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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC060811 1 SC060811 Registered provider: Dove Adolescent Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. The home provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties. There is currently one child living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There are two registered managers due to a period of handover. The registered manager who will continue to manage the home has been in post since 2010.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 19 October 2021

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC060811 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/11/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/12/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC060811 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support the child on a one-to-one basis. The staff team is stable and experienced, which helps the child to develop positive relationships. They have sustained effective relationships over a significant period.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is promoted in the home. The staff have supported the child to develop an understanding of their own academic strengths. This has helped the child to prepare for moving into the next phase of education and training, setting achievable targets.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support the child with their health needs and promote engagement with health services. Medication reviews have taken place and annual reviews of the child’s health are complete. Specialist services have been sourced to ensure the right treatment and advice are available for the child.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide the child with appropriate support to prepare for adulthood. This is planned in a thoughtful way which is specific to their individual needs. Staff promote independence, and the child’s self-care skills have improved.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff plan activities in consultation with the child. They encourage the child to take part in activities outside of the home. This has developed the child’s self- esteem and confidence.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers are proactive in helping the child to maintain positive relationships that are important to them. Even when this involves significant travel, the staff support the arrangements.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A family member said of their child’s progress,

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

‘The biggest change I have seen is over the last seven months. [Child’s name] has kept out of any major trouble. Staff have helped keep [child’s name] safe.’

p.3

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

Episodes of the child going missing from the home have reduced and are low in number and infrequent. When the child has gone missing, staff respond quickly, which has supported their return. Follow-up discussions with the child have resulted in their views being listened to. This has contributed to a reduction in risks.

p.3

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

Return home interviews have usually taken place. However, on one occasion when did this not happen, it was not escalated by the manager. This can reduce the opportunity for the child’s views to inform future practice and is a missed Inspection report for children’s home: SC060811 4 opportunity to discuss any risks to the child.

p.3

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

Staff and professionals use multi-agency meetings to review the risk assessments. Specialist services, including social care and the police, are involved in decision- making. This ensures there is a joint approach to risk management.

p.4

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

The manager is not risk-averse and allows the child to take age-appropriate risks in line with their ability. Managers review decisions and plans to ensure they continue to be current and effective in safeguarding the child.

p.4

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

Staff promote the use of incentives to encourage positive behaviour. Incidents are well documented and demonstrate a consistent approach from the staff team. Sanctions are proportionate and in line with the child’s age and ability.

p.4

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

The recruitment process for new staff is in line with safer recruitment practice. Staff returning to the home undergo the same recruitment checks as all candidates. This minimises risks and helps to ensure that only safe adults are employed to care for children at the home.

p.4

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

A fire risk assessment has been completed by an appropriately qualified person. However, it is not clear how the registered provider has responded to the shortfalls identified. This increases risks because it is not clear if adequate precautions are in place.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the child’s needs. The child’s history and early childhood experiences are well understood and are considered in their care planning.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Opportunities for staff to reflect on practice are well utilised. Staff and managers consult with a psychotherapy clinician. This helps them to develop their understanding of the child’s needs, identify appropriate strategies and reflect on practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions are frequent and staff feel well supported. Performance is monitored and shortfalls in practice are addressed. Managers are present at the home and provide extra support when needed. In addition, peer supervision further assists staff to reflect on their practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is good management oversight of risk assessments, care plans and incidents. Managers challenge staff and other professionals when practice is not in line with expectations.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Previous shortfalls in the home’s condition have been actioned by the manager. However, there is still no clear development plan for the home. The home presents as unkempt, and redecoration has not taken place to make it more homely. The Inspection report for children’s home: SC060811 5 provider plans on closing the home, but there are no clear timescales.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An independent person completes a regular review of the home. However, the independent person’s reports do not show that consultation with family members or key professionals happens consistently. This reduces the ability of the independent person to undertake a robust review of the home. The manager mitigates this shortfall through her own consultation with stakeholders, which informs improvements at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC060811 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that there is a clear plan for repairs and redecoration. This plan should be continuously reviewed to ensure the home is a warm and welcoming environment.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure carpets are cleaned or replaced when damaged and broken furniture fixed or replaced. 30 September 2022

p.6

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

p.6

Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority's or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each 30 September 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC060811 7 child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the placing authority provides the opportunity for an independent return home interview. Where this does not occur, the registered person should escalate this.

p.7

Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

p.7

Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must have a clear action plan that details how the provider is adequately addressing each of the shortfalls identified in the fire risk assessment. 30 September 2022

p.7

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person undertakes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home. In particular, the independent person should seek to consult and gather regular feedback from key professionals and family members. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

p.7

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: SC060811 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Dove Adolescent Services Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

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

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered managers: Kirsten Campbell Charlotte Marley

p.8

Inspector

Sadie Mulkeen, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC060811 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.

p.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9