Children's home run by Kirklees Council in Kirklees

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make progress across a wide spectrum of areas in their lives. They are given very high quality care that ensures they grow in confidence, develop their social skills and learn independence skills. For example, one young person who previously could not tolerate busy public places is now able to shop with confidence, attend social events and visit places such as theme parks. Another young person has learnt self-care skills and assists in setting the table at mealtimes and managing simple laundry tasks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff work hard to make sure that young people experience care that is sensitive to their growing needs and that they feel emotionally and physically safe in their environment. Staff are active in understanding each young person’s complex social and medical needs and they have aspirations for each young person to achieve their potential. One parent commented, ‘I haven’t got anything negative to say about the home. They do everything they can.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people that join and leave the home are afforded robust multi-agency planning that ensures their transition is a positive experience. Detailed information is sought from and communicated to other agencies, ensuring young people’s needs are met. Staff are active in taking part in the decision-making that leads to successful transitions for young people. Their knowledge and understanding of young people is respected by other agencies. One Independent Reviewing Officer commented, ‘I have always been impressed with them. They are very professional, on top of what matters and they clearly know her very well.’ Young people are engaged as much as possible in this process and individually developed pictorial aids assist their understanding and their input.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, there have been no complaints, missing from home incidents or any other incidents that affect young people’s safety and well-being. There has been only one notification relating to an administrative error on behalf of the dispensing chemist. The vigilance of staff ensured this was quickly addressed and resolved. Physical intervention are rare and are used only when other means of de- escalation are not successful. Young people respond well to the detailed behaviour management plans that staff employ. Through the monitoring and reviewing of these plans, young people receive appropriate and thoughtful responses from staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff work well with other agencies such as child and adolescent mental health services, schools and health professionals in order to ensure young people receive timely and appropriate services. They collaborate closely with education on areas such as communication methods. There is an active sharing of ideas and joint reviewing of progress in this area. As a result, young people have consistent and predictable responses, and for many this is essential to ensuring their emotional health.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has very good oversight of the quality of care to the young people. She is visible and influential in changing the lives of young people living at the home. She is very knowledgeable of each young person’s progress and this is monitored on a regular basis. She is aware of the weaknesses within the home and completes suitable audits in order to improve recording and evidence. For example, risk assessments and plans are read and commented upon, and returned back to staff for improvement and clarity.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the previous inspection, one requirement and two recommendations were made. The requirement related to areas of reporting within the independent visitors report and this has now been met. The recommendation relating to repair or resurfacing of the outside play areas has not been met. These areas remain in a state of disrepair, which create a trip hazard for many young people who are less mobile or stable in their movements. It reduces their ability to make use of the outside space. The second recommendation has partially been met. This related to space being available to young people enabling them to enjoy time away from others in a sensory environment. This may require possible structural consideration and as such, discussion has taken place at how best to plan and finance this proposal.

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Information about this children's home

This home is local authority run and can provide accommodation for up to eight children with sensory impairment, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/03/2015 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

12 The protection of children standard 12. In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to the resurfacing of the external play areas of the home, the registered person must ensure that: (2) (d) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health 31/05/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Children in residential care usually live in a group environment, and so it is particularly important that they can spend time away from other group members. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 16 paragraph 3.17) In particular, that young people with sensory needs have a suitably equipped space to spend time in.

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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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