Halima House receives 'good' first Ofsted inspection

Halima House, in Pamber Heath, was inspected by Ofsted on Wednesday, December 6 and Thursday, December 7 after the home was first registered with Ofsted in August 2023.

It was the first time Halima House had been inspected by the inspection watchdog. 

The home was rated on its overall experiences and progress of children and young people, taking into account how well they are helped and protected, and the effectiveness of leaders and managers at the home.

The report said that children are happy living in the home, and share "positive relationships with staff, who they enjoy spending time with".

It added that the "genuine" care that staff show the children helps them to settle quickly into the home, leading to trusting relationships between children and staff.

READ MORE: Closing Hartley Wintney tip would be a 'massive loss', say residents

Members of staff were found to be sensitive in their approach to the children when encountering difficulties, with the consistency of approach by staff positively influencing the children's progress in maturing, motivating, and developing self-confidence.

Staff also support children in their pursuit of different interests and hobbies and celebrate the children's talents, with staff regularly providing new, fun experiences to "create great memories".

Staff at Halima House celebrate recent 'Good' Ofsted inspection (Image: Halima House)

Staff know how to meet children's needs and manage potential risks well, the report said, adding that support plans and risk assessments provide clear and current guidance for staff, with children's views considered in the development of the plans, maintaining the trusting relationships they have with members of staff.

Inspectors found that de-escalation techniques are used to support children when incidents occur, with staff only physically intervening to prevent harm to the children or others.

The report did highlight that details of incidents in some reports are brief and do not give a full understanding of the circumstances leading up to the incidents and subsequent actions taken by staff, undermining the effective review of incidents to identify patterns and trends.

The report said that children are encouraged to engage in reflective discussions following incidents, leading to children reflecting and learning more positive ways to manage emotions and develop empathy for others. It added that the manager undertakes reflective conversations with staff to ensure their actions are appropriately responsive to the children’s needs.

SEE ALSO: Farm estate announce line up for Solstice on the mount event for 2024

Regular health and safety checks were said to be carried out to ensure the home is safe for children and others, however, a flammable product was found to be stored unsafely in the home. The product was removed by the manager after being highlighted by the inspector.

Ofsted found that the manager and senior leaders have instilled a positive culture, with staff being well supported. However, several staff members have yet to complete some core and refresher training.

It also found that staff are confident to have open conversations with the children on important matters, such as their sexuality and identity, with children developing positive thinking about differences.

Children cared for at the home told Ofsted that Halima House is "brilliant", "caring" and "homely". 

Manager, Kit Raison, said: "We are delighted with the results of our first inspection. The report stands testament to the unwavering dedication and passion our team embodies in nurturing and supporting vulnerable young individuals facing complex mental health challenges."

They added: "We strive to instil hope in their futures until they can discover hope within themselves."