Children's Home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The manager has taken action to improve both of the shortfalls identified at the last inspection and make further improvements to the running of the home. There is effective monitoring of safeguarding incidents, risk assessments, use of sanctions and physical intervention. The manager is using this information, as well as regular, monthly oversight from an independent person, to improve the standard of care. The level of staff supervision is better, which means that all staff are clear about their roles and now follow the correct procedures for responding to inappropriate behaviour from young people. Strong partnership working arrangements are contributing towards promoting the welfare and safety of young people. The home is piloting a new scheme with the police that is significantly reducing the frequency of young people being missing

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

from the home. Staff practice is robust and their good procedures ensure that young people return safely when they have been missing. The police visit regularly to advise young people, and effective information sharing between the agencies is having a positive impact on keeping young people safe. Integrated working with social workers promotes robust risk management and gives young people the responsibility and independence to stay overnight at friends’ houses. This has helped reduce the number of times that staff report young people as missing or absent without permission. Young people respond well to this, stick to agreed boundaries, and talk to staff about where they are as opposed to not communicating at all. The manager is increasing the level of consultation with young people and their relatives on a monthly basis. This forms part of a review of young people’s experiences and progress, current concerns about their needs and informs up-to-

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

date action plans. This is a more inclusive and collaborative process that is responsive to young people’s wishes and feelings, promotes their welfare and improves family contact. Young people generally have positive views about the home, but do not always get along with each other. Staff support young people when they fall out with each other and promote an anti-bullying environment. The manager and staff review and reflect on any incidents of disruption between young people and amend care practice to keep young people safe. Staff have adopted a new approach to behaviour management, which focuses on incentives and positive reinforcement and the ending of sanctions. This requires further embedding into practice before its impact can be evaluated. Staff’s use of physical intervention is infrequent and is used only as a last resort to protect young people from harm. The staff team is stable and young people benefit from the caring environment,

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

consistent boundaries and clear expectations. This does not always prevent risk- taking behaviour and young people’s negative experiences. However, staff respond appropriately and risk management is robust. Strategies include collaboration with partner agencies, such as the police and placing authority. Staff receive regular advice and support from mental health professionals, which guide their work with young people. Staff strive to disrupt inappropriate and negative risk taking by young people. When necessary, this includes higher levels of supervision and monitoring of young people that prevent further incidents from occurring. Staff give young people frequent advice and support that encourages better decision making. Young people benefit from engaging with additional support services for counselling and to reduce substance misuse. The manager has successfully secured additional funding to provide targeted

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

support to young people to reduce further the levels of missing from home, substance misuse and risks of child sexual exploitation. The majority of young people currently attend an educational setting. There are strong expectations that they will attend or look for employment. Until recently, young people were making progress. Staff are in the process of supporting young people with decisions about changing college courses and looking for jobs. This is to help them get back on track with their education and training. The manager ensures that young people benefit from being in the right setting and will seek special educational needs support where required.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

12/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

02/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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’.

p.5

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.

p.5

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 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

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,

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6