Children's home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceeds the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Children and young people enjoy their short breaks and thrive from their starting points. This is due to the high quality, individualised care, role modelling and support that the committed and intuitive staff team provide.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Children and young people‟s safety and welfare is central to care practices and safeguarding developments are supported by research. This enhances children and young people‟s well-being and protects their vulnerabilities. Consequently, parents and professionals feel confident that children are safe.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Children and young people are fully indulged in varied and interesting leisure activities. This boosts their confidence and exposes them to new experiences and memories that are captured in words and pictures.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Excellent leadership and management drives an aspirational service that encourages all children and young people to successfully maximise their potential.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 A well-established, experienced, caring and flexible staff team receive good management support, supervision and appraisal. This motivates them to deliver child focussed care and protection that meets children and young people‟s diverse and complex needs.

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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

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children. They system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(2)(a)(5)) 31/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Staff should be familiar with the home's policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. (The Guide to Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.4). Specifically, that each young person's risk assessments show the review dates and information in application forms that relate to the ending of employment correlates with employment references.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority service is registered to provide care and accommodation for a maximum of seven children and young people of either gender at any one time. Ages range from 8 to 17 years, and individuals have a range of learning disabilities, complex healthcare needs and associated physical disabilities. Children and young people attend on a shared care basis.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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outstanding

This short breaks service empowers disabled children and young people to indulge in excellent opportunities that may not be possible at home. Through their active engagement in a plethora of activities, children and young people enjoy memorable and fun times. A social worker said, „He is happy there.‟

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outstanding

High quality, individualised support, care and protection meets children and young people‟s holistic needs, including their culture requirements. Their unique personalities and traits are respected and valued by staff who act as positive role models. They show a real fondness towards the children and young people. This has nurtured some mutually friendly and warm relationships. Consequently, children and young people thrive from their starting points. A social worker consulted by the service said, „Care is very much tailored around the child/young person‟s needs. Staff make every attempt to understand the child/young person and respond to his/her needs.‟ Another professional said, „They know each individual very well and have an excellent understanding of their needs. They always talk about their young people with genuine fondness and warmth.‟

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outstanding

Children and young people prosper from the excellent range of activities on offer to them. Highlights include a successful residential break that led to the children and young people, through their participation exceeding expectations. A vintage tea party hosted by the children and young people at the service was very successful. A total of £500 was raised for the local disabled riding school, which is used by a number of children and young people who use this service. A real sense of accomplishment and pride is derived from children and young people, „giving back‟ to the community. Children and young people are involved in other activities, such as riding adaptable bikes, visiting places of interest, engaging in outdoor pursuits, sensory play and spending time indoors engaging in activities of their choice. They also enjoy celebrating themed events, which combine learning, creativity and fun during specific times of the year, such as birthdays, Christmas, Eid and Chinese

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outstanding

New Year. Their involvement in new and exciting experiences helps to develop their skills and confidence. Photographs and narratives involving children and young people in activities captures key moments and life story work shows the difference made to their lives as a result of their short breaks.

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outstanding

Children and young people‟s recreational enjoyment is enhanced by the thoughtful matching that promotes a compatible group. Changes are promptly made when the dynamics do not work well to ensure the least possible disruption and distress to others. Positive friendships and companionships have evolved over time, which encourages children and young people‟s social interactions and fellowship. For instance, the bond developed between the young people who horse-ride in the community. A social worker said, „He has friendships outside and inside the home.‟

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outstanding

Children and young people‟s wishes and feelings are fervently promoted by this service. This is a major strength. An intuitive staff team have an exceptionally good understanding of individual communication styles. This ensures decisive and responsive action that shows children and young people that their views are listened to and acted upon. A well-known children‟s charity organisation provides advocates and they support the consultations with children and young people in relation to a range of issues. This ensures a transparent means of helping children and young people to make choices and express their feelings. One complaint made by a young person has been appropriately addressed and resolved. However, compliments outweigh complaints at this service.

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outstanding

The responsibility for supporting children and young people‟s health and education lies with their parents and carers. That said, the service has forged effective relationships with parents and a range of professionals that form the „team around the child‟. This promotes collaborative working practices, which help to counter barriers to children and young people‟s plans, progress and development.

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outstanding

One medication error made several months ago was properly handled and no repeated incidents have been made since. The changes made to staff practice contribute to safe and effective medication management.

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outstanding

Children and young people are actively encouraged to develop independence skills within their abilities. For instance, participating in their personal care, being active in the kitchen and doing their laundry. A social worker said, „He has his own wash basket. He loves to do his own washing and has gone from not doing it, to doing it.‟ Older young people‟s transition into independence is well managed and the home is proactive in ensuring that their best interests are fully represented.

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outstanding

Safeguarding children and young people‟s vulnerabilities run central to how they are cared for and protected. A staff member said, „We have a duty to keep these young people safe.‟ There are no safeguarding concerns that relate to this service by way of allegations against staff. Safeguarding practices are strengthened by the introduction of the research based „Signs of Safety‟ model. Although in its early stages, it is starting to positively impact on how staff reflect on how they can keep children and young people safer. Parents and professionals feel confident that their children are safe during their short breaks. A social worker said that a young person placed by them is „absolutely‟ safe. The team‟s strong safeguarding awareness enables them to help children and young people to protect their personal safety. They appropriately identify, respond and report concerns to professionals, which provides an

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outstanding

additional protective mechanism. A social worker said, „Staff encourage young people to speak up for themselves. I have observed a staff member encourage the young person to say “stop” and follow this with a visual cue when they have not liked what another young person has been doing.‟

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outstanding

Robust risk management interventions make for increasingly safer children and young people. This is due to the prompt identification of risk and the staff team‟s strong understanding about individual thresholds. A social worker said, „Staff work extremely hard to pre-empt any risky situations that might impact on the young people. They develop and put in place risk management plans through consultation with other agencies.‟

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outstanding

Similarly, effective behaviour management strategies promote consistent boundaries and routines that enhance children and young people‟s well-being and help to modify some of their challenging behaviours. Regular meetings with the children and adolescent psychiatrist and psychologist, learning disability nurse and social care professionals help to „trouble shoot‟ and inform individual crisis and risk management plans. A social worker said, „Staff are proactive and have an excellent understanding of children‟s behaviours. They work jointly with staff from other agencies to develop a shared understanding of the reasons behind the behaviours and implement appropriate support strategies to address it.‟ Consequently, physical interventions are few in number and used as a last resort. Good monitoring, review and management oversight ensures they continue to be appropriate and safe. A member of staff said, „It‟s not something that you take lightly. It is for the safety of

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outstanding

Children and young people significantly benefit from their short breaks in safe and secure premises. This results in no missing events. There are no children and young people deemed to be risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE). Notwithstanding these positive elements, staff understand what action to take in the event of such concerns. A social worker said, „All safeguarding protocols are followed by all staff.‟

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outstanding

Visitors are properly vetted and only designated people are allowed to pick up children and young people following their stay. A member of staff said that children and young people will not be allowed to leave with undesignated people, „Not on our watch.‟ Potential threats to children and young people‟s health and safety are countered by the frequent checks on the fire and health and safety equipment. This assures everyone‟s safety.

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outstanding

The operation of this service is compatible with its statement of purpose, a major aspect of which is to, „Provide each child or young person with an individually designed care programme to enable them to develop skills and maximise potential through participation in a range of activities in a stimulating, positive and safe environment.‟

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outstanding

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since May 2009. She has considerable and relevant experience and qualifications and she is working towards the level 5 diploma. She operates an efficient and effective service where children and young people thrive from their starting points. Boldly threaded through the management culture are highly child-focussed and aspirational values for all children and young people to succeed. This pushes their continuous progress and show achievements that may not have previously been realised. Professionals and parents express positive views about the management of the service. A professional said, „It is a well-managed resource with a stable and consistent staff team who are knowledgeable about disability related issues.‟ A member of staff said, „I love my job‟.

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outstanding

Effective internal and external monitoring systems and a service development plan ensure that the strengths and weaknesses are clearly identified, priorities are set and improvement plans drive forward progressive outcomes. Although there is no negative impact on children and young people‟s excellent care and protection, the manager‟s review of care practices does not show how the views of young people, staff, social workers and parents influence service developments. Internal monitoring has not identified an inaccuracy in a recruitment document. It has not detected that risk assessments are not consistently dated to show when they were last updated.

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outstanding

Better systems empower the manager to clearly show the individual progress that children and young people make. This is due to setting targets and the relentless hard work of the staff team to support children and young people to reach individual and realistic goals. A social worker said, „Oh gosh, things are going incredibly well for him.‟ Care planning documents are written to the care quality standards, which provide a clearer and child focus that is compatible with the regulations.

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outstanding

A majorly well-established, mixed-skilled and experienced staff team deliver an extremely caring, resilient and protective service that children and young people enjoy revisiting. A parent said, „I think the staff are excellent. They get to know the children really well and seem genuinely interested in their wellbeing.‟ Staff express fulfilment in their role and feel integrated into the team. A staff member said, „This is like my family.‟ Staff said that managers are supportive and approachable, „No matter what time of day.‟ They receive effective support through reflective supervision, team meetings and daily handovers. A further positive development includes the children and young people‟s involvement in the appraisal process. Although still in its early development stages, this enables staff to further develop and reflect on their practice.

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outstanding

Staff confirm regular training, which develops their knowledge in areas that include end of life, internet safety and radicalisation training. A staff member said, „There are plenty of training courses.‟ Another said, „We are always encouraged to develop. I like learning and updating my skills. I always put myself forward because things change all the time, it‟s a good thing.‟ Staff continue to pursue their role with skill, positive role modelling and determination within these successful support systems.

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outstanding

Exceptionally good relationships and communication with a range of professionals and parents promote continuity of care. It affirms the best possible support to children and young people and helps families through good and bad times. Although not without challenge, the staff team have successfully overcome barriers through following up issues when other services have not met timely expectations. This makes a positive difference to children and young people‟s overall experiences and outcomes.

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outstanding

The physical environment is well-maintained within its limitations. It provides a sufficiently well-resourced, child-friendly and comfortable environment that children and young people happily adapt to during their short breaks.

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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.

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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

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 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

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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 .

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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

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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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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