Children's home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

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 sustained effectiveness . Young people continue to thrive from their starting points. A contributing factor is the excellent, bespoke support and nurture that staff show the young people. One staff member said, ‘When you see the kids, you just want to be with them all the time.’ The staff share an excellent understanding of the young people’s personalities, their likes, dislikes and individual needs. For example, one young person with serious health needs took a bus trip that he was not able to achieve previously. A parent said, ‘I am very pleased with the quality of service.’ This is despite staff shortages arising due to some staff leaving and staff sickness. However, the recruitment and selection process has been activated and this intends to replenish the staffing concerns. In the meantime, the staff team

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

members have stepped up by carrying out additional work to prevent unnecessary disruption to the young people’s short breaks. Since the last inspection, two young people have moved on. One of the young people had an extended stay and she experienced a planned move. This enabled her to feel well prepared and able to say goodbye. The registered manager said, ‘She gave everyone a love and she knew that she was going.’ The support provided to older young people to transition into adult services contributes to the next stage of their journey. Staff promote young people’s safety and welfare to a high standard. This is due to the staff team’s collaborative working practices with other professionals. One staff member said, ‘We are very good at adapting to risk.’ A social worker said, ‘There are risks, but the manager is aware of the risks.’ A parent said that they consider their child to be, ‘Very safe. I would not send him if he was not safe.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Consequently, no young people have been missing or are at risk or exposed to child sexual exploitation. The staff team’s support to families outside of the young people’s short breaks is sustained and is helping to effect change. Positive and trusting relationships develop between the young people and staff. This clearly helps young people to manage the complex aspects of their behaviours effectively and enhances their sense of well-being and confidence. For example, one young person with a particular obsession that caused him an enormous amount of stress was given the practical tools to help him to overcome the specific barrier. This has successfully helped him to feel less anxious and to develop the ability to self- regulate his behaviour and improve his sleeping patterns. Other young people have been successful in sustaining behaviours in excess of two years that promote good hygiene and protect their dignity. A member of staff said, ‘We break down barriers

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

with children.’ Young people continue to engage in a range of fun and enriching pastimes that they enjoy. This included the Christmas party, which was attended by young people and their families. A well-known clothing company also donated Christmas presents. Clearly, the happy times that young people experience are evident in the photos and creative artefacts that are adorned around the environment. For example, one young person with a talent for art is preparing to auction her artwork at a forthcoming event. Another young person attends rugby matches, while others enjoy sensory play and games both inside the home and in the enclosed outside areas. Such positive experiences enable young people to excel in their chosen interests, try new things and feel socially included in a community that embraces their presence. The registered manager has acted on the one recommendation from the last inspection to repair the damaged en-suite bathroom floor. The interim measure

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

provides an improved, safer environment for the young people when bathing. The action taken supports a welcoming and pleasant environment that strives for high physical standards that in turn values young people and their individual needs. Positive working relationships between the staff team, professionals and families promote young people’s needs. This promotes consistency and prevents unnecessary upheaval in young people’s lives. A social worker said, ‘They bend over backwards to meet children’s needs. [Name of the home] will try to accommodate them to meet their needs.’ Similarly, despite a very busy and demanding period, staff remain buoyant and feel valued by the management team for their positive contributions to young people’s lives. One member of staff said, ‘We do a good job within the team. It’s rock solid.’ Another member of staff said, ‘I am looking forward to giving 100% and keep upping my game.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An inspection conducted by the Commission for Quality Care Standards in October 2016 judged the home to be good. No requirements and no recommendations have been made following this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority service provides short-break care for up to seven children and young people who have learning disabilities and complex healthcare needs. In addition to meeting the children’s and young people's social care needs, the service also provides nursing input and is registered with the Care Quality Commission. The service currently supports 43 children and young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/10/2016 Full Outstanding 30/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 13/01/2016 Full Outstanding 25/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 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 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

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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