Children's Home run by Pear Tree Projects Limited in Durham

Inspection report for children’s home: SC007608 1 SC007608 Registered provider: Pear Tree Projects Limited

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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 is owned and run by a private provider. 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

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home. The inspectors spoke with both children during the inspection.

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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 good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 10 September 2024

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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: SC007608 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/09/2024 Full Good 04/10/2023 Full Good 31/10/2022 Full Good 01/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC007608 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop positive relationships with staff, who have a good knowledge of the children’s individual personalities and needs. Staff offer children nurture and comfort while maintaining structured routines and boundaries. As a result, children make progress living at this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of family time for children. They ensure that children spend positive time with those most important to them. Staff’s relationships and open lines of communication with family members keep them informed about the children’s progress and experiences, additionally helping the children’s relationships when needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is highly valued by staff in the home. Children have excellent attendance at school, and communication between staff and school contributes to supporting these outcomes. This means children experience consistent support both at home and school and make good progress as a result.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to complete independence tasks appropriate to their age. They develop the necessary skills to help them prepare for adulthood and develop their resilience to cope with what life will be like beyond living at this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to explore a wide range of activities and interests, stay healthy, make new friends and develop new hobbies. Children are supported to develop links to the community by being involved in local groups, such as the Guides and Nature Rangers. This helps to build the children’s confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say they feel listened to by staff. Staff hold children’s meetings regularly and help children to share their views, wishes and feelings. Children’s wishes are acted on by staff, and children can see the results of sharing their views. As a result, children learn that their voice is important.

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

Staff have a good understanding of children’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. They respond effectively when concerns arise and involve the right professionals to help keep children safe. Clearly written risk assessments give staff the right guidance they need to safeguard the children.

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

When bullying incidents occur, staff help children to understand the impact their behaviour has on others. The two children in the home have experienced challenges in their relationship. The staff’s work to develop the children’s tolerance and understanding of one another has helped the children’s relationship to strengthen. Inspection report for children’s home: SC007608 4 The manager follows safeguarding procedures when concerns are raised about staff’s practice. She involves the right professionals, and records clearly describe the actions taken. Action is taken to listen to children and work things through with staff. This helps children to know they are listened to, and their concerns are taken seriously.

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

Physical intervention is appropriately used to keep children safe. Staff are trained to do this safely and use holds only as a last resort. After an intervention occurs, children and staff are debriefed, and learning is taken from discussing the incident. Risk assessments and strategies are reviewed to ensure that staff remain responsive to any emerging concerns in behaviour.

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

The manager has made improvements to the way staff give consequences for unwanted behaviour, ensuring that positive behaviour is equally recognised. When consequences are given, children are supported to understand the impact of their behaviour and helped where possible with restorative approaches. Where financial consequences are used, children are given the option to pay these early by helping around the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear understanding of the strengths of the team and leads the staff effectively to keep children safe and be happy. She is supported by a stable and dedicated team of staff who share her enthusiasm for improving outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular practice-related supervision. These sessions give opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice and how this impacts the children in the home. Staff say they feel supported by the manager and appreciate the opportunities supervision gives them to discuss important issues. One staff member said, ‘I love being here. It feels like being at home, not work.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are well attended. They give staff the opportunity to discuss and reflect as a group about the progress the children are making. Staff contribute to the team meetings, and the meetings help them agree on a consistent approach to the care they give to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager monitors staff’s training needs and when refresher training is due to be completed, ensuring that staff’s learning and development are maintained. The manager arranges specific training to help staff meet the individual needs of children. This means that staff have access to the right resources to inform their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses effective systems to help her maintain a good overview of the service. These systems give her information that allows her to evaluate the progress of children and staff in the home and take action when areas of improvement are needed. Inspection report for children’s home: SC007608 5

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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: SC007608 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pear Tree Projects Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Peartree House, Bolam, Darlington, County Durham DL2 2UP

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Inspectors

Mark Cryer, Social Care Inspector Dawn McCluskey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC007608 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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