Children's Home run by IMS Care Ltd in Kirklees

Inspection report for children’s home: 2819442 1 Registered provider: IMS Care Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to 5 children who may have learning disabilities or experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living in the home at the time of this inspection. The child was unable to share their views of the home. Their interactions with staff were observed.

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Information about this children’s home

This home has not had a registered manager since April 2025. The interim manager has submitted an application to be registered with Ofsted.

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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: 2819442 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/07/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2819442 3

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Summary of findings

The child benefits from a stable and loving home where their needs are prioritised by the staff. The child is making progress in all areas of their life, and their wellbeing is at the centre of staff’s practice.

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Summary of findings

Staff know the child well. They understand and encourage the child’s emerging skills with patience. The child is supported to communicate their needs using pictures and gestures that are appropriate to their understanding and ability. Staff’s observational skills have helped them to develop a better understanding of the child’s likes and dislikes. The child is happy in the home and has benefited from a range of new experiences and activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child lives in a stable and loving home, and the staff consistently promote the child’s welfare. The child has developed trusted relationships with staff and will seek them out for comfort and safety. The child is helped to actively participate in making simple day-to-day choices and decisions. Staff are attuned to the child’s reactions, and understand and anticipate their needs, wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making very good progress. Staff offer support and nurture, and this mirrors good parenting. The child has ongoing opportunities to explore their world, try new foods and learn new skills, such as swimming and using a children’s play slide. New experiences, celebrations and achievements are captured in a beautiful, interactive and colourful scrapbook that staff help the child to complete. This shows a happy child enjoying a full range of celebrations. This includes photos of them losing their first tooth and participating in World Book Day.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the child’s communication needs and demonstrate patience and kindness during interactions and play. The child has learned to use some visual symbols and signs to support communication. This is helping them to understand their routines and make informed choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education professionals value the support that the staff give the child. These professionals have experienced very good communication from staff and a willingness to learn and share information. The child is now attending school full time and is making better-than-expected progress. The manager advocates for the child to ensure that the education provided continues to meet the child’s needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2819442 4

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

The child’s health needs are regularly reviewed and their overall health has improved. Staff use social stories and role play to prepare the child for medical appointments. This helps the child to feel informed and reassured and promotes positive healthcare experiences. The child’s prescribed medication is safely administered, and reviewed by medical professionals when necessary.

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

Regularly reviewed risk assessments are in place and reflect the known risks to the child. The child’s personal care is well planned; there are safeguarding systems in place to protect the child and to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect. Staff are able to discuss the child’s plans and risks. However, the manager must ensure that all the risk assessments reflect the current care provided to the child and represent their ongoing progress.

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

The child is receiving support to safely manage their emotions. They are helped to learn strategies to manage their feelings. When the child is upset, staff are able to respond appropriately without the need for physical intervention. There is good management oversight of any incidents or accidents.

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

Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and know how to safeguard the child effectively. Staff know how to escalate any issues or concerns. There is regular and effective communication in the team, and with the child’s school and placing authority. However, the ‘delegated authority’ document should provide clarity on the manager’s ability to give permission for routine matters, such as medical treatment and school trips.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The interim manager is supported well by the responsible individual. The manager has sourced training for staff that is relevant and provides them with the knowledge and skills to deliver good-quality care. Staff have confidence in the skills of the manager and describe him as a ‘good leader’ who supports their wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff attend regular, supportive supervision sessions and appreciate the support that is in place to help them progress in their roles. Team meetings are held regularly, and these are an established method of supporting staff to review and reflect on their practice and embed learning. However, the experience and qualifications of staff are not captured in the home’s statement of purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is welcoming and homely. There are plentiful books and toys available to the child, and the child’s artwork and photos are on display. The home is well maintained; however, some areas require redecoration and a section of the garden is currently inaccessible and unsafe, limiting the space available for the child to play in. Inspection report for children’s home: 2819442 5 The manager is ambitious for the child in his care and his staff. The manager seeks feedback from people and professionals involved with the child and the home. The manager is responsive to feedback and uses it to inform and improve practice and the child’s care experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers monitor the individual progress that the child is making and can evidence that living in the home is having a positive impact on the child’s progress and life chances. This is regularly reviewed by leaders and managers, who review and adapt the child’s goals and plans to support their achievement of milestones. Inspection report for children’s home: 2819442 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the child’s placement plan sets out the permissions that their placing authority has delegated to the registered person, and that when risk assessments are updated the information is accurately reflected across all the child’s plans and assessments.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all areas of risk external to the home are assessed and that the redecoration and repair of areas of wear and tear in the home take place to maintain high standards.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, ensure that the statement of purpose details the experience and qualifications of staff. 31 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2819442 7

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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: 2819442 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 10 Cliff Parade, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 2TA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Stacey Wagstaffe

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Inspector

Jo Cansfield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2819442 9 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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