Children's Home run by Dove Adolescent Services Limited in Wakefield

Unique reference number SC060811 Inspector Jacqueline Malcolm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Dove Adolescent Services Limited Registered person address 170 Southgate Pontefract West Yorkshire WF8 1QJ Responsible individual Barbara Anne Whittaker Registered manager Kirsten Louise Campbell Date of last inspection 29/10/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 03/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

At the previous inspection one requirement and one good practice recommendation were made. These have both been satisfactorily met. This means that sanction records now include the location of the incident. This ensures a clear account of events and the measures taken when young people’s behaviours are challenging. Further improvements made, ensure that staff sign young people’s risk assessments to confirm they have read and understood them. This ensures they know how to consistently apply risk management strategies. This inspection raised no further requirements and recommendations.

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This inspection

The well-organised, planned admission of young people enables staff to familiarise themselves with the young people’s needs prior to them moving into the home. This includes staff researching disorders that are unique and distinctive to young people and ensure compatible matches with the existing young people. This allows staff to feel sufficiently well-informed and confident that they can meet all of the young people’s complex needs. However, some local authority placement documentation provided has raised concerns. This relates to the accuracy of information received by the home that is not fully represented in reality, and has placed young people in unsuitable environments. This is evident in a recent admission and subsequent discharge of a young person due to their declining outcomes. This has been irrespective of the home’s high quality care planning, and practices that were implemented to improve their life chances. Ofsted has taken this matter up with the

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placing authority to ensure that young people’s holistic needs are met in an appropriate setting.

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This inspection

Notwithstanding deficiencies in local authority care plans, young people are provided with a stable home life. Transparent rules and boundaries in place support good parenting, promote safe care practices and values young people. Young people’s 3 of 6 positive relationships with staff have developed over time and staff have gained their trust, which helps them to progress steadily. This is demonstrated by those young people who will now approach staff and talk to them about sensitive issues. Young people who have recently moved on from the home are very receptive to the ongoing support and attention that staff give them. The meaningful attachments formed help young people to trust the staff and feel cared about. Young people’s challenging behaviours are supported by behaviour management plans. They are responsive to staff talking to them about their negative behaviours and using rewards and incentives to promote socially acceptable behaviour. This has resulted

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This inspection

in some young people acknowledging that their behaviour has been poor and they have subsequently apologised to staff. No young people are involved in criminal activity. Restraint or physical intervention is very rarely used. This is becoming less likely as young people self-regulate their outbursts and are involved in fewer serious incidents. Families have a positive influence on their children during difficult times. Young people’s regular contact with their families sustains their attachments and reinforces their sense of identity. Young people’s contact with friends is actively promoted and provides them with opportunities to enjoy social interactions with their peers.

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This inspection

Young people’s communication needs are very well known and respected by staff. This enables their wishes and feelings to be fully understood and acted on. For example, the use of verbal communication, body language and creative use of word cards. This enables young people irrespective of their presenting challenges to be involved in their daily plans and the running of the home.

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Young people are protected by staff who have a very good understanding of their diverse and significant vulnerabilities. The staff are tenacious in following the protective strategies that safeguard young people and these are suitably underpinned by robust risk assessments. Staff safeguarding training and their vigilance over young people promotes their safety and welfare. Young people are not suspected to be at risk of child sexual exploitation. They are protected by proactive staff responses, and communication with the police and other agencies. This ensures effective practice in working together that prioritises young people’s paramount needs. Although there have been few unauthorised absences, staff have known where young people are located and have taken the appropriate steps to secure their welfare. Missing from care events are not a current feature at this home. Young people are advised and supported to make safer choices in order to

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This inspection

reduce some of their risky behaviours when they are not in the home.

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This inspection

Young people who have a history of non-compliance with health services continue to receive tireless staff support to help them to improve their health outcomes. Those young people who require children and adolescent mental health services have not received a prompt service. This has resulted in some delays in addressing their emotional and psychological well-being. Young people’s educational needs are promoted to ensure they get the most out of their education placements. This has not been without challenge because young people’s engagement in their education 4 of 6 fluctuates. Staff are in regular communication with education providers to ensure that those young people who are struggling with their attendance or disengage from education are able to resume their learning. For some young people, the desired effect is yet to be realised. Young people’s leisure activities are tailored to suit their interests and provide them with opportunities to enjoy themselves and increase their

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Older young people have acquired a range of skills that will help them when they move out of the home. They have the capacity to travel independently, budget, shop, prepare meals and snacks and tidy their rooms. However, some young people have shown some signs of regression in complying with their independence plans, which has led to a review of their plans in negotiation with them. This allows young people opportunities to see the benefits of taking responsibility for their actions and become sufficiently self-motivated to improve their future outcomes.

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Young people are afforded exceptionally good quality of care that spurs them on to achieve the best possible outcomes. Efficient management oversight is robust and child-centred. It has withstood the challenges of a recent unsuitable placement and staff say that is has brought the team closer together. This strong culture is cascaded throughout the staff team and staff demonstrate an excellent commitment to young people, as shown in their care practices. The staff team work closely together to deliver support to young people that promotes aspirational standards. This is testament to the staff team’s strong resilience and steadfast motivation to make a difference to young people’s lives. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Young people are admitted on a planned or emergency basis.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/10/2014 Full good 18/03/2014 Interim good progress 18/07/2013 Full outstanding 10/10/2012 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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.

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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.

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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.

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