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

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good progress has been made to address the previous requirements and good practice recommendation raised at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A review of the service’s statement of purpose provides clarity, which enables the registered provider to effectively meet its service objectives. This gives the staff team sufficient time to assess young people’s needs and enables the most appropriate and decisive course of action to be taken in young people’s best interests. Recruitment records include verification as to why an applicant’s previous employment ended. This promotes safer recruitment practices.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A number of fire doors have been fitted with fire closures. This allows the doors to be safely kept open and automatically close on the activation of the fire alarm. A further two closures will be installed on the doors that lead into the lounge and computer room. These doors have been reported for repair because they do not close properly. The action taken to remedy this issue will safeguard everyone in the event of a fire. The fire risk assessment is due to be updated on completion of the work.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s confidentiality is protected by the measures taken to ensure the secure storage of their information. The registered manager’s review of care practices in the home is due to be received by Ofsted in the next few weeks. In the meantime, the good scrutiny of care practices conducted by the independent visitor demonstrates a well managed home that keeps young people safe and promotes their welfare. The recommendations made following these visits are promptly responded to by the registered manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are increasingly safer due to the joint multi-agency safeguarding and risk management practices that have been robustly implemented to protect their vulnerabilities. Therefore, those young people assessed to be at risk of, or involved in child sexual exploitation (CSE) have received high levels of support and supervision.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In one instance, this has facilitated an opportunity for a young person to work with police officers specialising in CSE matters to identify potential perpetrators. Similarly, strong multi-agency working and the sharing of vital intelligence resulted in another young person being the subject of a police protection order in the home until their swift move out of the area. The transition was facilitated by staff and the young person moved on happily, settled and safer. A member of staff said that this was, ‘A really, really good piece of work that kept this young person safe. Everybody did what they had to do and it was very effective.’ A parent said about their child’s safety, ‘They have helped me loads and kept her safe.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have been very proactive on the occasions when young people have gone missing from home. They work effectively within the agreed police protocols and actively go out looking for them, knocking on doors and visiting potential places. A parent said, ‘They get into their cars and go and pick them up from anywhere. Somehow they just find them.’ A staff member said, ‘I think we kept her safe given her past history.’ Strategy meetings provide a joint response to repeated incidents. This promotes young people’s safety and welfare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Those young people who have displayed challenging behaviours have been managed by staff that possess good de-escalation techniques which has avoided physical intervention. Improved communication between the home and police has resulted in an improved understanding of the young people’s risks and needs. This has been evident when the police have responded to incidents involving young people that have avoided excessive force. Improved working together relationships have been strengthened by these practices and this keeps young people safer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is currently experiencing a quiet time following a number of planned moves. This has helped young people to continue their life journeys, move back to their families or alternative placements, having had a period of stability in the home. Staff talk about the young people with great affection and they remain in touch with a number of them through outreach support, visits and other forms of contact. This is testament to their mutually strong, trusting and reliable relationships. A young person who has lived at the home prior to the change of remit remains accommodated. She progresses her daily life without significant incidents and remains very settled. Her positive and sustained supportive relationships with the staff team help her to make decisions that inform her future prospects. For example, applying for apprenticeships and planning for independence in consultation with the leaving care services.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are keenly supported by the staff team in conjunction with the leaving care services to develop independence skills that provide them with useful survival skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s personal individuality is actively celebrated, which helps them to proudly express their cultural identity. The recent excellent support by the staff team in collaboration with other professionals has enabled a young person to travel abroad to their parental country of origin at short notice. Despite the sad circumstances, it allowed them to pay their final respects to a loved one, meet previously unacquainted family and return with positive memories of the trip.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s wishes and feelings continue to be actively listened to, acted on and remain highly central to their plans. Children’s rights are promoted from this good practice. This includes those young people who visit the home for the first time and are able to say whether the services on offer are conducive to their needs. This includes a young person who was initially not motivated to move into the home. He said after meeting with the registered manager and his social worker, ‘My gut feeling tells me that this home is the best place for me to be right now.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager can demonstrate the difference that the home has made to the lives of the young people placed there. He reflects on a young person who was ‘Made to feel valued as a woman’ as opposed to, ‘Jumping out of cars, using substances and acting feral’ at the point of admission. Another member of staff said that a young person, ‘Absolutely blossomed’ as a consequence of their stay at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a number of further developments planned for the home. These are yet to be fully implemented but intend to drive forward improvement. A stable and cohesive staff team remain committed to caring for the young people and provide support to their families who value these interventions. Parents express high satisfaction with the services delivered by the home. One parent said, ‘They do well with the kids there. I have no complaints.’ The child focussed staff team continues to improve their practice through continuous training, development and team communication. New casual staff are well integrated in the team and feel supported and equipped to carry out their role. Their skills, experience and motivation fully contributes to the rich and diverse team dynamics.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. This home forms part of a wider range of provision and outreach support that is offered to children, young people and their families in the community.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/02/2015 Interim Improved 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

Ensure that after consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must- take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)). Specifically review the fire risk assessment and install self-closing devices on all fire doors in the home. 29/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating – the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45(2) (a)). Specifically, that the monitoring review report is evaluative and makes clear how the quality of care demonstrates improved outcomes for young people. 29/02/2016

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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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