Children's home run by Kirklees Council in Kirklees

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC356963 1 SC356963 Registered provider: Kirklees Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority runs this home. The home provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2018.

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Inspection date: 6 February 2025

Date of last inspection: 23 October 2024

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Inspection date: 6 February 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 6 February 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: SC356963 2

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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

Children said that while there are some aspects of their care that they would like to change, they are happy with the care that they receive overall. The manager is aware of the issues that the children raised.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff use the local authority’s electronic recording system efficiently. Notably, a child’s social worker said that they received frequent updates from staff and the manager about the child’s care. This enables the local authority to work dynamically alongside staff and to better plan the children’s care.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager’s oversight and evaluation of incidents involving children are good. In one instance, this prompted staff to reflect on their practice associated with an incident when a child’s whereabouts were unknown. This shows clear accountability and a will to improve standards of care.

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Findings from the inspection

In one instance, a child’s written risk assessment included vague terms that were unhelpful to staff. Although the manager had a clear view of how staff should manage specific risks associated with a child, directions for staff in the written risk assessment were ambiguous. This increases the risk of staff misinterpreting the manager’s instructions.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff work collaboratively with health professionals to better meet the children’s health needs. However, staff do not always record important conversations with children that relate to the children’s health. Therefore, it is unclear how staff support children with their health needs on a day-to-day basis consistently. Consequently, this undermines accountability on a fundamental aspect of the children’s care.

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Findings from the inspection

Three requirements that were raised in the previous full inspection have been met. The recommendation associated with the review of the quality of care report has been carried over from the last inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC356963 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/05/2023 Full Inadequate 14/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC356963 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are consulted regularly on their views about the care they receive, and to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. In particular, the registered person should consider how children can best contribute to the manager’s review of the quality of care provided in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  The registered person should ensure that staff take a proactive role in looking after children’s day-to-day health and well-being. Where children have specific health needs or conditions, they should be supported to manage these needs, subject to the child’s age and understanding. In particular, the registered person should ensure that children’s written records reflect the support that children receive to lead healthier lifestyles. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations,

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Recommendations

including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.10)  The registered person should continually assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan, agreed between the home and their placing authority, should include details of the steps the staff will take to manage any assessed risks on a day-to-day basis. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC356963 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic 3, Market Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 2EY

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Inspectors

Steve Guirey, Social Care Inspector Deirdre Silkstone, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC356963 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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