Children's Home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

Assurance visit report: SC062573 1 SC062573

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The home is managed by an experienced and appropriately qualified manager, who has been registered with Ofsted since December 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.

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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. Assurance visit report: SC062573 2

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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.

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The care of children

Staff establish positive relationships with the children. Staff provide nurturing care, which gives children stability and supports them to settle into the home. One child said, ‘I can go to any staff and talk to them if I need to.’

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The care of children

Children are cared for by a consistent staff team, who provide routines and boundaries for the children. Children are supported by staff in their day-to-day care to help them to develop and achieve.

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The care of children

Staff have promoted children’s education during the COVID-19 pandemic with a mixture of formal and informal learning. Children have benefited from this approach. This has made it easier for some children to return to school.

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The care of children

Where appropriate, staff have supported children to remain in touch with family. Children have benefited from face-to-face time with family and friends as the COVID-19 restrictions have changed.

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The care of children

The staff team celebrates children’s achievements. These are captured in memory books and on DVDs. This provides children with positive memories of their time living at the home.

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The care of children

A dedicated staff team supports and prepares children to move on from the home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, three children have moved on from the home. Staff have worked with all professionals to ensure that the children have a smooth transition either to an alternative residential placement or to semi-independence. One young person remains in contact with the staff at the home. This is a testament to the good relationships they have developed.

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The safety of children

The staff have open and honest discussions with the children to help them understand the COVID-19 pandemic and how to keep themselves safe.

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The safety of children

Good risk assessments and management plans identify children’s individual behaviours. The plans provide the staff team with strategies to help manage and reduce children’s risk-taking behaviours. Staff give children the opportunity to discuss and reflect in individual sessions how they can keep themselves safe.

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The safety of children

Incidents of missing from home reduced since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. When children have gone missing, the staff have referred to the individual missing- Assurance visit report: SC062573 3 from-care protocols. Staff attempt to locate children and return them safely to the home.

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The safety of children

Staff promote positive behaviour with children. Any negative behaviour is challenged and discussed with children. As a result, sanctions and physical interventions have been minimal and only used when necessary.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has a good understanding of the individual needs of the children. She has full oversight of the home and the care provided for the children by the staff team.

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Leaders and managers

The manager and assistant manager provide regular supervision for the staff team. This allows staff to reflect on their practice and provide good care for all of the children. Staff speak positively of the support they have received during the COVID- 19 pandemic.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has effective monitoring and quality assurance systems in place. She knows the strengths and areas for development of the staff and the home. She uses the information to support herself and the staff team to meet the children’s individual needs and improve overall outcomes for the children.

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Leaders and managers

Independent visits have taken place remotely and on site during the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that the regulator has been provided with an overview of the safety and well-being of the children living at the home.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has ensured that effective multi-agency working has continued during these unprecedented times. Children’s needs have been met with joined-up responses and approaches from professionals.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Wakefield Council, County Hall, Bond Street, Wakefield, Yorkshire WF1 2QW

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Inspector

Sue Hatton, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC062573 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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