Children's Home run by N H Care Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC432966 Inspector Julia Wright Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person N H Care Limited Registered person address 3 Shetland Close BIRMINGHAM B16 0RF

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Responsible individual Rikesh Asthana Registered manager Keely Lauren Wright Date of last inspection 11/09/2014 2 of 9 Inspection date 04/02/2015

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Previous inspection improved effectiveness Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care outstanding Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good

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Information about this children’s home

This home is part of a private children's care organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/09/2014 Interim improved effectiveness 04/02/2014 Full good 19/09/2013 Interim inadequate progress 26/03/2013 Full outstanding

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home used by children are reasonably maintained. This relates to the kitchen, downstairs bathroom, carpet in one bedroom, decoration of another bedroom. (Regulation 31(2)(e)). 12/04/2015 4 of 9

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make good progress in all areas of their health and development. They make and sustain relationships with each other and with staff caring for them. This is because young people receive comprehensive and individualised care that reflects their abilities, interests and vulnerabilities. As a result, young people’s self-confidence and self-esteem grows. Young people say 'I am happy here’. Parents highlight the difference the home is making ‘My child has learned so much since being at the home, especially with communication. It has made a big difference’.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make improvements with their health through consistent approaches to their care. They learn about healthy lifestyles including nutrition and exercise. Some young people use local libraries to look for and cook new recipes. Consequently, learning is increased and young people develop new skills which are valuable both now and in the future.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people respond positively to their educational placements. They attend school full time. Attendance and punctuality are excellent. This ensures that young people continue make use of every opportunity to learn and progress with their lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people participate in a wide range of activities. They let staff know what they would like to do, and wherever possible activities and visits are facilitated. Young people choose meals out together, visits to the local beauty salon, and other recreational and educational visits. As a result, young people become involved citizens. They enjoy a variety of opportunities, and their quality of life is enhanced.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Participation is a strong point. Young people express their views and opinions about a variety of issues including life within and outside the home. A variety of communication methods are used by young people including Makaton, Pecs and widget, as well as verbal communication. Young people attend weekly house meetings and key worker sessions. They are able to tell staff how they would like to spend their week, their meal choices and any other issues. The Registered Manager responds in writing to young people’s requests and explains if something is not able to be provided. Some young people have an independent advocate. Young people’s voices are heard and taken into account. They know that they are valued individuals and adults listen and respond to them.

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Quality of care outstanding

5 of 9 Young people develop excellent relationships with a highly committed staff team. Staff are consistently concerned with and actively promote young people’s welfare. Young people know that staff value and care about them. There is a culture of trust and mutual respect in the home. This means that young people are settled and secure in their placements. Their global needs are met. Social workers say: ‘My young person is very settled there. Staff know them really well and nothing is too much trouble. Everything is followed up thoroughly’.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff know all the young people very well. Placement plans are clear, informative, and give fine details about the needs of each young person. Placement plans cross reference with education and health plans ensuring continuity and consistency of care. Meticulous processes are in place to review and audit young people’s plans. This means that the care young people receive is relevant and responsive to their needs. Staff ensure that equality and diversity issues for young people are robustly addressed. Young people’s individual needs in relation to their health and welfare, gender and religion are all scrutinised and individual needs are identified. These are recorded and young people’s global needs are met.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home is developing a progress monitoring tool which is highly effective in capturing progress made by young people in relation to identified targets. Staff are able to successfully measure young people’s progress and identify further areas for development and support. Consequently, imaginative and comprehensive targets build on young people’s abilities and attainments, and young people’s development is enhanced.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff robustly challenge any perceived obstacle to young people’s welfare. For example where young people’s health needs reassessing, staff are tireless in ensuring this is completed. As a result, outcomes for young people are improved. They are more settled in educational placements and within the home. They have an appropriate level of support and feel safer and more secure.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff are skilled in managing young people’s challenging behaviour. Positive rewards are employed to encourage positive behaviour. This means that young people begin to learn to self-regulate their behaviour and a calmer and safer environment is achieved for all.

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Quality of care outstanding

Medication arrangements are safe. Staff monitor and record medication in accordance with the homes policy and procedures. Regular audits of medication by staff and the Registered Manager ensures safe practice. Young people are protected.

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Quality of care outstanding

A strong point of the home is the innovative way staff encourage and develop communication with young people. Every effort is made by staff to communicate with each young person, using their preferred method. Staff review and develop new approaches to enhance communication with the aim of encouraging young people’s participation in the home and wider community. This ensures the voices of all young people are heard. 6 of 9 Community involvement is proactively encouraged by staff. Ensuring a rich variety of activities for young people is enthusiastically promoted by the staff team. Planning for outings and activities is completed between staff and individual young people, ensuring their choices are listened to and respected. Events and celebrations are recorded in photographs illustrating young people’s enjoyment of their lives at the home.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff develop and facilitate highly effective partnership working with professionals and families. This means that young people are supported in all aspects of their lives. Where appropriate, staff support contact between young people and their families and other important people. Families and friends are invited to the home. Families say: ‘Staff made me feel so welcome’. Young people develop an understanding of progress in their lives. They retain links with important people, promoting security and self-esteem.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people make good progress with their development of life and independence skills. Staff work with individuals at their pace, ensuring achievable steps. Young people have improved their self-care skills, cooking, and road safety skills. They take pride in their progress. Staff celebrate these achievements

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are protected by well implemented safeguarding arrangements. Care planning clearly identifies risk and protective factors. Individual risk assessments are in place and these are regularly reviewed and audited by staff. Young people are safe and protected at the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Whilst incidents of bullying are very rare at the home, staff ensure that young people are aware of what bullying means by regular discussion individually and at young people’s meetings. Young people are empowered and their understanding and recognition of bullying and how to get help is increased. Staff have received additional training in this field reflecting the importance staff place on this issue.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There have been no incidents of young people going missing since the last inspection. Staff and managers are knowledgeable of the local protocol to follow with local police should such an incident take place. The ratio of staff working with young people and careful risk assessments mean that these risks are reduced and the safety of the young people is enhanced. Staff are clear about the particular vulnerabilities of young people in relation to their health and developmental needs. The Registered Manager has links with local police officers who visit the home. This further strengthens safe working practice.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There has been minimal use of physical restraint since the last inspection. Where this has been used, it is recorded clearly and appropriately. Debrief sessions are held with 7 of 9 staff and young people. Registered Manager oversight provides an additional layer of scrutiny and safety. These measures ensure young people are safe and well following a physical intervention, and that they understand why this was used. In addition, their views are gained and recorded. As a result, young people are supported to develop insight and learn to self-regulate their behaviour.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The organisation has thorough and safe recruitment practices. Staff are appropriately vetted prior to commencing their employment in the home. This means that the young people are kept safe from adults who may wish to harm them. Visitors are checked and monitored. The home provides an on call service by senior staff so that young people and staff are fully supported 24 hours each day.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Health and safety checks are up to date. Young people live in an environment which is safe and hazard free. Regular fire drills take place involving all young people and staff to make sure that everyone is familiar with the evacuation drill from the home, thereby enhancing safety for all.

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Leadership and management good

The home is very well managed by a Registered Manager who has been in post for over four years. She holds a Diploma in Leadership in Health and Social Care, Children and Young People, gained in 2014. She provides strong and effective leadership. The Registered Manager is aware of the strengths and areas for development of the home. She has an ambitious and realistic development plan to further develop the service to benefit young people.

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Leadership and management good

Young people, their relatives and professionals are very positive about the good service offered by staff. A professional said: ‘The Registered Manager trains the staff very well and this ensures high standards.’

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Leadership and management good

The Statement of Purpose is clear and concise and reflects the work undertaken by staff at the home. An associated young people’s guide is presented both in written form and widget ensuring accessibility for all young people.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager continuously monitors staff practice and the home’s operation through established systems and having a consistent presence in the home. Quality assurance systems including consultation and feedback from young people, families and professionals inform the operation of the home. The Registered Manager completes quarterly self-monitoring reports and forwards these to Ofsted. She works with the external quality assurance visitor who visits the home monthly. Recommendations made by the visitor are, where appropriate, promptly actioned by the home. These measures ensure the maintenance of a responsive and positive service for young people.

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Leadership and management good

Administrative processes, such as the management of the young people’s files and 8 of 9 storage of information therein are excellent. Managerial oversight ensures that all relevant information is sought from professionals. Regular auditing and monitoring ensures that information is reviewed. Systems are in place to prompt staff to read any new information about young people. This means that staff understand young people’s needs and safe practice is enhanced.

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Leadership and management good

Staff development is a priority for the Registered Manager. Staff receive a thorough induction training. Core training is refreshed at appropriate times to ensure that staff skills are maintained. Other specific training relating to young people’s needs is provided, for example working with young people on the autistic spectrum. Consequently, staff have the knowledge and skills to work effectively with young people.

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Leadership and management good

Staff supervision takes place regularly and considers staff development in addition to the day to day requirements of their role. Young people are cared for by experienced and skilled staff who are able to support their development. Regular staff meetings ensure that information about young people and the service is shared. All staff contribute to the progress and development of the service, ensuring the maintenance of high standards.

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Leadership and management good

There are shortfalls in the maintenance of the environment. For example the kitchen is in need of decoration and damaged in parts. The carpet in one young person’s room is damaged. There are other minor shortfalls in decoration and these all need to be addressed. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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