Children's home run by Calderdale Council in Calderdale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC035154 1 SC035154 Registered provider: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by the local authority and provides care for up to five children. The aim of the home is to apply the model of care to support children to be able to return home, to foster carers or to independent living.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2020.

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Inspection date: 13 January 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 13 January 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC035154 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has a clear vision for the home and is focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for the children. The manager responds well to feedback from other professionals, including Ofsted and independent visitors, and has implemented plans to improve practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s education attendance and attainment have improved. The staff team is working with teachers and the children to improve this further. Children receive support to engage in structured activities with the team and their peers. As a result, children have positive relationships with the staff team and with each other and are engaging less in risky behaviours outside the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager was proactive in challenging and escalating concerns regarding the risks of the local area for one child and worked with the social worker to implement a clear plan to support a positive move out of the home. This provided the child with a positive ending and helped her to understand the reasons for moving.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and responsible individual recognise the complex needs of the children currently living at the home. They have made the proactive decision to put a temporary hold on any other children moving into the home. This is to help ensure that children remain settled and at ease.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have managed children’s complex health needs extremely well. This is an area of excellent practice and shows the commitment and knowledge they have of the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team has completed training to ensure that its members have the skills and knowledge needed to meet the children’s needs. Additionally, the manager has shared safety plans for children with all those connected to them to enable children to have the support they need when not in the home; this includes the children’s schools and peer group. This helps to ensure that important information is known.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments and safety plans are of a high quality and provide clear guidance for any staff working in the home. During the inspection, a significant health incident took place for one child and the inspector observed excellent practice from the staff team, who supported the child calmly and sensitively. This enabled both children to have the reassurance and additional help they needed during the incident. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035154 3 Staffing levels have improved. This has helped to promote consistency for the children. A recent COVID-19 outbreak in the home was managed well, with all members of the team covering additional shifts to support the children. Children have a clear understanding of the virus and how to help protect themselves and others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff practice of routinely locking doors at night-time has not changed. This is not proportionate to the risk posed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has focused on supporting the children and ensuring that their needs are met and has full oversight of all documents relating to them. However, supervisions for staff are not up to date. This does not provide staff with individual reflection or feedback to improve practice. However, staff say that they feel well supported and team meetings provide them with an opportunity to share learning and to ensure that plans are clear. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035154 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/04/2018 Full Outstanding 04/09/2017 Full Outstanding 08/11/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC035154 5

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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, 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 privacy of children is appropriately protected;

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, all communal areas should be accessible to the children and any restrictions on this should be proportionate to the risk presented and regularly reviewed.

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Requirement Due date

This is a repeated requirement. 31 March 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 31 March 2022

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Recommendation

 The registered manager should ensure that the home’s statement of purpose is regularly reviewed and amended. It must clearly state any restriction of liberty that may be used, including locking of any doors, and how this will be reviewed Inspection report for children’s home: SC035154 6 and agreed with other professionals. The updated document should be sent to Ofsted within 28 days. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5)

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Information about this inspection

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.

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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 for children’s home: SC035154 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Calderdale School Effectiveness Service, 2nd Floor, Westgate House, Westgate, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 1PS

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Inspector

Debra Boldy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC035154 8 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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