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