Children's Home run by Gravitas Care Limited in Calderdale

Inspection report for children’s home: 1257706 1 Registered provider: Gravitas Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is managed by a private organisation. It offers care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the visit, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2024. The manager is also registered to manage another children’s home for the same provider.

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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: 1257706 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/06/2024 Full Good 12/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/08/2022 Full Good 14/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1257706 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has lived at the home since the last inspection and has benefited from consistent and stable care. This continuity has contributed to the progress they have made. A second child, who is new to the home, is beginning to form positive and trusting relationships with staff, and early signs of progress are evident. Both children were spoken with during the inspection and shared positive views about their experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child is beginning to make plans for their future and is developing their independence skills. Staff are supporting them well in taking these early steps, helping to build their confidence and prepare them for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain relationships with those who are important to them, including friends and family. Staff recognise the value of children having a strong network of support around them. When children form new friendships, staff take steps to welcome these friends into the home, getting to know them in the way a good parent would. This approach helps children feel supported and valued in their relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to take part in fun and meaningful activities that promote enjoyment and positive experiences. Children say that they enjoy activities such as go- karting, trips to the seaside, shopping and other outings. For one child who is new to the home, the staff have taken the time to learn about their individual interests and have used them as a foundation to build a positive and trusting relationship.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children are making some progress in their education, and one child has been enrolled for their exams. However, the children continue to be educated within the home. When children find it difficult to engage with their scheduled education, staff are not always consistent in promoting learning throughout the school day. As a result, there are occasions when children remain in bed or spend periods of time on gaming devices. This approach does not consistently support or prioritise educational progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to engage in meaningful discussions about important topics, such as healthy relationships, equality and diversity, staying safe and bereavement. These conversations help children navigate their feelings and better understand the world around them. However, there are occasions when staff miss opportunities to explore some of the issues raised by children in greater depth.

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

Children say that they feel safe in this home. They say that they have positive relationships with staff and feel comfortable approaching them with any concerns or issues they may have. Inspection report for children’s home: 1257706 4 When children go missing from the home, staff are proactive in searching for them and take immediate action to ensure their safe return. They work closely with the police and the child’s local authority to support the search and ensure that the child is located. Staff also focus on creating positive pull factors to encourage children to stay in the home, with the aim of reducing the likelihood of further missing-from-home incidents. At the time of the inspection, there had been a reduction in the number of such incidents for both children.

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

Consequences are not frequently used and, when they are, they are generally restorative or natural consequences. On one occasion, a financial penalty was imposed by a staff member; however, the manager supported the staff member to reflect on this decision. Following discussions with the child, the financial penalty was reduced, creating a positive outcome for both the child and the home. This approach encourages positive change and helps to maintain a supportive environment.

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

Fire drills are conducted monthly, with most children regularly participating. When new children move into the home, staff ensure that they understand the procedure. If any children struggle to engage in the drills, staff take the time to support them and ensure that they fully understand the importance of the procedure.

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

Staff are not yet providing consistent care when managing risk in relation to the dangers of vaping and in relation to vaping in the home. Clear and consistent approaches are not in place to ensure that children understand these risks and know how to make safer choices. Additionally, there are no plans in place to support the reduction of these risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is committed to ensuring that children are well cared for. She is focused on children’s well-being and progress. The manager has taken learning from the previous inspection and has made improvements to the quality of care provided to children. The manager feels better supported by the new responsible individual and is confident that, with his support, she will continue to develop the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about working in the home, and say that they enjoy their roles. They feel well supported by the management team members, who provide clear guidance and assistance. Staff have noted recent improvements in the home’s environment and culture, leading to a more positive atmosphere. This sense of support and positive change contributes to staff morale and increases their ability to provide good care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Management monitoring tools have been developed and are completed monthly by the manager, with more recent input from the responsible individual. These tools help the manager to have effective oversight of what is happening in the home and ensure that any issues are identified and promptly addressed. Inspection report for children’s home: 1257706 5 The manager takes swift and effective action to address any instances of poor staff practice, ensuring thorough investigations are conducted. Appropriate measures are taken to address concerns and to maintain a positive and supportive culture within the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1257706 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should tailor children’s care that is reflective of the child’s needs. In particular, this relates to further exploration and discussions with children around issues they may raise during direct work. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 21, paragraph 4.5)  The registered person should ensure that when children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or are not on a school roll for some other reason, the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured educational activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that staff consistently encourage children to take a proactive role in looking after their day-to-day health and well-being, including

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Recommendations

helping them to understand the risks related to vaping and the expectations of not vaping in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.10)

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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: 1257706 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Gravitas Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1-3, Annes Place, Pellon Lane, Halifax HX1 5RB

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Inspector

Jo Birtwhistle, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1257706 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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