The Right Placement, at the Right Time in the Right Place

Posted by Mark Raw in Childcare Industry Harmony Childrens Services Ofsted News

Below are a few recent articles referencing to the unfunded statements made by some MP’s in recent weeks which from a very non bias stance, are unfounded from “over inflated weekly fee’s”, statements of “No child shall be placed out of authority when our party get in” and “how can we have a system where perpetrators know where Childrens homes are and we don’t” and further distortions of the truth all to continue the current scaremongering of Childrens Homes.

Ofsted have again published there Data Sets for Childrens Homes and summery documents within based on fact, not fiction.  These documents show the collated information from the governments own watchdog and regulator about distance placements, overall judgement grades and the amount of GOOD and OUTSTANDING children homes there are out there and range of services available.   http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/c/childrens%20homes%20data%20pack%202013.PDF

 Jonathan Stanley, the CEO of ICHA the Independent Childrens Homes Association has given a good response to these documents within the Huffington Post and shows that a just a little bit more understanding of what Childrens home are, can achieve and where we should really fit into the social care system should be reviewed and views updated and practices changed to put the child first.    http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jonathan-stanley/government-data-telling-n_b_4012055.html

This is by no means to the benefit of the private provider, in my opinion it makes it harder for ourselves but if you provide, operate and maintain a good solid ethical service and operate for the right reasons then these reports are not a cause for concern but only aid you to aim higher.

If interpreted properly then it is all for the benefit for the child and allows everyone involved, commissioners, placement officers, social workers and providers to provide a placement that is the Right Placement, at the Right Time in their life and in the Right geographical location for their needs.

Accelerated reports on CSE, Hollies update

Posted by Mark Raw in Childcare Industry Harmony Childrens Services Ofsted News

There’s been a tremendous amount happening within the Residential Childcare, further convictions of CSE perpetrators, reports of the investigations in to the Rochdale events and others being accelerated and rumours of what changes that will bring the Childrens homes, OfSTED and the DoEMNSand regulations for Childrens homes having further revisions & a general unease within the sector.

From my perspective and how Harmony strives to keep it residents, staff and home safe from abuse in and out of the homes I feel that we are in a good position to take on board and embrace any changes for the better as a result of these developments and it makes a for a better safe life for the children not just in our care, but any care anywhere in the country then that’s no bad thing.

Closer to home, I have been advised OfSTED plan to conduct their registration inspection of The Hollies later on in the month, bit like a driving test, keeping schtum on the date.

Confident as always in what we offer and can offer,  as we have taken the practice of Harmony House, added some further one pertinent to The Hollies and hopefully developed a better home that continues the path of continuous progression we started back in 2011.

Recuitment is going well, we have identified our registered manager and confident in their appointment that they will absorb, embrace and continually promote the Harmony ethos of nurturing, understanding and life long learning and embed this in all their staff and the resident we will care for.

Well its back to the last bits of painting, finishing the homely decorating off, checking paperwork is all in place and some therapeutic gardening for me still to do before the visit mid May.

The Hollies, Accelerated CSE reports, keeping kids safer

Posted by Mark Raw in Childcare Industry Harmony Childrens Services Ofsted News

There’s been a tremendous amount happening within the Residential Childcare, further convictions of CSE perpetrators, reports of the investigations in to the Rochdale events and others being accelerated and rumours of what changes that will bring the Childrens homes, OfSTED and the DoE MNSand regulations for Childrens homes having further revisions & a general unease within the sector.

From my perspective and how Harmony strives to keep it residents, staff and home safe from abuse in and out of the homes I feel that we are in a good position to take on board and embrace any changes for the better as a result of these developments and it makes a for a better safe life for the children not just in our care, but any care anywhere in the country then that’s no bad thing.

Closer to home, I have been advised OfSTED plan to conduct their registration inspection of The Hollies later on in the month, bit like a driving test, keeping schtum on the date.

Confident as always in what we offer and can offer,  as we have taken the practice of Harmony House, added some further one pertinent to The Hollies and hopefully developed a better home that continues the path of continuous progression we started back in 2011.

Recuitment is going well, we have identified our registered manager and confident in their appointment that they will absorb, embrace and continually promote the Harmony ethos of nurturing, understanding and life long learning and embed this in all their staff and the resident we will care for.

Well its back to the last bits of painting, finishing the homely decorating off, checking paperwork is all in place and some therapeutic gardening for me still to do before the visit mid May.

4 in a row for Harmony House

Posted by Mark Raw in Childcare Industry Harmony Childrens Services Ofsted News

I am very proud to be able to say that Ofsted carried out an unannounced interim inspection on the morning of Monday 22nd October and came to a conclusion that we still deserve our “GOOD” rating and that we were demonstrating “good progression” with the home and with the children in our care.

Once again a big thank you to our Home Manager Julie and to all the staff and young people for helping achieve this recent praising endorsement by Ofsted.

Once the formal letter has been published I will share the link to it with you all in our Ofsted Section.

I’ve just read on Children and Young people Now web site about the Directors of Children’s Services have launched an inquiry into the purpose of the care system, as part of plans to radically improve provision for looked-after children across the country.  http://www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/1075093/adcs-launch-inquiry-care?utm_content=&utm_campaign=241012_Daily&utm_source=Children%20%26%20Young%20People%20Now&utm_medium=adestra_email&utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cypnow.co.uk%2Fcyp%2Fnews%2F1075093%2Fadcs-launch-inquiry-care

That looks like an interesting read.

Mark

Harmony House scores a hat-trick

Posted by Mark Raw in Harmony Childrens Services Ofsted News

Hello all,

 Just a quick update to say to that today Harmony House had it’s third unannounced Ofsted inspection and I am delighted to say that we have been provisionally been awarded a GOOD grading again.

As always it’s a team effort from all of us as staff and also the children who spoke highly and honestly of the service they receive to the inspector.

 In the debriefing session the inspector advised that they felt we had provided sufficient evidence to warrant a GOOD grade in all the areas and outcomes scrutinised during the inspection,  and even went so far as to discussed some areas of our service that they felt were immaculate.

 I am not going to say anymore than that as you know it’s all provisional so far, so I will wait the report to be QA’d and final version published on the Ofsted site before sending further information on.  The link to the most recent report and previous reports will be on the website when it’s made available.

 As always we won’t be resting on our laurels and will be looking as to how we can keep the progression of Harmony travelling the right journey and make our service better.

 Needless to say I am very proud of the service we provide for our young people and to Julie our manager who has had the reigns for the past few month who has lead and worked alongside the staff team, all of whom helped made this result possible.

 Mark

Ofsted Inspection and new staff appointments

Posted by Mark Raw in Harmony Childrens Services Ofsted News

Another memorable day and further good achievements by Harmony House, its residents and staff.

David, our Ofsted inspector made his 2^nd unannounced inspection today and was again reasured by the evidence he found that we still continue to deserve our GOOD rating.  David spoke with myself, who happened to chose to go on shift that day, our residents and staff who I was working along side.  Myself and resident were just about to leave to go do an arial assult course 15 meters, (47ft) up, something she had always wanted to do.  The things we do for our kids to make them smile.  Have I said previously I hate hights.  Especially those with a very long drop!

Before I go into a summary of the important points a full version of the Interim Ofsted Insepction report is available to view at: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/CARE/SC424759   Again, no recomendations.

David again was easily able to, and this is clearly reflected in the report the continued work in “ensuring that the young people are as far as possible protected from harm.  It has successfully reduced the number of occasions when young people go missing.  When young people do go missing the staff are proactive in involving the police and make strenuous efforts to locate young people and make sure they return to the home quickly.”  This is a statement that I am especially proud of as it reflects our passion in keeping the kids in our care as safe as they allow us and shows thats they are making great progress in keeping them selfs, and for some, more importantly out of any further CSE.

David stated in the report other praising comments about the residents, the staff and how our family ethos has made positive impacts.“… they said that they liked living in the home and have a clear understanding of plans for their future.  Interactions between staff and young people is warm and good humoured and this makes a significant contribution to the way in which positive behaviour is encouraged.” 

 Another good report which I have passed on special praise and thanks to the whole staff team who are instrumental in their actions and levels of care provided to make these reports so positive.

So what else has been happening within Harmony? 

A few big things within the company,  and the internal structures and staffing compliments.

We have been commissioned to provide a supported living package to a young resident in theHalifaxarea and have been busy making plans for her individualised care and support package to start in March to educate and give her the skills needed to live a more independent lifestyle.

Within the home Julie Cuttell, as of the first of March will be taking over the role of Home manager and moving onto Registered Manager once her Ofsted Interview has taken place.  Janet Brisby has shown significant progression and earned herself the role of Deputy Manager and now in a prime position to further learn the ropes and approches that we know work with children and will, I hope being involved in running the second home when it is the right time to open.  Both solid appointments in my opinion.  I am confident that both Julie and Janet will continue to ensure the ethos and therapeutic understanding approach is continued to all our current and future residents.

 These further positive developments will allow me to move my focus toward the expansion of services and options that Harmony can offer to the local authorities.

I will be speaking with all the local authrites in our area and those futher afield, in due course regards the remaining vacancies we have at Harmony House and will happy to discuss any other potential avenues of suppport that we can can provide regards supported living and supported tenancies.

Happy and Prosperous New Year to all.

Posted by Mark Raw in Harmony Childrens Services Ofsted News

What a year 2010 has been.  I have achieved one of my dreams this year; opening, setting up, registering and operating my own Childrens Home, as I see correct.  In the nine months since registration was approved, we have had many referrals.  I could have filled the house twice, but decided to do it correctly and pace the growth of Harmony accordingly and securely and to taking the correct referrals for the service at that time.

So, during the year we admitted three children and did what is recognised as ‘good quality’ and ‘positive’ work with them all.  We received, and continue to receive, praise from the social workers, Police operations and other professionals we work with.    All of this was reflected in the ‘GOOD’ Ofsted report (see http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/1871629/urn/SC424759.pdf) that we achieved.  The OFSTED report really topped of my year.

To achieve all of this in a climate where others in the industry are closing homes, down-sizing, scaling back, call it what you wll, most of those I used as a sounding board told me that I was brave to take this risk.  However not only have we beaten the statistics and Harmony is still here after our first year of operations, but we are providing employment to 10 people from the local community and are looking to recruit more.  In addition we are a financially secure company.

 So what does the next year have in store?  I would like to set my personal goals and targets to include at least;

 a)     I would like to build on and then consolidate on what Harmony House has to offer to the children that need our service.

b)     Explore the opportunities to offer the caring, supportive and realistic approach of Harmony to those in need of supported living in and around the Kirklees boarders,Leeds,Wakefield, Calderdale and other areas.

c)      Look towards opening up our second 3 or 4 bed home in the West Yorkshire Area.  I am happy to discuss this with any local authority whom may see some benefit in working together on this.

d)     Expand the regions that currently place at Harmony House to outside theWest Yorkshirearea, toward the Greater Manchester area andLincolnshireareas.

So I’m now looking forward to the coming year with the continued commitment and focus to providing a honest, good quality Residential Child care within Harmony house, the new home we aim to set up,  and all the challenges that it will bring.

Mark

Harmony House 1st Ofsted Report – Awarded GOOD

Posted by Mark Raw in Harmony Childrens Services Ofsted News

I can proudly say that our first Ofsted report, where we were acknowledged as operating at a GOOD standard has been published on the Ofsted Web site.

To read it in full please click here:-

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/1871629/urn/SC424759.pdf

Mark