Children's Home run by Kirklees Council in Kirklees

Unique reference number SC033326 Inspector Stella Henderson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person Kirklees Council Registered person address Kirklees Council 30 Market Street HUDDERSFIELD HD1 2HG Responsible individual Paul Johnson Registered manager Martin Douglas Steele Date of last inspection 24/07/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 16/01/2015

p.1

Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

This inspection

The Registered Manager continues to demonstrate a commitment towards achieving improved outcomes for young people. He ensures that staff maintain good standards of care to young people. Monitoring and consultation remain effective in highlighting areas for improvement. For example, staff are reviewing how they share some of the basic information about living at the home, after learning from young people that there were areas they were unsure about.

p.2

This inspection

Young people remain safe at the home. There are no concerns about exploitation. Safeguarding continues to be balanced well against young people's desire and rights for increasing independence. None of the young people at the home are engaged in offending behaviour.

p.2

This inspection

Education continues to be strongly promoted at the home but there is a mixed picture in relation to educational outcomes. This is because there has been some disengagement by some young people and school attendance has fluctuated in some cases.

p.2

This inspection

A new virtual head is pro-active in addressing low attendance and the home is working closely with attendance support officers. Since the start of the new term young people have shown more commitment to attending school.

p.2

This inspection

Other young people take full advantage of educational opportunities and are making good progress. All young people maintain regular contact with family and friends and take part in activities to enjoy and achieve. They are involved in a range of pursuits such as playing rugby and fell walking, as well as raising money for charities through fun-runs.

p.2

This inspection

Staff are currently undertaking a therapeutic parenting training course. Although it is 3 of 5 too soon to judge the full impact of this, some differences are apparent. Staff are spending more time with young people. This is having a positive impact on behaviour and there has been a significant drop in police visits to the home.

p.2

This inspection

A requirement set at the last inspection to amend the independent visitor's report has been met. Two recommendations are set following this inspection. New members of staff are not fully conversant with the home's behaviour management policy. This may lead to the imposition of sanctions that are not permissible.

p.3

This inspection

The location assessment is work in progress and currently lacks evidence of consultation with other agencies. Completing this in a timely manner will ensure the manager and staff are fully aware of any risks to young people. 4 of 5

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for six young people who experience behavioural and emotional difficulties.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/07/2014 Full good 04/02/2014 Interim inadequate progress 02/07/2013 Full adequate 27/11/2012 Interim inadequate progress

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure all staff understand and apply the written policy on behaviour management (NMS 3.3)  ensure the home's location promotes children's health, safety and well- being and avoids factors that present significant risks to children. This is with specific reference to the area location risk assessment. (NMS 10.2) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.4

Recommendations

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.

p.5

What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

p.5

Information 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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

p.5

Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

p.5