Children's home run by Calderdale Council in Calderdale

Inspection report for children's home: SC035155 1 SC035155 Registered provider: Calderdale Council

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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 run by a local authority. It provides overnight breaks for up to 5 children with physical and/or learning disabilities at any one time.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 27 children were having a maximum of 74 overnight breaks per year. On the date of the inspection, 2 children were staying overnight, and the inspector spent time with both of them.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced manager who registered with Ofsted in July 2013.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children's home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC035155 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/03/2025 Full Good 18/03/2024 Full Outstanding 28/02/2023 Full Outstanding 26/10/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC035155 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff provide consistent, nurturing and highly individualised care and demonstrate a thorough understanding of each child. Children make progress that is fitting to their time at this short-break home and aligned with their disability and complex learning needs. Staff show an increasingly skilled use of a wide range of communication and engagement techniques. This contributes to noticeable improvements in children's quality of life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children's wishes and feelings, likes and dislikes are actively sought and applied in daily practice and care. Staff recognise that this is an ongoing process and adapt their approaches as children become more familiar with them. Staff are particularly proactive in enhancing children's experiences and ensuring that even the smallest achievements are celebrated. This promotes a positive and empowering culture.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Communication with social workers, education providers, health professionals and parents is strong and sustained. This means that children receive the highest possible standard of coordinated care. Staff have a clear understanding of each child's behavioural and emotional needs. Regular reviews and updates to care plans ensure that support remains responsive to children's changing needs and vulnerabilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff maintain detailed records of daily living activities and progress linked to children's goals and targets. There is an abundance of photos where children are seen to be having fun and enjoying themselves. The home's minibus means that children can go far and wide, such as to the beach, an aquarium, a butterfly farm and many more places. Staff talk so fondly of the children and, likewise, children have close attachments with their key workers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Feedback from professionals and parents is overwhelmingly positive. They highlight strong collaborative working and effective communication. This partnership approach means that the most vulnerable children benefit from improved experiences and outcomes. It reflects the high level of trust and confidence placed in the service.

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

Each child has a comprehensive risk assessment and behaviour support plan that clearly outlines their assessed risks and vulnerabilities. These documents are accessible, well structured and easy for staff to navigate. This enables staff to implement appropriate strategies to reduce risk effectively. As a result, children benefit from consistent and informed care.

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

The matching of children who receive respite is managed sensitively and with careful consideration. This approach minimises potential risks and promotes positive Inspection report for children's home: SC035155 4 experiences. Children are supported to develop safe and meaningful peer relationships. It contributes to a calmer environment for some and has supported a reduction in the use of restrictive measures when children have been in crisis.

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

Children's complex health needs are known, and appropriate healthcare plans and systems are in place. Managers implement protective measures to ensure that children are effectively safeguarded. The administration and recording of medication has been reviewed, resulting in increased oversight and auditing processes. This means that children's health and safety remain a priority.

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

Staff are experienced and well trained in managing risk. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of individual behaviour. They respond effectively to the behavioural impact of each child's learning needs and disabilities. De-escalation techniques are used confidently to manage a child in crisis. Physical intervention is only used as a last resort and solely to prevent harm.

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

Managers and staff understand and follow procedures for responding to concerns about a child's safety and wellbeing. Concerns are escalated promptly through appropriate safeguarding channels.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership of the service is highly self-improving. The manager and deputy manager demonstrate a clear and ambitious vision for the service. The home is exceptionally well managed, ensuring that children receive high-quality care and parents are supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers bring extensive experience and are qualified to lead practice to a high standard. Their leadership inspires confidence and drives continuous improvement and creativity in a climate of limited resources.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team is stable, experienced and long-standing, which provides children with consistency, reliability and security. Staff go above and beyond in all aspects of the care they deliver. Their commitment ensures that children experience minimal disruption to their daily routines and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Parents have commented on the unconditional care that the staff give to their children. Parents have also commented on the unequivocal support they have received, often going well beyond their duty of care. One parent said, 'My daughter's key worker has helped our family so much. I am not sure what would have happened if they had not supported us.'

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff bring a wealth of experience to their role. They receive regular and purposeful supervision sessions that strengthen their practice and support their professional development. Monthly team meetings are well attended by staff and provide a valuable forum for reflection and shared learning. This structured support contributes to a confident and cohesive staff team. Inspection report for children's home: SC035155 5 The staff team is exposed to a wide range of training opportunities and the manager puts great emphasis on continuous professional development. Staff feel extremely supported by managers. This positive feedback reflects an ethos of encouragement, learning and growth. Inspection report for children's home: SC035155 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: SC035155 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Princess Buildings, Princess Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 1TS

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Inspector

Cath Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC035155 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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