Children's home run by Hennessy Living Group Limited in Kirklees

Assurance visit report: SC482418 1 SC482418

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children and young people with physical and learning difficulties; two of whom may be placed under short-break arrangements. A private company operates the home. The manager has been registered since 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 12 November 2019

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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:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. 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: SC482418 2

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The care of children

Children are making good progress and have developed warm and trusting relationships with staff.

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The care of children

Children move into this home following a well-planned induction that is individualised to their complex needs. A range of professionals were very complimentary about the steps taken by the staff and the manager. An individualised booklet is forwarded to children before they move in which enables children to see the staff, the layout of the home and choose colours and personal items for their bedroom. This helps children to feel welcome and valued.

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The care of children

Children are supported to keep in touch with their families and other people who are important to them. During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have used technology to support this process. As restrictions have eased, children have been able to have face-to-face contact with their families with support from staff.

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The care of children

Staff ensure that the physical and emotional health needs of children are met. Staff liaise with specialist health professionals to ensure that complex needs due to conditions such as epilepsy are met. Children’s individual needs are supported by staff who receive training and specialist advice from children’s medical consultants and epilepsy nurses.

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The care of children

Staff have supported children to maintain their education throughout lockdown. The staff liaise with educational professionals on a daily basis. This enables children with complex medical needs and learning difficulties to receive a consistent, well-rounded approach to their education.

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The safety of children

Children’s complex needs are known and understood by staff. The staff ensure that knowledge gained from a variety of sources informs well-written risk assessments and behaviour support plans.

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The safety of children

Staff are vigilant and observant to ensure that children are protected from harm. High staffing levels and close supervision support the safe care of children. Staff recognise and respond to potential triggers to individual behaviour. They are attentive and nurturing in their communication and responses to children. This helps children to feel safe in their care.

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The safety of children

Staff use their knowledge and expertise to de-escalate children’s behaviour that may lead to potential harm. Physical intervention is only used to prevent further harm to children and others. Incidents of physical intervention are appropriately recorded and shared with relevant professionals. The manager reviews the records to monitor practice.

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The safety of children

Staff have taken time during the lockdown to discuss openly with children the current restrictions as a result of the pandemic. This has been done verbally through Assurance visit report: SC482418 3 key-work sessions and with pictorial guides to aid communication where required. This has helped to mitigate the risks to children and staff.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has maintained good communication with a range of professionals and with parents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to a period of stability and good child-centred practice. As a result, children are making good progress.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has focused on improving the home environment for children and on building a competent staff team. Staff benefit from regular reflective supervision, and their knowledge is tested through the use of case scenarios. This helps to create a learning culture that supports best outcomes for children.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is leaving, but leaders have ensured that a suitable replacement has been identified from within the team. A handover period has enabled an induction to take place to support the change. Children are to be informed as part of the plan to enable them to be emotionally supported in advance.

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Leaders and managers

The manager and leaders have a clear understanding of the development needs of the home and the staff. However, the views of children, their parents and professionals are not recorded in the quality of care report for the service. This does not enable the regulator to assess their crucial involvement in the provider’s plans for continuous improvement.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every six months. In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— the feedback and opinions of children about the children's home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it. 31 January 2021 Assurance visit report: SC482418 4 The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(b) (5))

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hennessy Living Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rickleton 1B, Bowes Offices, Lambton Park, Chester-le-Street DH3 4AN

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Inspector

Michael Dack, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC482418 5 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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