Children's home run by Wakefield Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2706449 1 Registered provider: The Council of the City of Wakefield

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Full inspection 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 two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. Two children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in March 2023, and the suitably qualified manager was registered in February 2024.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2706449 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/08/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2706449 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress because of the care that they receive. Staff care for children with warmth and empathy. This helps children to develop strong and trusting relationships with staff. As a result of these positive relationships, children invest in the home and respond to the care that they receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to share their views and wishes about the care that they receive. Regular discussions take place where children talk about activities, menus and other matters. Recently, children chose the decor for their bedrooms. This allows children to have a sense of pride in their home and promotes their well-being. Both children were spoken with during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical and emotional health and well-being are promoted by staff. Children trust staff and so talk to them about their concerns. In addition, staff provide the necessary support to ensure that children’s routine appointments and health checks are up to date. Children are encouraged to eat a balanced diet. These actions help to ensure that children’s health is maintained.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff work in partnership with education providers and encourage the children to attend school. When barriers to learning occur, staff work closely with education professionals and the social work team to ensure that children receive education tailored to their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff create a nurturing environment in the home. They encourage children to enjoy meals together. Children have opportunities to play and do activities, both at home and in the community. In addition, staff recognise the importance of supporting children to stay connected with important people in their lives. Staff facilitate family time and help children to remain in touch with their families.

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

Children have detailed risk management plans that are regularly reviewed and updated. These documents provide very clear guidance and strategies for staff to follow to keep children safe. Children’s risk of harm is reducing over time. Staff work well with other professionals to understand children’s vulnerabilities. This ensures that children are safeguarded effectively.

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

The clinical team works alongside staff to develop strategies to support children and meet their needs. Regular consultation with clinicians is used well and is effective in improving staff practices. This allows staff to understand the reasons behind some behaviours and provides a nurturing environment for children. As a result, there has been only one incident where a child was physically held by staff to prevent them from harming themselves or others. Inspection report for children’s home: 2706449 4 Children rarely go missing from home. When children leave the home without permission, staff follow clear procedures to ensure that children are kept safe. Staff educate children around risks. Children take part in group discussions and individual sessions to talk about various topics, such as online safety and bullying. This positive work enhances children’s knowledge of risk and allows them to learn to keep

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

There is a robust process in place to ensure that the people who work with the children are checked and vetted before working in the home. This gives assurances that only suitable people are supporting children in the home. This helps to ensure that children are better protected from harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a change of manager since the last inspection. The new manager is equally ambitious for the staff team to offer excellent care to children. The manager is a positive role model for children and staff. She is supported by a deputy manager to embed the ethos of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the strengths and areas for development in the home. She uses a range of monitoring tools to track the children’s progress and development. Internal and external monitoring systems enable the management team to review the quality of care that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they feel well supported by the management team. Most of the staff have been at the home for a considerable period of time. They benefit from regular team meetings and training. Staff complete various training, including courses that are specific to the needs of the children living in the home. This ensures that children are cared for by staff who are equipped to meet their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

In the main, staff receive reflective supervision. However, this has not been consistent since the last inspection. This is a missed opportunity to drive forward improvements in the home. The management team is addressing this area.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff work closely with professionals such as social workers, therapists and educational professionals. This provides children with consistent joined-up care and support. Inspection report for children’s home: 2706449 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 2706449 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Council of the City of Wakefield

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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

Evelyn Chafota, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2706449 7 and inspects 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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