Children's home run by Durham County Council in County Durham

Inspection report for children’s home: SC035247 1 SC035247 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

This short break children’s home is operated by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to seven children who have learning and/or physical disabilities. The home also provides care for children who may require accommodation on a longer term basis.

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Information about this children’s home

35 children are currently having short breaks in the home. Four children were spoken with or observed as part of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 3 February 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC035247 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/02/2025 Full Good 11/03/2024 Full Good 21/02/2023 Full Good 15/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC035247 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children often access the service over long periods. They receive high-quality care by a skilled team of staff who are invested in their well-being. The manager and staff have an excellent knowledge of the children’s needs and build strong connections with them. This helps children to make significant progress because of staying at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff speak about the children in the warmest regard. The manager carefully considers the needs of each child, and which children can stay at the home together, so they get the most from their experience. When children come to stay at the home, staff welcome them warmly and give them the time they need to adjust to being at the home. This promotes a sense of belonging and supports children to develop positive and trusting relationships with those caring for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff provide children with a broad range of activities and opportunities. They are aspirational in helping children overcome barriers to enjoy any activities, including in the community. Children access activities that are in line with their interests, while also exploring new experiences to broaden their horizons. This supports children to make sustained progress in areas such as social communication and fine motor skills. One parent said, ‘[Name of Child] is getting out in the community more. I’m pleased that [Name of Child] is making friends and connecting with others.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have access to excellent facilities in the home. Soft play and sensory rooms are well equipped and offer children opportunities for exploratory play. Some aspects of the home require refurbishment to make them more accessible for children. However, this has not negatively impacted children’s experiences. The manager and senior leaders have been proactive in escalating improvements needed in the building.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff receive specific training in line with children’s communication needs, for example Makaton and picture exchange. This has helped staff to advocate for children’s views and wishes. In addition, the manager ensures that children have access to advocacy services when this is needed. Staff promote inclusivity in the home by educating children about different cultures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff consistently strive to develop trusting and positive relationships with family members. Parents say they feel comfortable asking staff for advice. There is a drive from staff to replicate what is working well at the family’s homes and at this home, to maintain consistency in both settings and sustain children’s progress. Parents say the quality of care given to their children is ‘amazing’. They describe their children being settled and that it is a second home for them. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035247 4

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

Staff have an excellent understanding of the children’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. The manager proactively identifies necessary training and involves health professionals to enhance the knowledge of staff. This means that staff are highly skilled at meeting children’s complex health and care needs, for example where children have specific feeding or medication routines.

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

Staff are skilled at helping children to manage their feelings and responses to challenging circumstances. Clear behaviour support plans help staff to de-escalate situations. Staff work proactively with parents and professionals to understand and effectively address any triggers to unwanted behaviours. There have been no physical holds since the last inspection.

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

The manager has clear oversight of serious incidents. She ensures that debriefs take place with children in line with their needs. Where staff assess that children may not benefit from discussing incidents further, their views are recorded. The manager identifies anything that could be done differently and shares lessons learned with staff. This helps to decrease the likelihood of reoccurrences.

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

The manager promotes a strong safeguarding culture in the home. Staff take appropriate and proportionate steps to report any concerns they have to the right professionals. This helps to ensure that children remain safe and well cared for.

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

Some children who come to stay at the home have been given longer term residential care when concerns outside the home have impacted their living arrangements. The manager and staff are attuned to children’s emotional needs and go above to offer reassurance. This enables those children to be cared for by familiar adults. This also helps to give children additional support and lessen the impact any difficulties have on them.

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

The manager has implemented changes to medication procedures. This has had a positive impact on staff understanding and practice. These improvements mean that children receive medication effectively and safely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by an inspirational and confident manager. She is enthusiastic about improving outcomes for children and is supported by an effective deputy and stable team of staff who share her vision. The manager gives clear direction to staff and is ambitious about what the team can achieve for children. There is a high level of accountability among staff, and the care given to children is consistently nurturing and compassionate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager understands the strengths of the home. She has improved the way the home is run, and this is having a positive impact on staff and children. Staff strongly Inspection report for children’s home: SC035247 5 praise the changes and can confidently relate these to the significant progress that children are making. One staff member said:

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

‘Working here is not just a job, it’s a privilege. Every day, I witness moments of progress, joy and connection that happen when children and young people feel truly safe, seen and supported. This home provides exactly that, a nurturing, stable environment where each child is valued as an individual, not just for who they are today, but for who they can become with the right support.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a positive working culture, and morale is high among team members. Staff say they feel extremely well supported by the management team. The quality of regular supervision sessions has been improved and encourages staff to reflect on and develop the care they give to children. Records provide evidence of a significant improvement in the quality of practice-related supervision, and staff acknowledge that this has benefited their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings occur regularly and give staff opportunities to discuss and shape the way the home is run. Team meeting minutes are thorough and capture the reflective discussions staff have about children’s needs. The manager facilitates the team to explore different safeguarding scenarios so that staff are aware of the home’s procedures. This helps staff be prepared to respond to any concerns they might encounter.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has collaborative working relationships with external professionals. Strong communication between staff and professionals ensures that positives and safeguarding concerns are shared accordingly. Professionals recognise the difference that the manager and staff are making to the children’s lives. Additionally, staff establish connections with navigation workers early to understand and support children as they transition into adulthood. They facilitate these workers getting to know the children during their visits to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were raised following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035247 6

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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: SC035247 7

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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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Inspectors

Mark Cryer, Social Care Inspector Jess Elliott, Social Care Inspector (lead) Inspection report for children’s home: SC035247 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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