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

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceeds the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 The home provides an extremely nurturing and welcoming environment that supports the complex needs of young people.  Young people develop excellent relationships with a highly committed staff team.  Staff strive to ensure that young people are supported to make continued progress in all aspects of their development.  Excellent communication with families and professionals ensures young people receive high quality and consistent care.  The emphasis on safeguarding young people is embedded in day-to-day practice in the home.  Staff are innovative and creative in supporting young people’s involvement in many aspects of the running of the home and in their care planning.  Young people enjoy improvements in their physical, emotional and psychological health.  They enjoy a wide range of social and leisure pursuits appropriate to their interests and choice.  The registered manager is a highly effective leader who sets high standards

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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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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/09/2014 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

19/09/2013 CH - Interim Inadequate progress

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outstanding

Young people make exceptional progress as a result of living at the home. Families say, ‘He is so happy there, staff are brilliant with him’. A young person commented, ‘I like it here. Staff are always right by my side’.

p.5

outstanding

Young people have enormously positive relationships with staff and this underpins the progress they make living at the home. Staff are courteous and treat young people with dignity and respect. Young people let staff know their views and wishes and staff take time to understand what they say. Young people are reassured and know that their views and wishes are important and valued by others, enhancing their self-respect.

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outstanding

Staff consistency and support means young people understand what is expected in terms of their behaviour. They begin to understand the house rules and that they are there to keep everyone safe. Incidents decrease and young people benefit from living in a calm and well-managed environment. They learn to respect each other and their differences. Their self-esteem grows as they become role models for each other.

p.5

outstanding

Staff strive to ensure they communicate with young people effectively. A variety of innovative methods are employed to do this, including information being presented pictorially. Young people’s communication improves markedly at the home and staff continually reflect and revise methods of communication in line with their progress. For example, one young person no longer relies on information in widget as he is now able to express himself verbally and understand others without using pictorially aids.

p.5

outstanding

The service has established highly effective working with other professionals and families. The home completes monthly and three monthly summaries about young people’s progress. This enables staff and young people to constantly review targets and ensures young people have every opportunity to achieve their potential. Staff prepare comprehensive reports for young people’s reviews, detailing their progress and future needs. Young people are supported to attend their reviews if they want to so that they are involved and informed about their plans. In addition, staff prepare a summary of significant points and talk to young people after their meetings to reinforce their understanding of the information. Consequently, and as far as possible, young people are involved in decision making about their future and they understand how decisions are made about them. Excellent liaison between schools and home ensures young people are fully

p.5

outstanding

supported in their learning. Their reviews record any actions the home needs to take in respect of their education. A teacher said,’ I am very impressed with the communication with us and he is reassured about the close contact we have’.

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outstanding

Young people’s health needs are constantly promoted and reviewed. Where there were concerns about one young person being underweight when he moved to the home, this has now improved markedly. Staff ensure that young people have access to specialist services such as child and adolescent mental health services meaning that their global needs are addressed. Young people choose and enjoy a varied, freshly cooked diet where fresh produce and healthy eating is carefully considered. Young people have expanded their repertoire of chosen food and like to buy and cook new things – for example trying lobster and trout. They develop an understanding of healthy eating and what it means to look after themselves.

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outstanding

Young people have excellent social opportunities. They enjoy a wide range of purposeful activities and have access to a wide range of activities and venues. These include local facilities as well as trips further afield and sporting events. Some belong to local football clubs meaning that they participate in community events and expand their social circle. They are empowered as they are able to contribute ideas and choose activities. Where young people have more complex needs, appropriate sensory toys and material is available meaning that everyone’s needs are catered for.

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outstanding

Young people benefit from formal and informal opportunities to develop age appropriate life skills and knowledge such as managing personal care, learning independence skills and time management. This supports greater independence and responsibility. Continuous help from staff helps build young people’s confidence and they move towards semi independence better equipped with appropriate skills.

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outstanding

Where possible, young people enjoy contact with their families both at the home and in the community. Staff support young people and their families and promote good quality contact time. Young people enjoy seeing their families and their relationship with their loved ones is strengthened.

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outstanding

Young people are safe and protected from harm. Staff know each young person exceptionally well and understand their strengths and vulnerabilities. Young people are safeguarded as staff have strategies in place to minimise risks. The emphasis on safeguarding practice and strategy is comprehensively embedded in the functioning of the home.

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outstanding

Risk assessments are highly individualised and regularly reviewed and updated. Young people talk to staff about their risk assessments and what they mean. Any issues arising are discussed in one to one discussions with young people and they are helped to understand the steps they can take to improve their safety, for example relating to self-harm incidents and personal relationships. Staff are extremely proactive and ensure appropriate resources and support is sought maximising young people’s emotional and physical safety.

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outstanding

Staff work tremendously well as a team in managing young people’s behaviour. They provide consistency and safety for young people, enabling them to express their views and supporting them if they are upset or struggling to express their emotions effectively. Interaction between staff and young people is observed to be caring and supportive. Staff are enthusiastic and the home has an ethos of positivity where positive behaviour and attitudes are rewarded. The use of rewards and sanctions is proportionate and always scrutinised and approved by the registered manager. Young people’s understanding of expectations of their behaviour is heightened as staff have a fair and consistent approach. Physical intervention is rarely used but where it is necessary, staff ensure that records are rigorously completed.

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outstanding

Safeguarding policies include strategies to ensure safeguarding is responsive to the needs of young people with complex needs. Staff are appropriately trained upon joining the service and their knowledge is refreshed regularly. This means that staff are knowledgeable and know how to protect young people from abuse or harm, and know how to respond to any allegations. There have not been any incidents of young people missing from care or having unauthorised absences since the last inspection. Young people have complex needs and staff ratios ensure that young people are supported throughout the day and stay safe. Staff understand each young person’s needs and quickly recognise changes in their presentation and behaviour. Staff work tirelessly to understand the reasons for these and ensure appropriate support is available for young people.

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outstanding

There is a safe and robust system for managing young people’s medication. This contributes to a good standard of care. The registered manager has oversight and audits the records and practice to ensure safety and compliance.

p.7

outstanding

Young people live in a home that is safe and secure. Regular safety checks are undertaken with gas, electric and fire systems to ensure good working order. Young people are familiar with the need for checking fire alarms and completing fire evacuations from time to time and participate in these checks with staff. This helps them understand about fire risks and promotes their safety.

p.7

outstanding

Young people’s safety is further promoted through the appropriate vetting of staff. There are effective and safe recruitment practices in place meaning that young people are protected from adults who may wish to harm them.

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outstanding

The home is run by a highly committed, motivated and dedicated registered manager. She is very experienced in providing residential care services for young people and has a level 5 diploma in leadership and management in children and young people’s residential care services. The registered manager sets very high standards in respect of the care offered by staff for the young people in her care and ensures that these are maintained.

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outstanding

The home meets the aims and objectives detailed in their statement of purpose, including an ethos of involving young people in many aspects of their home’s running. Staff are equally committed and enthusiastic about young people’s progress. Young people benefit as they know that all staff care about them and want the very best for them. The service provided to each young person is tailored to their needs. Staff are knowledgeable and skilled in identifying the welfare, health and care needs of all young people in their care. This is endorsed by the excellent progress young people make.

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outstanding

The registered manager has various systems in place to review and monitor the quality of care for each young person. She identifies patterns and trends that impact on young people’s care and practice is reviewed where necessary. The registered manager has an excellent understanding of the strengths and areas for development for the home. The latter includes staff development and developing a newsletter for families’ and professionals. Young people are consulted about the running and development of the home reinforcing their sense of belonging and involvement. Young people’s case records are impressively well organised, and this means that staff have relevant and updated information about young people in their care.

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outstanding

Multi-agency working and work with families is a big strength in this home. The registered manager and staff have outstanding systems in place to ensure effective liaison with families and professional colleagues. One social worker said, ‘I am so impressed with the home, communication is excellent’. An education professional commented, ‘The manager and staff have taken time to really understand him and his particular needs’.

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outstanding

Young people benefit from a suitably qualified and experienced staff team. Where staff do not have the necessary level 3 diploma qualification, they are undertaking this training. Staff have a thorough induction and say that they feel prepared for working with young people. Staff say that they are well supported through monthly supervisions, annual appraisals and regular staff meetings. The progress and welfare of young people is regularly reviewed in each arena and all staff reflect on their practice and ways of improving and promoting young people’s welfare. This ensures the maintenance of high standards of care in the home.

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outstanding

The registered manager promotes a learning environment in the home for staff. All staff complete mandatory training so that they are effective in their roles. In addition, the manager delivers additional training and information sessions for staff reflecting specific needs of young people or general issues within the running of the home. Staff strive to ensure that all aspects of the running of the home meets the needs of each young person. Where additional needs are identified, the registered manager finds suitable training, for example in supporting young people who self-harm. Young people benefit as they are cared for by knowledgeable staff who are able to meet their needs.

p.9

outstanding

A previous requirement made at the last inspection relating to the decoration of the home is met. The home is well maintained and the registered manager ensures that resources are available to address any deficits in the decoration or furnishing of the home. Young people choose how their bedrooms are decorated and presented. Their self-esteem is enhanced as their choices are respected and valued. The home has plenty of entertaining games and resources for young people to enjoy and they let staff know of other activities they would like.

p.9

outstanding

No requirements or recommendations are made at this inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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