Children's Home run by Wakefield Metropolitan District Council in Wakefield

Unique reference number SC066796 Inspection date 08/03/2011 Inspector David Martin Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 24/11/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children’s Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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About this inspection

This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

This children's home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people between the ages of 12 and 17 on a medium to long-term basis. The home is purpose built, with the ground floor of the home comprising two offices, games and study room, lounge and kitchen. On the first floor there are young people's en-suite bedrooms. An enclosed garden surrounds the home and there is a secure car park to the front of the home.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This unannounced random inspection was carried out to assess the home's performance in meeting the national minimum standards in the staying safe outcome.

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Summary

The home continues to actively promote the safety and well being of young people. The staff are aware of their responsibilities to report safeguarding issues and to promote an anti-bullying environment. Their training has given them a wide range of skills and techniques to encourage socially acceptable behaviour. The premises are free from hazards and the vetting of staff remains robust.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are strong arrangement in place to ensure that the privacy of young people is respected. The building is designed to enhance the privacy of young people. Bedrooms provide en-suite bathrooms and young people have their own keys. All records are held securely and staff have a good understanding of issues of confidentiality. This ensures that information about young people is kept safely. There have been no complaints since the last inspection. The young people are provided with a wide range of information concerning external organisations with whom they can raise their concerns. This ensures that they can share their worries and concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has strong arrangements in place to ensure that any safeguarding issues are reported promptly. Staff have an excellent understanding of child protection and are aware that information may have to be shared with other appropriate agencies. They have access to the child protection procedures in both hard copy and via links to the local safeguarding board. The safeguarding measures in place protect young people from harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has taken steps to ensure that its anti-bullying message is actively promoted with the young people. There is a wide range of material available to both the young people and the staff. All staff have completed an anti-bullying workbook. The procedures have been used effectively to deal with serious concerns about bullying that have occurred recently. In this case, other agencies have been involved as appropriate. The home's approach to incidents of bullying ensures the protection of young people in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The use of sanctions is limited and there have been no incidents requiring the use of physical intervention since 2009. Staff have completed training that provides them with a range of skills to manage anti-social behaviour in non-confrontational ways. Positive behaviour is promoted through high levels of engagement with the young people and the provision of a wide range of activities and learning opportunities. Socially acceptable behaviour is strongly promoted through this approach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are safely maintained. There is a range of comprehensive risk assessments for both the safety of the premises and activities undertaken with the young people. The staff have been thoroughly vetted prior to employment in the home and ongoing checks are carried out at the required intervals. These steps contribute to the overall safety of the young people.

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