Children's Home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

Outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed 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’s and young people’s individualised care is exceptionally good, well planned, and is research informed. Motivated staff demonstrate high levels of expertise and understanding that meet the holistic needs of children and young people effectively.  Children and young people thoroughly enjoy their short breaks. The staff team makes them feel special, and staff go beyond their roles to make children’s and young people’s stays memorable.  Children’s and young people’s positive experiences have a significant impact on their quality of life. Parents’ and professionals’ positive comments endorse the service and put forward the viewpoint that it is an excellent provision for children and young people.  The protective measures that are in place safeguard children and young people, and take into account their vulnerabilities. Parents and professionals express confidence in the staff team’s ability to keep their children safe.

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The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

 Staff involve children and young people in excellent activities that they may not otherwise do at home.  An effective, child-centred and aspirational management and staff team consistently look for new ways to improve the lives of children, young people and their families.  Strong staff support, regular supervision and training help staff to continuously develop, so that they remain responsible and accountable for the quality of care.

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Information about this children’s home

The service is run by the local authority and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven children and young people who have learning disabilities. Some children and young people also have physical disabilities and complex health needs. This service provides a short break and outreach service. The domiciliary care service was launched in October 2015 and is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A variation to extend one placement has been agreed with Ofsted.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 29/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/01/2016 Full Outstanding 26/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 12/02/2015 Full Outstanding

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Outstanding

Children’s and young people’s short breaks are exceptionally well-planned and individualised. The practices are research informed, and attend to children’s and young people’s complex and diverse needs, as well as their cultural requirements. Young people’s inclusion and acceptance in the safe, child-friendly learning environment enhances their overall progress and development. One young person said, ‘It’s good! It has great staff. You can do lots of fun things and the tea is nice.’ Parents and professionals rate the service highly. One parent said, ‘The care and support my child gets from the staff is consistently excellent.’

p.5

Outstanding

One child’s extended stay provides continuity of care pending an appropriate placement. The wraparound support meets his holistic needs. Extra details make the difference to the way that the child has settled in. For example, staff showed empathy when the child wrote a letter to Santa Claus to let him know where he is living. The fact that staff are volunteering to work over the Christmas break, even though the service is usually closed at that time, ensures that the child’s Christmas will be a memorable one. The social worker said, ‘They’ve made him feel special.’

p.5

Outstanding

Children’s and young people’s access to three child-friendly versions of the children’s guide informs them sufficiently about the service. A young person having an introductory visit said that she enjoys, ‘playing on the tablet and making new friends, exploring.’ Careful matching allows for a compatible mix that promotes friendships. A parent said, ‘This way he is getting his friendship base.’

p.5

Outstanding

Skilled staff have coherent and insightful knowledge of the children and young people who are entrusted to their care. This helps staff to build the strong relationships that exist between them and the children and young people. Whenever possible, staff help children and young people to acquire independence skills, so that they can do more for themselves.

p.5

Outstanding

Staff understand the communication methods used by children and young people. Regular meetings for children and young people and individual key-worker sessions involve them in decisions about what they want to do and how they are cared for. Children and young people also partake in ‘Living Values’ sessions. These engage them in a range of activities that help them to develop positive values and build respectful and caring environments for themselves and others.

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Outstanding

The wide range of fun activities that children and young people participate in magnifies their exceptional experiences. In particular, over the summer holidays they went on a barge trip, camped out and visited a number of interesting places. A group of young people successfully completed the bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme. This was a fantastic achievement that led to young people and proud staff attending an awards ceremony, along with the Lord Mayor of Wakefield. One usually shy participant shared his experience with the audience at the ceremony. This clearly shows how young people’s confidence in their abilities increases as a result of their involvement in challenging activities. Indoor enrichment activities – such as the photography club, music group and a wide range of other play facilities – provide children and young people with opportunities to play, socialise and shine.

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Outstanding

A member of staff fundraised to enable a young person to go and see an ABBA tribute band for her birthday. She was transported to the concert by limousine, which made for a very special and memorable occasion. A local club has offered their facilities free of charge to enable the home to host their annual Christmas party. Such innovative and creative acts show children and young people that they are highly valued in the home and in the community.

p.6

Outstanding

The premises are spacious and suitably maintained. Individual bedrooms allow for children and young people to personalise them and are tailored to meet children’s and young people’s personal requirements.

p.6

Outstanding

The thorough management investigation into two medication errors, which took place in July 2016 and November 2016, has improved practice through lessons learned.

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Outstanding

The protective measures that are in place keep children and young people safe effectively. The staff have an exceptionally good knowledge of the needs, methods of communication, risks and vulnerabilities that are associated with the children’s and young people’s disabilities. Consequently, the staff’s knowledge and close supervision prevent incidents of children and young people going missing and getting into harmful situations. None of the children or young people is subject to child sexual exploitation or radicalisation. However, the staff understand the potential for children and young people to be vulnerable to such risks, and this is supported by relevant training. Parents and professionals show that they are confident about their children’s safety. One parent said, ‘I always feel relaxed in the knowledge that my child is safe and having a good time.’ Discussions about bullying behaviour have taken place with individual young people as part of the

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Outstanding

‘Living Values’ sessions. This helps them to understand how this behaviour manifests itself. The premises are safe for children and young people to stay in, due to the health and safety, fire safety and appliances checks that protect all inhabitants. The vetting of visitors, prior to them entering the premises and signing the visitor’s book, ensures that children and young people are not in the company of unsuitable adults.

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Outstanding

Comprehensive risk assessments for each child and young person clearly identify the potential risks and the strategies for keeping them and others safe. Regular updates indicate the constantly changing needs of each child and young person. Children’s and young people’s welfare is promoted by these proactive measures. One social worker said, ‘Everything is in place. He has his own risk assessments and I see his file.’

p.7

Outstanding

Staff willingly go above and beyond their role with regard to how they care for and support children and young people who are subject to child protection plans or have been assessed to be in need. They work hard at building positive working relationships with families to achieve the best outcomes for the children. Their support also prevents families from feeling alone in their struggles because they have the staff to talk to. Staff understand what action to take should they have concerns about a child or young person’s welfare or about unsafe practice towards children by any member of the team.

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Outstanding

Staff promote positive behaviours in children and young people within the ethos of the statement of purpose and the research-informed methodology of the service. It states, ‘The preferred method of behaviour management at Wasdale is one of positive reinforcement of good behaviour, linked to talking and negotiation with the child or young person and by the setting and maintenance of clear and consistent boundaries’. The staff’s strong skills of engagement and their positive relationships with the children and young people empower them to deal with some highly challenging behaviours that can escalate without warning.

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Outstanding

The majority of the techniques used by staff have been effective in helping children and young people to regulate their emotions and behaviours. This is reflected in the minimal use of physical interventions, which are only employed as a last resort. The registered manager’s close scrutiny of the measures that have been taken has enabled her to identify that one incident was restrictive. Having detected this incident, she acted promptly and thoroughly. Parents, social workers and senior managers were notified, which indicates transparent practice. The registered manager’s insightful and reflective debriefs with the staff involved and with the young person concerned have enabled the development of a new behaviour management strategy. All staff are reminded explicitly that restrictive practice is not acceptable and should not be repeated. There have been no further incidents. Judgement grade

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Outstanding

Children, young people and their families continue to benefit from the wide range of services that are provided under the leadership of an effective, child-centred and aspirational manager. Her registration with Ofsted commenced in March 2007. She also holds a social work and management qualification and has in excess of 30 years’ experience. Three competent managers deputise in the manager’s absence. They work extremely well together as an approachable, confident and hands-on management team and they have created a safe learning environment that leads by example. The management team are passionate about the children and young people in their care. Their aim is for the children and young people to achieve the best possible outcomes. They are always seeking new ways to improve. This keeps expectations high. The domiciliary care service is registered with the CQC, and the outreach provision is a valuable resource to families. Combining these services with short breaks offers

p.8

Outstanding

invaluable facilities to children and young people who have disabilities, and their families. Placing social workers, other professionals and families demonstrate a high regard for the good-quality communication and services on offer to them. One parent said, ‘The team of exceptional staff enable my child to enjoy time with his friends and to access the community positively and safely.’ Partnership working is a considerable strength of the home. A health professional said, ‘I thoroughly enjoy my role in working with the staff at Wasdale. It helps to keep a strong link between respite, families and therapists to ensure the child’s needs are being met.’ Children and young people prosper as a result of the consistent presence of a resilient, motivated and flexible staff team. One staff member said, ‘It’s a family rather than a staff team.’ They feel very well supported by the management team, who empower them to come up with new ideas about how the service can further

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Outstanding

improve. This is in addition to the peer support, regular reflective supervision and relevant internal and external training that they receive, all of which inform their practice and inspire them to go beyond the requirements of their roles. The registered manager values the team. She said, ‘We have the best staff team ever, really. It’s a very steady team.’ This is evident in the low sickness and absence levels. Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of the needs and progress of each individual child and young person, and they are extremely positive about what they do for children and young people. One staff member said, ‘You treat them as you want to be treated.’ The management team has a strong understanding about what works well and what needs to improve. The registered manager uses the independent monitoring systems effectively. The strength of the internal management scrutiny has enabled

p.8

Outstanding

the quick detection of practice shortfalls, which has aided transparent responses. Consequently, the prompt and decisive action taken to thoroughly address concerns and learn lessons ensures that staff remain responsible and accountable to the children and young people in their care. The registered manager notifies Ofsted about significant issues. This has included management investigations, some of which are ongoing and do not impact on children’s and young people’s safety and welfare. There were no requirements or recommendations raised at the last inspection and no shortfalls have been identified at this inspection.

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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 children looked after 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 that 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 that 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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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