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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 1 SC064454 Registered provider: Dove Adolescent Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and run. It provides care and accommodation for up to two children. The home accommodates children of any age, irrespective of gender. However, the children are normally between 12 and 18 years old.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since 13 September 2021 and is in the process of completing his level 5 in leadership and management.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.1

outstanding

Date of last inspection: 24 September 2019

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/09/2019 Full Good 09/10/2018 Full Good 01/11/2017 Full Good 13/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 3

p.2

outstanding

Children receive exceptional care from a dedicated and committed staff team. They have a well-planned and warm welcome when they move into the home, and this helps them to settle quickly and feel an immediate sense of belonging.

p.3

outstanding

Children’s experiences are very much tailored to their individual interests and what they enjoy doing and what they are good at. This helps them with their self- confidence and gives them aspirations for their future.

p.3

outstanding

Achievements, however small, are celebrated and this encourages children to feel a sense of pride in what they do. A virtual head commented, ‘The staff team has gone above and beyond to ensure that [Name of child] is provided with stimulating activities alongside education. This has been extremely positive for his well-being.’

p.3

outstanding

Professional feedback is really positive. This stems from the point when a child comes to live at the home to their transition into independence and adulthood. There is evidence of excellent partnership working that contributes to the support and progress that the children have made in all aspects of their lives.

p.3

outstanding

Children are making tremendous progress relative to their starting points. Children put roots down and want to stay until they reach independence. They say that they see their future living at this home. This is testament to the stability of the staff team and the close relationships that have developed between staff and the children. Children who leave the home are well prepared and move on with confidence.

p.3

outstanding

Staff know how to engage with the children, listen to them and help them to share any anxieties, worries or concerns they may have. Creative ways and different approaches to improving children’s mental health and well-being are being achieved. Children enjoy horse riding, going to the gym and have active lifestyles that keep them busy and healthy.

p.3

outstanding

The children are making progress in their education. The manager has worked tirelessly with virtual schools to identify the right resource. Equally, the children have been given support and guidance around vocational learning and employment that has given the children the confidence to apply for jobs, attend interviews and adapt to the world of work.

p.3

outstanding

The home environment is very warm and welcoming. Children are encouraged to help plan and decorate their home. One child has designed a feature wall in her bedroom and in the lounge. The children keep journals that give them lasting memories, and photos adorn the walls reminding them of all their escapades and fun times. Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 4 The admission process is robust and includes the completion of a shared living risk assessment, which allows the children’s needs to be carefully matched with children already living at the home.

p.3

outstanding

Staff use a very calming approach to managing negative behaviour, and they are adept at unpicking with children what the core problem is. Staff listen to the children, but are consistent in implementing rules and boundaries around acceptable behaviour. This means that the use of restraint to manage behaviour is a rarity.

p.4

outstanding

There has only been one missing-from-home episode. This is because children do not have a reason to abscond. Relationships with the children are based on mutual respect and trust and children’s free time is balanced against potential risk and the need for increased independence.

p.4

outstanding

Staff are clear on what to do and how to support children to be safe and feel safe. Multi-agency working and regular communication with professionals are instrumental in ensuring that children are protected from harm. Care plans and risk assessments are individualised and underpin staff practice.

p.4

outstanding

Risk management is proportionate, and incidents in the home or in the community are few and far between. On the rare occasion an incident of concern has happened, immediate action has been taken, procedures are followed and focused work with the children is completed. Children are able to reflect on their behaviour and this helps them to make better choices.

p.4

outstanding

The manager seldom uses agency workers, as retention of staff is very good. There has been little change in the staff team as permanent staff have worked at the home for significant periods of time. This has provided continuity of care, as staff know the children very well and understand how early childhood experiences make them more vulnerable. Safe recruitment practice and robust vetting processes ensure that adults are safe to work with children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is an aspirational leader and a good role model for the children and the staff. The manager is extremely child centred and endeavours to give the children opportunities they quite rightly deserve. One child has a pony on loan, something she has dreamt of having. Another child has guitar lessons and the manager said, ‘[Name] is nearly up to my standard in classical guitar, I am so proud of him.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff will advocate on behalf of the children and challenge decisions made that are not felt to be in their best interests. This ensures that the Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 5 children have the best possible outcomes, and their prospects for the future have improved as a result.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager uses research to enhance practice and support learning in areas such as mental health in children and the importance of working as a team in children’s residential care. This ensures staff have the necessary skills and experience, and are clear about their roles and responsibilities that see children thriving in their care.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular supervision and yearly appraisals. The inspector noted the reflective nature of supervision and staff said they felt ‘valued’ and ‘supported’ by the manager. There is a culture of openness and warmth that replicates a home environment for the children to flourish in.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Robust monitoring and auditing processes are in place, and these are used to inform developments in the home and identify strengths and weaknesses. Collaborative and partnership working is excellent across education, health and care, and this contributes to improved outcomes for the children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 6

p.5

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: SC064454 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Dove Adolescent Services Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Malvern View, Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4AD

p.7

Inspector

Cath Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8