Children's Home run by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in Walsall

Unique reference number SC036584 Inspection date 18/03/2014 Inspector Linda Bond Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/08/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a borough council.

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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

In September 2013 the home was judged as adequate with two requirements and one recommendation. The home was required to ensure they notify Ofsted of any changes in their Statement of Purpose, and to ensure young people's welfare was promoted. This was specifically in relation to the training, employment and access to health care for young people, and young people going missing. A recommendation was made in relation to having evidence within the home of the qualifications of professionals.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and staff team have worked hard to ensure the home has addressed these requirements and development plans are in place to improve the outcomes of the young people. A reviewed and up to date Statement of Purpose has been submitted to Ofsted, and a record of the qualifications of professionals are all readily available within the home.

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Progress

An impressive and determined effort by the Registered Manager and staff team during this inspection period has ensured that young people are choosing to not go missing, are attending a form of education and are accessing all routine health checks. The related requirement has therefore been met.

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Progress

Overall all young people continue to make progress in all areas of their lives. In particular, young people are consistently accessing education and learning environments. This has resulted in young people successfully achieving certificates, awards and qualifications. Further to this young people are attending all routine health appointments, and records indicate that all young people are in good health. They have access to mental health services for example, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and psychotherapy, and where appropriate young people are taking responsibility for managing their own health appointments.

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Progress

Inclusion and consultation is central to the running of the home. Young people are fully involved in their placement plans and there was evidence of young peoples signatures across records. The home ensures that contributions to placement plans are tailored to the individual and focuses on clear, measurable outcomes. Placing authorities benefit from frequent communication from the home, which enables them to efficiently monitor the quality of each placement. A social worker reports that communication is 'excellent' and this has led to the positive relationship between home and parent. As a direct result of this communication a young person is now safely and positively staying with their parent on a regular basis.

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Progress

The Registered Manager leads a team that are stable and consistent with their approaches. A determined effort, by a caring and passionate team, has led to an impressive reduction in the episodes of young people placing themselves at risk by going missing. Excellent communication between parents, local youth groups and the local police has resulted in young people keeping themselves safe when away from the home. A social worker reports that young people have staff they can confide in and the home 'advocates well' on young peoples behalf's.

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Progress

The home remains in a good state of decoration, homely and comfortable, with evidence of plans to continue to update and refresh areas of the home. Young people's bedrooms are comfortable and personalised. All health and safety checks are routinely taking place and no concerns were noted within this inspection.

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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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