Children's Home run by Kirklees Council in Kirklees

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make variable progress at the home. For some, their commitment to engaging with the staff and participating in nurturing activities is positive. For others however, the staff are less successful in mitigating against external negative influences. This has led young people to be absent from the home and become involved in criminal offences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The majority of young people do not attend education. For some that are new to the home it is clear that this has been a pre-existing concern. However, staff have not made progress with those already settled at the home as they continue not to engage in education or training and have not done so for a prolonged period.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people do not have positive routines and spend long periods away from the home and from staff. This includes unauthorised overnight stays with friends or family. As a consequence, the positive influence and work that staff achieve with some young people is very limited.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have transitioned from the home in an unplanned way. This has been the result of potentially dangerous behaviours posing a risk to not only their own welfare but also to others. A very serious incident was not escalated to the regulator. This may or may not have been identified in the independent person’s reports however Ofsted have not had sight of these since July 2015. This does not ensure that the regulatory body has good oversight of the home and does not inspire confidence in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although the manager has on-going mechanisms in place to review care that is provided, these are not sufficiently robust. Care plans that are not meeting the needs of young people have not been reviewed in a timely manner. In addition, some risk assessments are low in evaluation and require review. Such out of date records limit the staff teams understanding of potential risks and the impact that young people’s behaviour may have on others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the previous inspection one requirement relating to the completion of reviewing the location of the premises was made. This remains unmet. Two recommendations were also made relating to updating the statement of purpose and improving the décor of the home. These recommendations have been met with doors having been repainted, soft furnishings bought and the outside of the property being kept tidy. On the whole, young people benefit from a home that is well furnished and maintained. However, practical preparation of bedrooms for young people joining the home is not thorough. One young person commented that they were using a mattress from a previous occupant, and that it was stained.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of missing in general are low and when some young people are away from the home they do on the whole remain in contact with staff. Staff effectively utilise de-escalation techniques in managing potentially harmful and negative behaviours. One independent reviewing officer commented, ‘They challenge his behaviour and they are clear about their responsibilities to challenge. They are able to do this really gently and do it in a way that respects him’ and, ‘They are clear with her whilst not being antagonistic about the boundaries.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people that are new to the home have made progress in some areas of their lives. They have shown a reduction in behaviour that is harmful to their physical and emotional welfare and incidents of self-harm for one young person have decreased. One young person commented, ‘I do feel like I have settled down here and I do feel comfortable.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, some young people leaving the home have done so in a planned way. This has included successful rehabilitation to family members and transition to semi-independent facilities. Where young people have left the home in a planned way, staff have been fully involved helping to ensure a smooth transition.

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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.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children's home at least once in every calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard) (Regulation 46(1)) * 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

8. In order to meet the education standard, with particular reference to young people attending appropriate education, the registered person must ensure that staff: (iii) understand the barriers that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers; (iv) help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment. 05/02/16

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if- there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 29/01/2016 14 The care planning standard

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Requirement Due date

14. In order to meet the care planning standard, with particular reference to the registered person seeking timely and robust review of care plans, the registered person must ensure- (2) (e) that the child's placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child's relevant plans is requested, if- (i) the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care plan provided for the child's needs is adequate to meet the child's needs; (ii) the child is, or has been, persistently absent from the home without permission. 29/01/2016

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person's report to HMCI. (Regulation 44 (7)(a)) 29/01/2016

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to statutory requirement notice.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  For children's home to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of children, they will, in most cases be homely, domestic environments (The Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, page 15, paragraph 3.9). With particular reference to the child's bedroom being fully prepared prior to their arrival and where appropriate new mattresses purchased for their use.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs as recorded in the child's relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56, paragraph 11.4) With particular reference to impact assessments being clear in their analysis and evaluation of the impact upon children already resident at the home.

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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 .

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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,

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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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

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