Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)
Children's Home run by Harmony Children’s Services in Kirklees
Summary
What we read, and from where
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- Inspection datesingle source
24 Aug 2015
- Inspectors verified
Jamie Richardson
- Helped and protected verified
Requires improvement
- Overall effectivenesssingle source
Requires improvement to be good
- Postcode verified
LS1 2RX
- URN verified
SC461450
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2015.
- OverallRI to be good
- Helped and protectedRequires improvement
13% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Requires improvement to be good (12,870 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Requires improvement to be good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. p.9
- However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted. p.2
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being p.9
- harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted. p.9
- They know what action to take should any young person disclose risk of harm. p.7
- In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. p.9
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- Before implementing, or making an amendment which the registered person considers to be substantive to, the missing child policy, the registered person must have regard to any relevant local authority or police protocols on missing children (Regulation 34 (5) (b)) specifically in relation to having up to date missing risk assessments, including update date information on young people. p.4
- Details of where their current risks and favoured places and friends would be if they went missing. 25/09/2015 p.4
- The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice related supervision by a person with appropriate experience (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 25/09/2015 p.4
- Children should be supported to express themselves as individuals and should be given an appropriate degree of freedom and choice in relation to day to day arrangements for their care (The Guide to the Quality Standards Page 17 Paragraph 3.21) specifically in relation to young people being supported to express themselves as individuals, in relation to the homes decor in communal areas. p.4
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Leadership & governance12
“Management monitoring and oversight has improved.” p.3
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 11
- Words of findings
- 1,414
- shorter than usual (typical 1916)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 47, typical 50
- Average sentence
- 14 words
- Next steps
- 4
- typical 8
- Hedged sentences
- 5%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
home are
The children's home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.
p.2
because:
All requirements set at last inspection have been addressed. Positive changes have been made. They now need to be maintained and sustained. Management monitoring and oversight has improved. This now needs to be progressed. The analysis of young people’s behaviours and the effects this is having on others is in the early stages of development. The home is now appropriately maintained. Young people’s bedrooms are much improved. All items in the home are working. This progress needs to be sustained. Medication training has been delivered. Administration systems have been updated and are more robust. This needs to be embedded into practice.
p.3
Statutory Requirements
This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, 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 with the given timescales.
p.4
Requirement Due date
Before implementing, or making an amendment which the registered person considers to be substantive to, the missing child policy, the registered person must have regard to any relevant local authority or police protocols on missing children (Regulation 34 (5) (b)) specifically in relation to having up to date missing risk assessments, including update date information on young people. Details of where their current risks and favoured places and friends would be if they went missing. 25/09/2015
p.4
Requirement Due date
The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice related supervision by a person with appropriate experience (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 25/09/2015
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
Children should be supported to express themselves as individuals and should be given an appropriate degree of freedom and choice in relation to day to day arrangements for their care (The Guide to the Quality Standards Page 17 Paragraph 3.21) specifically in relation to young people being supported to express themselves as individuals, in relation to the homes decor in communal areas.
p.4
Information about this children's home
This is a privately run children home. Providing accommodation for up to three young people with emotional social behavioural difficulties.
p.5
Recent inspection history
Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement
p.5
Recent inspection history
19/02/2015 Interim Declined in Effectiveness
p.5
Recent inspection history
08/01/2014 Interim Satisfactory Progress
p.5
people living in the home are
Medication storage and administration has been fully reviewed. Management auditing processes are now clear. Staff have received additional medication training. As a result young people are less likely to be subject to medication errors. The more robust monitoring, storage and administration procedures now need to embed in practice.
p.6
people living in the home are
Since the last inspection young people are benefiting from an environment which is well maintained. Some bedrooms have been redecorated and all have had new carpets. All the electrical equipment within the home is working and nothing is broken. Consequently young people feel proud of their bedrooms. Their basic needs are being met with essential items such as fridges in good working order. The shared spaces in the home still lack homely touches such as art work and young people's imprint. This would enhance young people's sense of belonging and value.
p.6
people living in the home are
Young people enjoy a range of activities. Some young people have been on a summer holiday abroad commenting `it was good.' Other pastimes young people like include shopping, roller-skating and meals out. This broadens young people's life experiences, enhances their social skills and gives them a sense of achievement.
p.6
people living in the home are
Young people benefit from positive contact with their families. Staff support young people to maintain essential relationships, facilitating contact travel, and supporting siblings to visit their home. As a result young people gain understanding of their history and maintain a sense of identity.
p.6
people living in the home are
Staff help young people to understand the importance of maintaining good physical health. They encourage young people to eat healthy and exercise. As a result young people are motivated to undertake activities such as the gym, swimming and trampoleaning. Judgement grade
p.6
people are helped and protected
Behaviour management recording has improved. Significant incidents are now logged. Consequently this has allowed managers to start to analyse patterns and trends in behaviour. This allows any bullying issues to be identified and triggers for young people's challenging behaviour to start to be understood.
p.7
people are helped and protected
Young people’s feelings are now being ascertained after significant incidents. No young person is being left alone during times of crisis. Management are now monitoring incidents closely. As a result management can identify where more support is needed. Individuals needs can be identified as this process becomes more embedded.
p.7
people are helped and protected
Issues regarding senior management behaviour such as shouting were immediately addressed at last inspection. Staff issues are now discussed with mangers and with senior managers in private. As a result this is now promoting a clam and nurturing environment.
p.7
people are helped and protected
Missing episodes for some young people since arriving in this home have now ceased. However missing risk assessments do not reflect young people’s progress or current risks. For some issues such as child sexual exploitation have significantly decreased. This is not documented. This leaves young people vulnerable as staff are not aware of young people's present circumstances. Should any missing incidents occur young people could potential be left venerable as there would be a lack of current information to share with professionals such as the police.
p.7
people are helped and protected
Staff keep up to date with regular safeguarding training. They know what action to take should any young person disclose risk of harm. All staff report feeling confident to report situations to managers and share information. This promotes young people safety as staff know what to do if safeguarding situations arise. Judgement grade
p.7
leaders and managers
The manager has been in post since May 2013. She is suitably qualified and has extensive experience to undertake this role. Interim management arrangements have been put in place to ensure issues identified at previous inspection are addressed and continue to progress, in the temporary absence of the manager. They are undertaken by the suitably qualified and experienced service manager, who has facilitated the changes and this inspection.
p.8
leaders and managers
Staff supervision is not occurring in line with the homes policies. Despite this staff feel well supported by managers. One staff member reported `I have not had an official supervision for some time. The managers are supportive. If I had an issue I would ask the door is open.' Regular supervision enables staff and management to address any issues in practice and reflect on their work. It helps staff build confidence in knowing what is expected of them.
p.8
leaders and managers
Management is now strengthening the daily running of the service. Management is looking at implementing stronger deputising arrangements to ensure tasks that need completing are identified and addressed in a timely manner. As a result staff will have a clear understanding of what they are expected to do. Consequently this will make the running of the home more efficient and staff accountable for their actions.
p.8
leaders and managers
Rewards systems for young people have been revised by management. They are now tailored to individual needs and specific behaviours. As a result young people are more motivated to think about their actions. As this approach progresses young people's behaviour could potentially improve, resulting in less incidents of inappropriate behaviour.
p.8
leaders and managers
Management has positive relationship with other agencies. This includes school, psychologists and social workers. This ensures that information is effectively shared between professionals. All parties have an understanding of young people's needs and they make sure these needs are being met.
p.8
What the inspection judgements mean
The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.
p.9
What the inspection judgements mean
An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being
p.9
What the inspection judgements mean
harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.
p.9
Information about this inspection
Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's
p.10
Information about this inspection
Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .
p.10
Information about this inspection
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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,
p.11
Information about this inspection
The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .
p.11
Information about this inspection
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p.11
Information about this inspection
Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted
p.11
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