Children's Home run by Elmhirst Care LTD in Barnsley

Inspection report for children’s home: 2816417 1 Registered provider: Elmhirst Care LTD

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and have learning disabilities. Two children were living in the home at the time of this inspection. Both children shared their views. The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2025.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2816417 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/07/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2816417 3

p.2

Summary of findings

Children enjoy living in this happy home. Children are supported by skilled staff who demonstrate a good understanding of the children’s needs, they are able to recognise when children need additional help and support.

p.3

Summary of findings

The manager and staff work closely with a wide range of external professionals to provide good-quality care. Staff respond with patience and professionalism to the complex needs of children and this enables children to make progress.

p.3

Summary of findings

The manager takes decisive and effective action to reduce risks to children. She encourages reflection and learning from practice to improve children’s experiences.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are happy living in the home. They like the staff and enjoy spending time with them. Children talked about gaining new experiences and enjoying fun days out with staff doing crafting and going for long walks. Children like that they can personalise the decoration of their bedrooms and this personal space and their choices are respected by the staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff consistently respond to the children’s needs and implement clear boundaries and routines. Children understand how they can earn extra treats, including more expensive individual items. The reward system is tailored so that all the children can achieve. One child was very pleased to be rewarded with a bunch of flowers.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress with support from staff. Children are learning to trust adults and can seek out staff to talk or ask for support. Pictorial support is in place to help children understand complex issues and regular, relevant discussions are routinely held between staff and children. The staff know the children well and are consistent in encouraging healthy routines.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education arrangements are consistently reviewed. Staff attend regular meetings to ensure that the right educational support is in place for children. When learning takes place in the home it is suitable for the children’s needs. One education professional described the staff as ‘therapeutic and insightful’ and said the staff give ‘unconditional care’.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move in or out of the home, this is well managed and thoughtful. There is good support to children at a pace that suits their needs. There are pictures and plans to help children understand what will happen and when. When children move on from the home, this is a positive experience. They take mementos and photos with them to help them remember their time living in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2816417 4 Children live in a warm and homely environment that reflects the manager’s ethos for the home. There are suitable spaces for children to relax. There are books, craft supplies and games available to the children. It is reflective of a domestic, family home. The manager shows good oversight and the home is well maintained. However, the garden is sparse and does not yet reflect a suitable space for children to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

p.3

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

Children feel safe in the home. Children said that ‘Staff 100% get me, they make me feel 100% safe, they know when I am not alright.’ There are appropriate staffing ratios that are maintained to make sure that children get the support that they need. Children also said that staff are ‘kind and helpful’.

p.4

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

Staff have the skills to physically intervene to keep children safe when necessary. These actions are safe and proportionate. After an incident where a child has been restrained there are discussions held with children and staff that demonstrate a reflective culture. There is consistently good management oversight of all incidents.

p.4

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

Incidents of self-harm are well managed by staff. Staff demonstrate kindness and care in difficult situations. Risk assessments and care plans have been streamlined to ensure that the response to any concern is swift and that the right support is provided. There are regular training workshops for staff and close working relationships with external professionals to manage complex issues.

p.4

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

Staff implement a recognised model of care and use creative and effective distraction techniques. Fidget toys, arts and crafts, and playfulness are used to help children to remain calm. Children are involved in the creation of their plans and feel able to speak to staff about the type of support that might help them. Professionals said, ‘Staff provide high-quality care and that communication was very good.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager encourages and maintains very good relationships with professionals who said that she is available and approachable. Families felt reassured about the good quality of care provided by staff and commented on good relationships with the manager who keeps them informed.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is described by staff as the ‘best manager I have ever had’. She gives personal and professional support for staff who said she is ‘always approachable’ and ‘goes above and beyond’ to ensure that staff and the children, have the support they need. Staff also appreciate the help and guidance they give each other and said they work together to create a loving home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high aspirations for the children in her care and appropriately challenges other external professionals and agencies. Specialist advice is implemented into care plans and assessments. The manager ensures that staff understand the Inspection report for children’s home: 2816417 5 changes and updates to children's plans. The manager encourages reflection and learning from practice to improve the experiences of children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the strengths, weaknesses and stressors of managing a good home. She ensures that when concerns are raised, a full investigation takes place and all necessary agencies are informed, including Ofsted. Lessons are learned and discussed with the staff to ensure that change is effective. Inspection report for children’s home: 2816417 6

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they continue to improve the garden, so this becomes a usable space for children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

p.6

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: 2816417 7

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Stacey Wagstaffe

p.7

Inspectors

Jo Cansfield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2816417 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.

p.7

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8