Children's Home run by Care and Management Services Ltd in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC419229 Inspection date 18/03/2014 Inspector Rosemary Chapman Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/04/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

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Progress

This home was last inspected in April 2013 when its overall judgement was good. No requirements or recommendations were set as a result of that inspection. Since that time, the home is judged to be making good progress as young people have good outcomes and improvements in practice are clearly demonstrated.

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Progress

At the time of the last inspection the manager was relatively new in post. She has now fully embedded the developments and ethos which she had started to implement when she first came into post. This has resulted in staff working more consistently and consolidating their learning. Young people have benefited significantly because of this consistent, child-focused approach from well-informed staff. To quote a young person: 'Staff know what they are doing and how to manage young people. They put young people first.'

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Progress

Young people are safe and happy in this home. They feel well supported by the staff and as a result they make good progress. One young person commented: 'It is fantastic here. It is a happy home.' Young people have good outcomes in relation to their emotional and physical well-being, their educational experiences, their social interaction and their behaviour. A psychologist commented that the support from staff had been instrumental in the marked improvements in one young person's behaviour. Young people's independent living skills are promoted through a structured independence programme to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills to cope once they move on. Family contact is facilitated where appropriate so that young people's important relationships are improved and sustained.

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Progress

No young people go missing from this home or engage in risk-taking behaviour in the community, although this has been an issue in the past. Staff have clear guidance on reporting young people missing, and what action to take, should this occur. There are good relationships between the home and the police community support officer to facilitate effective partnership working where necessary.

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Progress

Physical intervention is now rarely used, and sanctions are also infrequent. Young people are encouraged to behave positively through rewards. For example, one young person went to a premier league football match with a member of staff to acknowledge and reward the excellent progress made.

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Progress

Staff are well supported and well trained. One staff member commented on 'the abundance of training'. This enables them to understand and respond appropriately to some of the many challenges they face. The young people's files provide clear and comprehensive written guidance so that staff work consistently. This has been an improvement since the last inspection. Documentation is now clearer and more focused on the individual's situation and progress. Young people devise their own plan so that they are more fully engaged in their target-setting and therefore more likely to see this as important and relevant. All young people's needs are fully addressed, including those relating to religion, culture and diet. This is enhanced by the staff team which is mixed in terms of ethnicity, religion and gender.

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Progress

Risk assessments and safety plans are thorough and kept up to date in response to a young person's changing situation. There is regular input from a psychologist which enables staff to have a better understanding of the reasons for a young person's behaviour and alternative strategies for responding to this. These regular meetings feed into the monthly staff meetings, where young people are discussed in depth. This ensures all staff are aware of the best way to understand and work with the young people.

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Progress

Another improvement has been an increased focus on promoting healthy lifestyles. Staff place a greater emphasis on encouraging young people to be more active and to eat a healthier diet. Although some young people choose to smoke, they are encouraged to cease and are given support to do so.

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Progress

The home provides a safe and comfortable environment for young people to develop and come to terms with their issues. Their views are regularly sought on all aspects of their care and the service itself. For example, one young person was concerned that the garden was untidy and requested more recycling bins. This has been implemented. Young people's meetings are well recorded and show the issues raised, followed by the staff response. Young people then comment on this to indicate whether they are satisfied. This systematic approach ensures that young people feel fully consulted and listened to and that their views are valued and taken seriously.

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Progress

The manager demonstrates good leadership skills. She is approachable, child focused and prepared to challenge partners to provide appropriate support for the young people. For example, she has been very active in seeking alternative and appropriate educational resources and she is a strong advocate when young people are moving on, so that they move to an appropriate service which meets their needs. Over the past year the manager has been proactive in developing and establishing professional networks so that her knowledge of local services and resources for young people is considerably enhanced for the benefit of young people.

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection.

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