Children's Home run by Dove Adolescent Services Limited in Barnsley

Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 1 SC064454

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Registered provider: Dove Adolescent Services Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of this inspection. Both children were spoken with during the inspection.

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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 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: SC064454 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2024 Full Good 15/03/2023 Full Outstanding 15/02/2022 Full Outstanding 24/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are important in the home. Children are confident and comfortable in sharing their views and staff listen to the children. Any decisions and developments in relation to the home and the care offered to the children are safe. The changes made provide a home where children are happy and enjoy living there.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between children and staff are positive. The manager and staff speak warmly about the children and their personalities. Children are supported to understand risk and develop their independence. Staff support children to understand the impact actions can have on themselves and others, meaning children have typical age- appropriate childhood experiences. Children are given safe opportunities to spend time away from staff and the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is characteristic of a family home. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to their individual tastes and preferences. One child said that her bedroom is ‘how I like it.’ The home’s decor is modern, with new sofas and artwork. Children engage in the decoration of the whole home. One child worked with staff to change a display board in the home to be more meaningful for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with people who are important to them. Children maintain strong relationships with family and friends, seeing them regularly. Staff support children and their families to spend quality time together safely. This has resulted in relationships developing positively and strengthening family bonds.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children access a range of activities that they enjoy, including ‘young driver’ lessons and caravan holidays. Children’s cultures and identities are celebrated with creative and individual events held at the home. Beautifully presented memory books are created filled with photos of memories and personalised messages about these from staff. When children move out of the home, they receive these books to keep as enjoyable and positive memorabilia of their time at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children can struggle with attending health appointments. Staff provide individual support to each child to encourage their attendance. One child has now attended all routine health appointments and received important medical support. Education continues to be a struggle for children. Staff strongly advocate for children’s rights to education and work effectively with external agencies to provide appropriate adjustments.

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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 4 Children have made allegations against staff. The manager takes appropriate action to safeguard children. Thorough investigations are carried out with appropriate actions identified and outcomes finalised as soon as possible. When appropriate, restorative work takes place between the staff member and the child.

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

Staff are aware of children’s risks. Risk assessments detail children’s individual identified risks and provide clear strategies for staff to implement, reducing risk and promoting safety. Staff know the children well and support them in the least restrictive way possible. Staff regularly review children’s risks to ensure they identify any change and concerns, providing children with consistent and suitable support.

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

There have been significant incidents, including physical aggression and police callouts to the home. Staff have always acted appropriately and supported children to the best of their abilities. Children and staff have received emotional support following these incidents. Although difficult decisions have been made about children’s care, the registered manager has ensured that children’s safety and future are always the priority.

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

Leaders and managers follow safer recruitment procedures. Verification processes take place before newly appointed staff start work. The registered manager has oversight of staff recruitment. The induction provides staff the time to develop the knowledge and skills needed to support the children they care for. This ensures children are safe and cared for by suitable adults.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is dedicated and provides children with high-quality, personalised care. He is committed about children experiencing care in a ‘typical’ family home. Leaders and managers are aspirational for children and speak enthusiastically about children’s progress and achievement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has excellent oversight over all incidents. He is creative in providing research-informed training and guidance to staff. Team meetings provide a safe space for staff to reflect on practice and share ideas alongside regular discussions with the in-house child psychotherapist. These opportunities focus on the specific needs of children living in the home, enhancing staff’s knowledge and skills to meet children’s individual needs and promoting children’s safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has fostered positive relationships with relevant people. Feedback from professionals and family members is exceptionally positive. One parent said that the registered manager has ‘gone out of the way’ to meet their child’s specific needs. Professionals also commented on the efficient communication from the home and how the continuous support provided by the management team has resulted in effective care planning for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak highly of the registered manager. There are staffing vacancies. However, the manager ensures that the children receive their care and support from staff whom they Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 5 know and trust. The manager has a clear plan for future staffing, which is already being implemented. There has been no impact on children’s care through this period. One social worker said: ‘There have been no changes to [Child’s name] stability.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Management of the home is extremely effective and is supported by effective systems and processes. The registered manager monitors the quality-of-care children receive with scrutiny by carrying out audits and gaining feedback from a range of sources. Any development identified is swiftly implemented.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 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: 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

Sarah McGow, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC064454 8 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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