Children's Home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

Inspection report for children’s home: 2701362 1 Registered provider: Wakefield Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a local authority. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home, and they were spoken with. Another child had recently moved out of the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2022.

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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

Date of last inspection: 12 November 2024

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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: 2701362 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/11/2024 Full Good 12/09/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2701362 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child spoke very positively about living in the home. They voiced that the staff work alongside them and that they have had new experiences during their time at the home. Memory books provide a clear story of the experiences that are offered to the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s meetings are adapted to the children’s needs and, at times, take place in an unstructured way. Staff support the discussion of world events and explore the ‘word of the month’. The recording shows the children are linking their own experiences to these discussions. The wishes of the children are clearly recorded, and there is detailed evidence that their requests have been listened to and actioned.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment has been adapted and made safe for children with specialist needs. Children are supported to understand the care offered to them through the use of social stories and adapted communication methods when they are required.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are provided with nurture and support from a knowledgeable team of staff who have adapted and worked under challenging circumstances. The level of care provided to the children has at no time been affected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is a focus for the children. Staff seek help from relevant professionals to support finding suitable school environments. Where provisions are identified as not suitable to meet the children’s needs, the staff continually escalate their concerns. They advocate for children until a provision is found that will enable the children to fulfil their potential.

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

This has been a challenging period, with a high number of serious incidents occurring. The recording of every incident is detailed, reflective and overseen by the manager. Children always receive detailed feedback from staff after an incident, and they are also supported to learn about any linked risks through supportive conversations.

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

Staff have a clear understanding of how to support the children in their care, and they act in line with the recorded plans. Staff know that children are at risk when they go missing from the home. The staff’s response helps to ensure children are found and returned home. When children are safely back at home, staff offer nurture and support, and if required, medical attention is sought.

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

Children live in a hazard-free home. Any maintenance issues and health and safety checks are prioritised by the staff to ensure the home is safe. Detailed testing is carried out with comprehensive recording. Where work is identified, it is actioned in a timely manner. Inspection report for children’s home: 2701362 4 Natural, restorative consequences are the focus in the home. These are supporting the children’s learning and the skills linked to their independence plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers in the home excel at meeting the needs of the children and the staff team. Managers are highly focused on providing the highest level of care and support to the children and continually advocating on their behalf.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers professionally challenge senior leaders. This ensures that the care provided to the children is in line with the children’s needs and wishes and not linked to financial decision-making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The children have been consulted in detail over the last year to ensure that their voices and wishes are heard. Their wishes and feelings have informed their care planning and the running and presentation of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers are invested in the well-being of the staff. Staff have been supported through a challenging period. Managers ensured that staff were emotionally supported but also professionally supported to fulfil their role. The managers created detailed training plans that were implemented to develop staff’s knowledge and confidence around deprivation of liberty orders.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have created an environment for staff and children that is linked to high aspirations and achievements. The expectations of the staff ensure that the lives of the children change positively, with them having access to varied new experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are strong professional relationships with external agencies. New, innovative approaches are now in place, and research is being used to support the team and improve the outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff supervision sessions include supportive discussions that encourage personal and professional reflection. There is a focus on the needs of the children and the professional needs of the staff team. Staff are supported to develop their knowledge and approaches with the use of care models and theories.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2701362 5

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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: 2701362 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Bond Street, Wakefield WF1 2QW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Cheryl Whitehouse

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Inspector

Rachel Moore, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2701362 7 regulates 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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