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

Assurance visit report: SC060811 1 SC060811

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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 two children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is experienced and holds the appropriate qualifications. She has been in post since 2010.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 19 November 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:  children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC060811 2

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The care of children

Staff support the children to settle into the home with a warm and nurturing welcome. Staff encourage children to personalise their rooms and have a say in the home’s environment. This gives the children a genuine sense of belonging.

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The care of children

Staff develop positive relationships with children. This enables children to express their wishes and feelings. One child said, ‘I can talk to staff and have a joke with them.’

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The care of children

The staff team has a good understanding of the children’s individual needs. Staff provide consistent routines and boundaries, which helps children by providing structure in their lives. Children are supported by staff with their day-to-day care to help them flourish.

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The care of children

Not all children have formal education placements. However, education remains a high priority for staff and children in the home. The staff work effectively with the virtual school to ensure children receive the correct support. Staff advocate on behalf of children for an education placement. Children benefit from the learning opportunities provided by the virtual tutor, and staff, in the absence of a school placement.

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The care of children

Good access to specialist advice about children’s mental health helps the staff to understand and meet the individual needs of the children. Staff support children to self-regulate their emotions by encouraging children to speak about issues affecting their day-to-day lives. As a result, this improves children’s emotional health and well- being.

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The care of children

New restrictions, linked to COVID-19, have resulted in children having limited face- to-face time with their family and friends. However, the staff team facilitates daily conversations for the children with their family where appropriate. Children benefit from building and maintaining relationships with family members.

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The care of children

The staff prepare children well to move on from the home in line with their care plan. Staff work with all professionals to ensure that the children have a planned and smooth transition. Since the last inspection, one young person has moved on to semi-independence and has remained in touch with the staff.

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The safety of children

There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. Staff are clear about the actions they would take if a child did go missing from the home. These are in line with ensuring the child’s safe return home.

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The safety of children

Staff have a good awareness of, and understand, the children’s individual vulnerabilities and risks. These are reflected in the children’s comprehensive risk assessments that provide strategies for staff to reduce and manage the risk. Assurance visit report: SC060811 3 Physical interventions have occurred only as a last resort. These are used to keep the children away from danger and others safe. Staff records relating to physical interventions are appropriately documented and reviewed. The manager’s debriefs with staff, following such interventions, help them to identify potential triggers to ensure the best support is given to the children.

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The safety of children

Consistent staffing levels during the COVID-19 pandemic have allowed the staff to support and supervise the children well.

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Leaders and managers

The manager leads and manages the home effectively. She has a hands-on approach that provides staff with good guidance and support.

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Leaders and managers

Regular supervisions take place with the staff team. This allows staff to reflect on their continuous professional development and their practice to care for, and support, children.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has monitoring and quality assurance systems in place to ensure that children receive good-quality care. She has full oversight of the day-to-day running of the home. She knows the strengths, and areas of development, of the staff team and the home.

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Leaders and managers

The staff team is informed, through daily handovers, of any changes that will impact on the children’s lives.

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Leaders and managers

Recruitment processes are good. This means that all staff are vetted and deemed safe to work with children.

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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 Assurance visit report: SC060811 4 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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