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

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns and runs this home. The staff provide care for up to two children of any age, irrespective of gender.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in this home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

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

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/03/2023 Full Outstanding 15/02/2022 Full Outstanding 24/09/2019 Full Good 09/10/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The warm, welcoming and calm feel in the home, helps the children to feel a sense of belonging. In consultation with the children, some communal areas of the home have recently been redecorated. The lounge is colourful with child-friendly soft furnishings and new furniture in place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to make progress in their education. One child who has missed significant periods of education in the past, is now going to school and their attendance is gradually increasing. For one child who has yet to have a school identified, a tutor attends the home daily to provide this support. The child is working well with the tutor, and completing all the schoolwork provided. The staff continue to promote a culture of learning by supporting the children to attend educational activities and complete homework tasks. This increases the children’s independence skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience positive moves into the home that are in line with their needs. These moves are well planned and are done at the child’s pace. The manager visits the child, and they are supported to visit the home for tea and overnight stays prior to moving in. For one child who experienced some upset in their previous home, they were supported well to move into this home quickly. This enabled them to settle as quickly as possible. This approach benefits the children as it provides them with the best chance of a successful new start.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff provide ongoing support and guidance to children when they move into adulthood. Children’s independence skills have improved, and they are supported well to prepare for their move to their new home. When children move on, the staff remain in contact with them. This show’s children that the staff remain interested in their lives and still care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spend time with people who are important to them, and who they love the most. The children are supported to spend increased quality time, including overnight stays when agreed, with their families. Parents speak positively about the care that their children receive. One parent said, ‘[Name of child] is doing alright there. They are much more chilled and relaxed.’

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

Children say that they feel safe living in this home. They speak positively about the support that they receive from the staff. Staff help the children to take safe risks that are appropriate to their age and development, such as spending increased time away from the home on their own. The children are also helped to keep themselves safe when they use their electronic devices online. These are important skills that the children can continue to build on. Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 4 The need for the staff to use physical intervention with the children has declined. Staff only use this practice as a last resort to keep the children, and others safe. Children and the staff are spoken to after all incidents. The record of these incidents are overseen by specialist trainers, who are independent, with a focus on what could have been done differently. This practice aids with reflection and learning, which in

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

turn, helps the staff to manage the children’s behaviour more effectively.

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

The staff understand the children well. The staff know what causes upset and anxieties for the children and the staff know how to respond. Children’s risk assessments are clear, comprehensive, detailed yet concise. These assessments are individual to each child’s specific and differing needs. The safety plans are clear and provide the staff with strategies to help keep the children as safe as possible.

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

Children know how to complain. They have trusted staff who they feel able to share their worries and concerns with. Complaints made by the children are taken seriously. The managers and the staff follow up on all concerns raised by the children. The children are kept up to date and informed of the outcomes. This gives children the confidence that their voices will be heard.

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

Parents and professionals say that the children are safe in this home. They say that the children make progress and that they are kept as safe as possible. One professional said, ‘[Name of child] is more relaxed and open, and I know they are safe.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is passionate about his role. He knows the children well, and they know him. He spends time with the children, and he takes time to get to know their interests and hobbies. This ensures that the children receive a high level of care as the staff have a full understanding of the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is supported by a trainee manager, who is working towards taking over the management of this home. The staff speak positively about the managers; the staff feel that they are well supported by them with both work and personal matters.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The organisation invests in the development of the staff. There is a trainee management programme. Staff who are interested in progression are supported well to complete management tasks, training and qualifications. This approach helps to promote staff retention. This benefits the children as they are supported by a consistent staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

When safeguarding incidents occur, they are managed well by the manager and staff. The children are well supported, and their local authority social workers are updated. However, the manager has not notified Ofsted of these incidents consistently. This prevents Ofsted from maintaining good oversight of what is happening in the home, and from being assured that the appropriate action is being taken by all safeguarding agencies. Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 5 Team meetings are held regularly with good attendance from the staff. The manager disseminates useful learning to the staff that is in line with the children’s needs. The staff are actively involved in team meetings and useful discussions are generated. This helps the staff to share information, share knowledge and increases their understanding of the children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person must take to meet The Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person must comply within the given timescales.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)) 7 May 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Dove Adolescent Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Malvern View, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 4AD

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Inspector

Jo Birtwhistle, 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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