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

Inspection report children’s home: SC064934 1 SC064934 Registered provider: Dove Adolescent Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to three children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home can accommodate children and young people of any age. However, normally they are between 12 and 18 years old. The manager has been registered since August 2019 and is currently in the process of working towards her level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 11 September 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC064934 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/09/2018 Full Good 13/09/2017 Full Good 13/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 25/08/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC064934 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people have made good progress since moving to the home. They receive good-quality care from a stable, dedicated and nurturing staff team. The staff are meeting the individual needs of the children and young people. The children and young people have developed positive relationships with the staff which enables them to express their wishes and feelings. One young person said, ‘We have staff that we can always speak with.’ Staff consult with the children and young people on a daily basis. Focused work sessions take place with the children and young people to give them a better understanding and the opportunity to discuss what matters to them or things that are affecting their lives. Children and young people are listened to and respected by the staff. Children and young people are engaging and attending education. For one young person, the staff have worked closely with school to create a bespoke educational

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

programme. From their starting point, the young person has made considerable progress and attainments. An educational professional said, ‘The young person has worked really hard and done really well. The staff are very supportive and have high aspirations for young people.’ Staff encourage children and young people to follow healthy lifestyles. The staff provide good support and encouragement to the children and young people to attend their health appointments. Health professionals have also visited the home to meet the individual needs of a young person. This ensures the overall health and well-being of the children and young people. Children and young people’s interests are promoted and a range of activities and opportunities are available to them, such as day trips out, holidays and meals out. One young person has recently joined the local youth club and another young person has now developed friendships within the local area. This is supporting

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

children and young people in their social skills, confidence and building self-esteem. The staff have proactively worked to build positive and effective relationships with children and young people’s families. For one young person, this has enabled an increase in time spent with family. The family member said, ‘The staff have advocated on our behalf which has had a positive outcome for us.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have a good understanding of the children and young people’s individual needs, vulnerabilities and specific risks. Risk management plans are documented to a good standard, ensuring that staff minimise and reduce any risks or concerns for the children and young people. Children and young people are protected by good staffing levels. Inspection report children’s home: SC064934 4 Children and young people rarely go missing from the home. Where this has happened, there are clear protocols in place for each young person, which staff have effectively implemented for one young person. The home has good links with the local police and community support officers, and staff know the local area. Since the last inspection, the number of physical interventions has been low. The home focuses on positive incentives which are identified with each young person. This creates an achievable, individualised incentive and reward for the children and

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

young people. Recruitment processes are good, which means that staff are vetted and deemed safe to work with children and young people. All new staff receive a structured induction programme and probationary period, allowing them to fully understand their roles and expectations of the care and support that they are to provide to the children and young people.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager effectively leads the home. She has worked for the company since 2014 and is confident in her role. She has aspirations for the children and young people to achieve and have a positive experience while living at the home. The manager is a strong advocate for the children and young people and is able to challenge professionals to ensure that children and young people’s individual needs are met. The manager has strong partnership working with professionals. This provides a consistent approach when caring for the children and young people. A professional said, ‘The manager and the staff team are knowledgeable, with good communication providing weekly progress reports and updates about the young person.’ Staff receive regular supervision and an annual appraisal. This contributes to staff feeling supported by the manager. A staff member said, ‘As a staff team, we benefit from a hands-on manager who encourages us to reflect on practice and make

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

suggestions of how the team and home can improve for the benefit of the children.’ The manager has monitoring and quality assurance systems in place, and she uses the information and her findings to set targets for staff to enhance their development and knowledge. This ensures that children and young people are receiving a high standard of care and support. Inspection report children’s home: SC064934 5

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC064934 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Dove Adolescent Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 170 Southgate, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF8 1QJ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Barbara Whittaker

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Inspector

Sue Hatton, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC064934 7 to 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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