectors

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.8

Inspectors

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

p.8

Inspectors

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

p.8