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

Unique reference number SC036584 Inspector Julia Wright Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Jason Keith Grainger Date of last inspection 29/08/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 16/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

At the previous inspection in August 2014, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good and a number of requirements and recommendations were made. At this inspection, the home is judged to have improved effectiveness and no shortfalls have been identified.

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This inspection

Young people continue to make progress in all areas of their lives as a result of the care and support of staff at the home. Where young people are approaching an age where they will leave the home, staff support and encourage them to prepare for planned moves to their new homes. Staff are proactive in ensuring that young people’s needs are fully understood so that their needs can be met and the right support identified. Young people work with staff to learn the necessary skills to equip them for their moves. This includes practical life skills such as cooking and laundry, as well as other more complex skills such as managing budgets. Staff and young people continue to have warm and nurturing relationships. Regular consultation with young people takes place via their weekly meetings and in daily dialogue. Young people have confidence that their voices are heard. Social Workers comment, ‘young people’s wishes are always recorded, and staff act on them

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This inspection

Good partnership working between staff and other agencies facilitates young people’s progress. Where they have had difficulties with school, staff support young people to reintegrate. Liaison between home staff and school assists this process. Staff remain committed to meeting the diverse needs of young people at the home. Where young people have additional needs in relation to their culture and background, staff work tireless in ensuring that these are met. A Social Worker commented, ’Staff have a good understanding of their cultural needs. Staff have gone above and beyond to ensure that my young person feels at home there’. 3 of 5 In the eight months since the last inspection, the home remains a safe environment for young people. Health and safety checks are regularly completed by staff. There has been one notification since the last inspection and this has been rigorously addressed. There have been no complaints. There have been two incidents of

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This inspection

physical intervention. Documents clearly record the reasons why physical intervention was necessary, reinforcing safety for all.

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This inspection

The physical environment of the home has been enhanced. Young people have assisted staff to repaint areas of the home. It is very well decorated with pictures and photos of young people. Individual bedrooms are decorated to personal taste. Young people take pride in their home and contribute to its upkeep.

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This inspection

Young people maintain their involvement in a wide range of activities reflecting their interests. These include, sport, dance, and youth clubs. Some are involved in community fundraising and have their achievements recognised and celebrated. Young people, where appropriate, welcome friends and family to the home. Family relationships are maintained and friendships strengthened.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager continues to have rigorous oversight of the running of the home and quality of care provided to young people. He works with the monthly independent visitor, thoroughly addressing any actions identified in their report. He completes three monthly self-monitoring reports and forwards these to Ofsted. The requirements and recommendations made at the previous inspection have all been met. The Registered Manager regularly seeks feedback from young people and professionals. He is committed to operating a transparent service for the benefit of young people. The Registered Manager demonstrates a commitment to continuous development of the service. The home’s development plan has been implemented in practice, for example, decorations have been completed. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

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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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/08/2014 Full good 18/03/2014 Interim good progress 29/08/2013 Full adequate 24/01/2013 Interim satisfactory progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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