Children's Home run by Newcastle City Council in Newcastle upon Tyne

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2822617 1 Registered provider: Newcastle City Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 4 children were living at the home. All children were spoken with during the inspection.

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Inspection date: 25 August 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 25 August 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: 2822617 2

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Findings from the inspection

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

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or out of the home. Children develop trusting relationships with staff. When children become frustrated or upset, staff use their relationships to support children to recover. The number of incidents has reduced, and this contributes to a calmer environment for all children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are alert to concerns of children spending long periods in their bedrooms. They provide consistent guidance to encourage children to engage and participate in daily life, which is having some success. This has helped one child to attend activities, develop independence skills, contribute to their plans and engage with professionals.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have developed positive working relationships with professionals and families. Effective communication and information-sharing helps to ensure that children receive consistent support and responses. This has helped one child to safely enjoy overnight time with their family.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are provided with a range of activities for fun and social development. Children contribute to their local community by taking part in charity events to raise money. Children choose the charity they wish to donate to. This helps children to develop their own personal values and pro-social behaviours.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff responses when children are missing from home are not consistent. There is a reliance on calling the police to locate children whose whereabouts are unknown. On a couple of occasions, staff did not follow a child’s plan and made no efforts to contact or look for the child for several hours, despite concern about the child’s safety and wellbeing. This does not keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff do not always use the recording system to accurately reflect significant incidents. On one occasion, staff did not complete a record of an incident between 2 children, limiting management oversight. As a result, the manager could not be reassured that staff took appropriate actions to keep children safe. This does not help staff learn from practice and ensure that children receive consistent responses.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager takes appropriate action when concerns are raised about staff conduct. Leaders and managers complete investigations and identify learning opportunities. Additionally, allegations are taken seriously and safeguarding procedures are followed. This includes consulting the local authority designated officer. However, an allegation was not reported to Ofsted, preventing the regulator from having oversight of the actions taken to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s bedrooms are individualised and reflect their personalities and interests. Children are encouraged to tidy their bedrooms. However, one child’s bedroom Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2822617 3 requires more regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure that it is a welcoming space for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have made changes to the supervision record template to promote the completion of practice-related supervision sessions. However, this process is not yet fully embedded, and some staff have not received supervision regularly.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager does not have consistent oversight of children’s written records. Some records include language that is not child centred or caring. This is not helpful to children should they choose to read their records now or in the future.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have reflected on the shortfalls raised and have plans to address them. From this inspection, 2 requirements and 3 recommendations have been restated, and one new recommendation issued. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2822617 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/06/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/02/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2822617 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; and

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 September

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 September Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2822617 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment for children. In particular, ensure all children’s bedrooms are well maintained and clean. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff receive regular supervision of their practice which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  The registered person should ensure that staff record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.12) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2822617 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Newcastle City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 8QH

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Elizabeth Spaven

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Inspector

Cat Makel, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2822617 8 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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