Children's home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

Inspection report children's home: SC428084 1 SC428084 Registered provider: Wakefield Metropolitan District Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority service provides short-break care for up to seven children who have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities, and/or associated complex healthcare needs. In addition to meeting the children’s social care needs, the service also provides nursing care and is registered with the Care Quality Commission. The home currently supports 33 children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since November 2019.

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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.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 26 November 2019

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC428084 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/11/2019 Full Outstanding 03/10/2018 Full Good 09/01/2018 Full Outstanding 27/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC428084 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children benefit tremendously from their short breaks. The high-quality care from the staff enables children to have a good time, and to continue to flourish. One parent said: ‘It’s the best thing I ever did for [Name of child]. She has thrived, and it has given her independence.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive a warm and friendly welcome from the staff, regardless of whether they are new to the home or returning for a short break. New children are invited for tea visits. They are allowed to settle at their own pace, which offers parents ample reassurance before their child has overnight stays.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

As a result of the positive support from the staff team, children have been able to successfully transition to new environments, including foster care, long-term residential care and adult services.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff are very familiar with the children’s personalities and behaviours, which results in a sense of trust and positive relationships between them. Staff speak affectionately about the children. They enjoy spending time with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well matched because the home’s matching process considers their needs, interests and friendships. Consequently, children’s stays are enriched and some of the friendships have continued after children leave the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

While parents are ultimately responsible for their children’s education, the staff play an important role in ensuring their attendance at school during stays and supporting their education plans. One education professional confirmed the benefits of having regular communication with the staff and sharing the home-school book.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children’s education is extended informally through discussions between the staff and older children regarding their personal identity and sexual health. Staff go to great lengths to engage the children successfully. They access appropriate resources and bespoke training to develop strategies to support the children. Staff involve the children in sorting out which items of rubbish can be recycled, which gives the children a chance to participate in protecting the environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff are very strong advocates for children and their families, which has led to positive outcomes for the children. This also demonstrates the high aspirations that the staff have for the children in their care. Children’s wishes and feelings are listened to and acted on where possible.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children enjoy a wide range of activities, and are encouraged to try new pursuits inside and away from the home. The children enjoy spending time in the sensory and play rooms, the new play kitchen and the library. Children have opportunities to bake and develop their independence skills. Children’s social Inspection report children’s home: SC428084 4 inclusion and self-esteem are enhanced through playing with resources such as dolls that represent children with additional needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from stays in a homely, welcoming and pleasant place that is maintained to a high standard. The photos of the children around the home reflect the children’s activities and an abundance of resources and equipment that meet the children’s needs.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The children are protected by an open and honest safeguarding culture. Parents and social workers have confidence that the children are safe during their stay. One parent said of their child’s stay: ‘I know he is safe and happy.’ Another parent said: ‘I believe she is safe 100%, and well cared for.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff thoroughly understand the children’s distinctive risks and vulnerabilities, as many of them have known the children for a long time. The staff adhere to the agreed strategies described in the children’s care plans, risk assessments and protocols. Consequently, the staff are guided to care for children safely, which minimises the risk of harm.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The nursing staff are sufficiently skilled and trained to provide high-quality care and treatment for children with complex and life-limiting health conditions. Staff collaborate with other health service providers as needed to ensure that children are effectively safeguarded, and their needs are met to a high standard.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s complex health needs and behaviours have been well managed, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Combined with the impeccable standard of hygiene, this has decreased the risk of infection and has allowed children to continue to visit.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children are supported effectively by staff who use the agreed strategies to keep them safe. Children learning to deal with their behaviour, such as behaviour resulting from anxiety, is an exceptionally good example of how staff help the children to develop self-regulation skills. However, one child has left the home undetected on two occasions, but staff have not completed safety work with this child, in line with the actions raised at the time.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff team continues to benefit from the expertise of a staff member who is qualified and trained in an approved method of behaviour management. Their advice and guidance have been disseminated in a publication produced by the organisation. The staff team and parents continue to benefit from the behaviour management training, which encourages consistent parenting.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Physical intervention is not used often. Creative and child-friendly interventions are used to prevent the need for physical intervention. However, not all of the physical interventions used are approved methods. Inspection report children’s home: SC428084 5 Safeguarding incidents are taken very seriously by the staff team, and have been referred and acted on appropriately. This has been in conjunction with other agencies, such as the local authority designated officer, social care and the police. Practice has been improved as a result of managers and staff learning from incidents, in particular one of the serious incidents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has substantial knowledge and expertise in regard to supporting children with complex needs and their families. The registered manager works with the three motivated, skilled and experienced deputy managers. Together, they provide a strong management team that promotes a positive ethos and culture. Their hands-on and visible approach leads the team by example and keeps the best interests of children and families central to their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The managers play a crucial role in enhancing the children’s quality of life through their short breaks. This allows managers to be proactive and responsive when children’s unmet needs are identified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff are highly committed to, and enthusiastic about, caring for the children and supporting families. No staff have left and they express high levels of job satisfaction, and support one another effectively. One staff member said: ‘I feel privileged to work with the children here. It is a real honour, and I am proud of the relationships with the children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff find the managers approachable and feel supported by them. Their participation in regular supervisions, handovers and training opportunities keeps the team up to date and validates their skills. Similarly, two of the nursing managers delivered training to another organisation to ensure that they could provide safe care for a child who had left the home. Staff promote the continuity of care for children from one setting to another through role-modelling good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership work is effective, and compliments are plentiful. Professionals, without exception, commend the management and staff team. They rate the quality of communication highly and confirm that the representative from the home attends all meetings and provides reports in a timely manner. A social worker said: ‘They live up to their name and what they deliver.’ Similarly, parents speak highly about the service. One parent said: ‘They are amazing, they really are.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The quality of care review report does not evaluate the views of parents, professionals and staff. This results in a lack of clarity as to how the registered manager considers their views to inform service developments.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Two recommendations were raised at the last inspection. One recommendation that relates to the statement of purpose has been met. At the time of the inspection, the registered manager could not evidence that the second recommendation, regarding the verification of references, has been met. This is repeated. Inspection report children’s home: SC428084 6

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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

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure.

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and 6 May 2022 Inspection report children’s home: SC428084 7 within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the measures of physical intervention are always used in accordance with the approved training model.

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Requirement Due date

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 (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the views of parents, placing authorities and staff are included consistently in the quality of care review reports. 6 May 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that if there is a risk that a child may run away or go missing, staff should do their best to help them understand the risks and dangers involved and make them aware of how to seek help if they do run away. This refers specifically to the registered manager ensuring that when staff have been assigned to do safety work with the children, this work is completed as soon as possible. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.27)  As set out in regulations 31–33, the registered person should ensure that they are responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) This recommendation was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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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 children’s home: SC428084 8

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Cheryl Whitehouse

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Inspector

Jacqueline Malcolm, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC428084 9 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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