Children's home run by Wakefield Council in Wakefield

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC428084 1 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by the local authority. It provides short-break care and can provide full-time care on a short-term basis for up to 7 children who may have sensory impairment, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Five children were due to stay at the home on the day of the visit and 2 of these children were living in the home full time. However, during the visit no children were present.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is also registered with the Care Quality Commission.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since August 2025. A new manager is in post and is progressing their registration application with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that a serious incident concerning a child had occurred since the last inspection. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken following the recent tragic death of a child who had a life- limiting health condition and accessed overnight short-breaks care. The child’s tragic death did not take place in the short-breaks home.

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This monitoring visit

The visit was carried out to understand how leaders and managers have responded during this difficult time and to review the support that the staff and children have received. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC428084 2 OFSTED USE ONLY

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This monitoring visit

Staff work with professionals and families to help ensure that they have updated information regarding children’s health and medical needs. Staff ensure that children have access to sensitive care which is overseen by a qualified nurse.

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This monitoring visit

Children have detailed risk assessments and care plans that staff understand and consistently implement to meet their needs. However, one child’s plans did not capture specific detailed information about supervision and observations required by staff. However, the staff are attuned to the child’s needs, including their changing health needs. The gaps in records have not affected the care provided to the child.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have close, well-established relationships and have come together to support one another as a team. Leaders and managers have encouraged staff to access the local authority’s emotional wellbeing services and specialist bereavement support.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have shown great empathy to the children and their families. A memorial of the child who sadly died is situated at the home. This helps the children and staff to have a special place to remember them.

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This monitoring visit

Staff feel supported and their wellbeing is understood and considered by leaders and managers. However, although staff noted that they receive supervision, staff with specific roles have not received supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified nurse.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have maintained their oversight of the home and repairs to bathrooms and door frames have been carried out. This reduces children’s access to potentially hazardous items.

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This monitoring visit

Some requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection were outside of the scope of this visit and will be reviewed at the next inspection. However, one recommendation was met. One additional requirement and recommendation was raised following this visit. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC428084 3 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/02/2026 Full Good 10/02/2025 Full Good 17/01/2024 Full Good 09/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC428084 4 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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 with the given timescales.

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Requirements Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirements Due date

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

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Requirements Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirements Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(b))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that all required information regarding children’s injuries is shared with the placing local authority in a timely manner. Additionally, the manager must ensure that staff are aware of their responsibilities in ensuring the suitability of any people accessing the home.

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Requirements Due date

This requirement is restated from the last inspection. 12 April 2026

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Requirements Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirements Due date

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

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Requirements Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b)) 17 July 2026

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Requirements Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must— 12 April 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC428084 5 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirements Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including provisions of suitable fire equipment in the home;

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Requirements Due date

provide adequate means of escape from the home in the event of fire. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, the manager must work with all relevant agencies to ensure that actions recommended regarding fire exits are progressed in a timely manner. In addition, fire doors must be used in line with safety requirements.

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Requirements Due date

This requirement is restated from the last inspection.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they have effective oversight of incidents, ensuring that staff clearly record any injuries sustained by a child in all related documents. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC428084 6 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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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Inspectors

Gina Lightfoot, Social Care Inspector (lead) Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC428084 7 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspectors

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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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