Children's home run by Dove Adolescent Services Limited in Wakefield

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection. This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . Young people are making continuous progress and gaining positive experiences. One young person is doing well on her independence programme, such as developing budgeting skills. Another young person has passed the required grading examinations in a contact sport. In addition, a young person has passed their school examinations. Young people are benefiting from improved relationships with their peers in the home. This provides them with a harmonious home environment with no incidents of bullying. In addition, the home has benefited from further decoration, which maintains the welcoming and homely atmosphere. The manager has implemented a strategy to repair the damage caused by the upstairs shower. This is work in

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

progress. Young people continue to experience security and stability in the home. To support the success of the group dynamics and the needs of the young people, there have been no admissions or discharges during this period. Young people who have left the home remain in contact. The staff team has recently supported one young person, who left in 2009, to piece together their life story. The manager has updated the home’s statement of purpose to support any new admissions to the home. Young people are helped and protected by a staff team whose priority is to safeguard them from harm. Young people’s risks are understood by vigilant and knowledgeable staff, who implement appropriate measures to ensure their safety. For example, staff are currently undertaking daily welfare visits and hourly telephone calls to confirm the well-being of a young person who is choosing to spend prolonged time away from the home. To maintain the well-being of young

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

people, the staff have undertaken room searches, with this now more clearly documented. Young people can and do engage well in education, but their commitment to formal education and learning can fluctuate. Staff and relevant education providers make every effort to re-engage young people and to secure alternative provision to meet the specific educational needs of individual young people. As a result of the improvements that one young person has made in school, they have been invited to a school residential camping trip. The trip is for students who have shown excellent behaviour. Young people continue to benefit from family contact. Staff communication with parents and carers is consistently strong. Staff are using information gained from parents and carers to improve care practices for young people. A parent reported: ‘I am really happy with the service that the home offers. [X] is getting the right

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

care that he needs and he is supported.’ Partnership working is a real strength of the home, and staff use the advice, guidance and support from professionals to improve the care practices and plans for young people. This includes consultation with a clinical psychologist to further enhance the support offered to young people and their emotional well-being. The manager also incorporates the consultations with professionals and family members to inform the six-monthly review of the home. The manager continues to quality assure practice, and routinely implements learning to strengthen the support offered to young people. This includes ensuring that new staff are confident and consistent in their approach. In addition, the manager is trialling a development of young people’s daily records. This is providing the manager with a deeper analysis of young people’s progress and highlighting areas for continued support.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered manager has clear plans and evidence to demonstrate that all of the requirements and most of the recommendations from the last inspection have been met. The manager and the responsible individual are working with the independent visitor to strengthen the independent quality assurance process. This will further enhance the quality of care provided for young people.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

27/01/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendation

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:

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Recommendation

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) This is with particular reference to repairing the damage caused by the plumbing difficulties in the upstairs bathroom.

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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 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 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 whom 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Text phone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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