A residential children’s home has been rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, placing it in the top 11 percent of children’s homes in England.

Auton Sunderland, which is owned and managed by the regional charity, St Cuthbert’s Care, provides care and support for up to six children and young people who have often experienced severe physical and emotional challenges in their life.

The home, located in Sunderland, was commended for its innovative work and good practice. 

The inspection report states: "The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good."

Inspectors added: "Children all demonstrate that they have positively progressed since living in the home."

The report goes on to highlight many examples of innovative work and good practice in the home which have contributed to it achieving Ofsted’s top inspection rating; for example:

  • Children’s views are sought in a variety of innovative ways, such as through celebration days and voucher incentives, to ensure that sharing their views does not become a burden. 
  • There is an anti-bullying champion in the home who ensures best practices is up to date and implemented. The home has achieved both local and national recognition for its anti-bullying work.
  • The manager is completing outreach work with the local authority to identify how the changeover to adult services could be improved and made more supportive to children.
  • The ethos (in the home) is that if staff are happy, they can offer better quality, empathic care to children. Staff feel valued as a result and staff turnover is low.

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Director of Care, Amanda Head, said: "This is a well-deserved result for the team that not only acknowledges their hard work and dedication to the children and young people in our care but showcases some of their leading examples of good practice.

"I’m extremely proud of the team. Well done!

"To celebrate this amazing achievement, the young people chose to enjoy a takeaway meal."