Children's Home run by Kirklees Council in Kirklees

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033326 1 SC033326

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a local authority. It provides care for up to four children who experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were three children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager was appointed on 4 December 2023. They are in charge of the day- to-day running of the home, and they are supported by the service manager.

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Information about this children’s home

During this assurance inspection, the inspector reviewed the progress and actions that the provider has taken to meet the compliance notices, and some of the requirements raised at the last inspection. This inspection included a review of documents, discussions with staff and the children’s social workers and one child.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 24 October 2023

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 3 and 4 July 2023. Serious and widespread failings meant the children were at risk of harm. Ofsted issued two compliance notices under regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and regulation 25, fire precautions to address this.

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Information about this children’s home

On 23 August 2023, the children’s home had a monitoring visit. The inspectors concluded from this visit that progress had been made in relation to the two compliance notices, which were deemed to be met overall. None of the requirements raised at the full inspection were reviewed during this monitoring visit. A new requirement was raised under regulation 12 to reflect the steps of the compliance notice that had not been fully met.

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Information about this children’s home

On the 24 and 25 October, the children’s home was judged inadequate for the second time. The inspectors concluded that none of the requirements had been met and two compliance notices were issued under regulation 12 and 13. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033326 2

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033326 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been no reported incidents that include children and unsafe situations since 25 October 2023.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s missing-from-home protocols are now up to date. However, the staff do not follow some of the actions that are in place. Furthermore, there are occasions when there are two non-drivers on shift, meaning that the staff cannot go out and look for children when they are missing from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are still not successful in engaging children in education and their school and college attendance remains a concern. Two children are not in any form of education, training or employment. A third child continues to be on a reduced timetable. This failure is not giving the children the best opportunity to achieve their educational goals so they can fulfil their future aspirations.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support the children through meaningful discussions to help them to cope when they are feeling sad. Staff make referrals to relevant support services to further support the children. Leaders and managers ensure that the staff receive specific training from therapeutic social workers. This helps the staff to respond effectively when they support children who may self-harm.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been one physical intervention since the last inspection. The record provided a detailed account of the incident and how staff supported the child. Senior leaders spoke to the staff and the child after the physical intervention. This means that all involved are given the opportunity to share their views and to learn from the incident.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have new monitoring and review systems in place that allows them to identify any shortfalls. They then ensure that any shortfalls are addressed and acted on quickly. Leaders and managers work with the staff to help improve their practice and to continue to increase their knowledge and skills of the role.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff and managers are supported to carry out their roles effectively as supervision sessions and support is offered by the management team. Leaders and managers hold regular team meetings and reflective supervision sessions with the staff to discuss their practice. Furthermore, the therapeutic team attend and supports these meetings. This helps to create a culture of learning and development.

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Findings from the inspection

The inspector concluded from this assurance visit that leaders and managers have met all parts of compliance notices under regulation 13. Three parts of the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033326 4 compliance notice under regulation 12 have been met and one part has been raised as a requirement. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033326 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/10/2023 Full Inadequate 03/07/2023 Full Inadequate 30/08/2022 Full Good 06/01/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033326 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

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; and

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(vi)) 5 January 2024

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers; 5 January 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033326 7 help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment; and

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(x))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 5 January 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to help the children to understand, and where necessary, work to change key areas of their health and well-being such as, but not limited to, nutrition and healthy diet. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.18)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any sanctions used to address poor behaviour should help the children to recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033326 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre 3, Huddersfield, Yorkshire HD1 2EY

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Inspector

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC033326 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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