Archived: KIDS (Wakefield)

Updated 21 November 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 12 October 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a personal care service to children in their own home and we needed to be sure that someone would be available in the office.

There was one inspector who spent time at the office and an expert-by-experience who made telephone calls. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

We reviewed information before the inspection from notifications and from liaising with the local authority.

Due to the complex needs of the children and young people who used the service, we spoke with six parents by telephone. We spoke with the registered manager and one member of staff face to face and two staff over the telephone. We reviewed four records of children's care, and documentation to show how the service was run.

Updated 21 November 2017

The inspection took place on 12 October 2017 and was announced, so the provider knew 48 hours in advance we would be visiting. The last inspection was in August 2016 and was rated 'requires improvement' because we found a breach in regulation 17 good governance. At this inspection we found the provider had taken all necessary action to ensure the regulations were met.

KIDS Wakefield is a specialist childcare service which provides personal care and support for children and young people aged from birth to 25 years within their own home. Care is provided around children's needs, often before and after school. At the time of the inspection there were seven children and young people using the service, aged from seven to 17 years.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The inspection took place on 12 October 2017 and was announced. The service was last inspected in August 2016 and was rated ‘requires improvement’ overall, with a breach in regulation 17, good governance. This was because there were limited systems to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service provided and the registered provider did not sufficiently maintain accurate, complete and contemporaneous records. At this inspection we found all necessary measures had been taken to address the breach in regulation.

KIDS (Wakefield) is a registered charity which provides personal care for children and young people with complex needs. At the time of the inspection, care was provided for seven children and young people.

The service had a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff clearly understood how to keep children and young people safe. Robust recruitment, induction and staff support was in place and there were consistent staff in place to support each individual.

Staff were trained and their practise was monitored through regular drop-in visits to observe and assess their skills. Staff said they felt highly supported and valued.

Staff demonstrated enthusiasm and motivation for their work, with a clear focus on meeting children and young people’s needs. Staff knew each individual they supported and they were respectful of children and young people’s rights.

Care was provided in line with children’s individual needs, preferences and routines. There was evidence of staff working closely with parents to provide responsive care. There were systems in place to obtain feedback on the service and comments received were positive and complimentary. The complaints procedure was made available and systems were in place to record and respond if complaints were received.

The registered provider responded promptly to the issues raised at the last inspection. The service had an open and transparent culture in which staff felt motivated, appreciated and trusted to do their work. Quality assurance processes were more robust and the registered manager was continually seeking ways for the service to evolve and improve.