Children's home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

Inspection report for children's home: SC034162 1 SC034162 Registered provider: Wakefield Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by the local authority. It provides care for up to seven children who may have learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered with Ofsted and is suitably qualified.

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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 outstanding

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC034162 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/03/2022 Full Good 17/12/2019 Full Outstanding 11/02/2019 Full Outstanding 16/01/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC034162 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are four children living in the home. Since the last inspection, one child has moved on, and two children have moved into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children moving on from the home have well-planned and detailed transitions. Staff worked well together with the adult provider to ensure that the child’s new staff team understood the complexities of the child’s learning disability and their nonverbal cues. This has enabled the child to experience a positive move and they are reported to be thriving.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move into the home, the manager’s impact assessments show consultation with professionals. Children visit the home several times and spend time in their new environment. They are supported to choose their bedroom and furnish it to their tastes. This gives children a good starting point to feel welcomed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience stability and a sense of belonging at this home. One child has lived in the home for over nine years and has made good progress. Staff prepare children for adulthood through independence skills such as cleaning and putting away their laundry. These skills give children confidence and prepare them for a move towards independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff establish trusting relationships with children. Staff show genuine love and affection to all the children. One professional said that staff talked about looking after the children as if they were their own family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have good attendance in education and have their learning needs met. All children are working towards their educational goals and are making progress. The manager advocates for children in line with their wishes and feelings and their educational needs. For one child, this involved them being taught in a classroom setting as opposed to a one-to-one basis. The child is now thriving being with peers and has developed social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take all opportunities to improve children’s experiences. Children attend Zumba classes, drumming classes and youth clubs. Children benefit from these opportunities to spend time in the community where they make new friendships, build on their interpersonal skills and have fun.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff place great emphasis on supporting children to see their families. Staff have developed positive relationships with the children’s families. They keep families informed about all aspects of children’s lives. This includes children’s participation in activities and how well the children are doing. This open communication keeps families informed of the level of care children are receiving. Inspection report for children's home: SC034162 4 The home environment is clean, spacious and comfortable. The manager has addressed the recommendation from the last inspection and there are plans for the home to be refurbished. The children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their tastes. Children have meals together with staff and enjoy each other’s company. They also benefit from the various personalised spaces, depending on whether they want to be alone or together, and enjoy group activities. This considered approach

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

means children have good relationships and enjoy their time in the home.

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

Children feel safe. The high staffing levels meet each child’s individual needs. Children form strong attachments and identify staff that make them feel safe and secure in the home.

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

Staff ensure that incidents are managed well. Children are only held as a last resort. Staff know the children and refer to their training in de-escalation techniques before the need for holds are considered. When a hold has been used, these have been proportionate. Children are debriefed sensitively using their personalised communication methods. Staff are also supported to reflect with the manager after incidents. This means staff have an opportunity to think about and reflect on their practice. Learning from incidents is evident and has been used to avoid incidents being repeated.

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

Staff have a comprehensive understanding of children’s risks and they respond well to mitigate any concerns. This includes ensuring that the children’s personal space is designed and furnished to keep children safe. Curtains and blinds are removed, and children’s dignity is preserved through the use of frosted glass. Children’s beds and furnishings are such that they don’t pose any risk to children. The consideration that has gone into the style of dining chairs shows that the staff and manager have taken advice from professionals who understand the children’s individual needs and behaviours. This reduces the children’s anxiety and helps them feel protected.

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

Staff have an immense knowledge of the vulnerabilities of children with complex disabilities. Staff deliver care to children that supports children to thrive. A social worker commented that, since a child moved into the home, ‘He [the child] has become more confident and speaks in a loud voice as opposed to whispering.’

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

New staff have been recruited since the last inspection. The manager has followed safer recruitment practice and staff are in a period of probation, having had a detailed induction. Staff take part in online and face-to-face training that provides them with the skills and knowledge to work with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is an exceptional level of stability in the leadership and management of the home. The registered manager has a wealth of experience and has been in the role for over 10 years. This ensures stability and consistency for the staff team and children. Inspection report for children's home: SC034162 5 The manager’s visible presence in the home ensures that she has strong oversight of both staff practice and the children’s care. She is supported by very experienced assistant managers who, between them, cover shifts and work directly with children to better understand their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The professionals spoken to were extremely positive about the home, the manager and staff, and the positive impact they have on the children’s lives. Staff are relentless and advocate in providing the best possible care and outcomes for children. This provides security and stability for children and reiterates to children that staff care about them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Effective internal monitoring and evaluation means that the manager understands the impact of the care on children’s experiences, progress and outcomes. Meaningful consultation with professionals and families and the children is used to improve children’s experiences. The operations manager maintains oversight and support to the managers. This demonstrates highly effective and supportive leadership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s records are clear, accurate and up to date. They capture the child’s voice and information is exceptionally detailed. The evidence of the children’s progress is well embedded in children’s plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a strong advocate for training and provides excellent opportunities for staff to further develop their skills and knowledge. Staff have had training in autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy and sensory needs for children. This targeted training allows staff to respond to the individual needs of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager holds structured and regular team meetings that are a forum to discuss research in practice. Staff are encouraged to have discussions to develop their knowledge and skills. For example, a discussion on the Mental Capacity Act led staff to think about what they included in the children’s care plans and risk assessments, and what it meant if a child was on a court order. This means staff are more informed when updating children’s reports.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have regular and in-depth supervisions that contribute to their development. They have opportunities to reflect on their practice and promote learning. Staff feel empowered and this is reflected in the high morale within the staff team. Inspection report for children's home: SC034162 6

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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: SC034162 7

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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 WF1 2QW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Cheryl Whitehouse

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Inspector

Aasia Hussain, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC034162 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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