Children's Home run by Serenity Specialist Care Ltd in Birmingham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The effectiveness of the home has declined. This is because the service has failed to take appropriate action to address eight of the requirements raised at the last inspection. This is detrimental to young people‟s progress and development and significantly compromises their day-to-day experience. In addition, three further requirements are made as a result of this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has been without a registered manager since November 2014. A manager was recruited in November 2015; and has recently submitted an application for registration. The organisation has failed to notify Ofsted of this appointment. In the absence of a manager, the responsible individual has failed to monitor effectively the quality of care for young people. Action plans devised to address shortfalls highlighted at the last inspection, are weak and incomplete. For example, the action plan states that the responsible individual has revised the statement of purpose to ensure that this is a true reflection of the service. This is incorrect. The statement of purpose continues to include factual inaccuracies and is misleading to local authorities considering placing young people in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff do no provide young people with personalised care or support that reflects their needs. This is because case files do not include all necessary documents and information. Essential education and health information is missing and statutory care plans and pathway plans are not retained on case files. This mean that no relevant plans are in place for young people. As a result, staff are unaware of the extent of their needs or the aims and objectives of the placing authorities. This failure means that young people do not make suitable or sustainable progress. A statutory requirement notice has been issued to address this continuing shortfall.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people‟s safety and welfare is not promoted. Previous concerns relating to fire safety requirements have not been addressed. The front door is a designated fire exit. However, this is locked and young people do not have access to the key. Staff state that the purpose of securing this exit is to prevent young people from leaving the home without permission. This practice is unacceptable and the potential consequences of restricting this exit have not been considered. This places young people at risk of harm. Furthermore, necessary repairs to the rear fire exit have yet to be actioned.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff do not take appropriate action to reduce young people‟s risk taking behaviours. Risk assessments are weak and ineffectual. They do not include suitable strategies or interventions to encourage young people to take responsibility for their own safety. For example, when young people return to the home under the influence of alcohol this is not adequately discussed. This means that young people do not fully comprehend the detrimental impact this behaviour has on their safety and development. When young people‟s behaviours are unacceptable staff use sanctions to address these. Daily records make reference to staff „removing privileges‟, such as activities. However, logbooks in place for the purpose of recording these measures of control are not completed. This lack of transparency means that senior staff are unable to monitor the use or effectiveness of sanctions. This compromises young people‟s safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a number of staff have left the service. The responsible individual has failed to recruit to these vacant posts. Insufficient staffing levels means that the home is reliant on the use of temporary agency staff. Over 100 shifts have required cover in the past 4 months. These have involved the use of over 30 different agency staff. This significant shortfall means that young people do not receive continuity of care and prevents them from forming suitable attachments or relationships with staff. One young person said: „You don‟t really get the chance to get to know staff or them you. They come and go. There is usually someone different every day.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some requirements raised at the last inspection have been addressed. Improved consultation means that staff now seek young people‟s views in relation to their daily routines, food options and activity choices. Their opinions are recorded in one-to-one sessions and young people‟s meetings. Staff have taken action to ensure that general records regarding the operation of the home are maintained as required. Since the last inspection, a new responsible individual has been appointed. As a result, requirements relating to the professional development of the previous responsible individual are no longer relevant.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with learning disabilities. It is owned and managed by a private provider

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

07/07/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

6. The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard the registered person must ensure that staff— (2)(b)

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Requirement Due date

(iv) provide personalised care that meets each child‟s needs, as recorded in the child‟s relevant plans, taking account of the child‟s background. 14/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure that staff— (2)(a)

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Requirement Due date

(i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child‟s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. 14/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

(2)(d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 14/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard the registered person must ensure that— 14/03/2016 (2)(c) that each child‟s relevant plans are followed.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16(5)) 14/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing injury to any person (including the child); or serious damage to the property of any person (including the child). (Regulation 20(a)(b)) 24/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must after consultation with the fire and rescue authority provide adequate means of escape from the home in the event of fire (Regulation 25(1)(b)) 24/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of the name of the person so appointed; and the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27(2)(a)(b)) 14/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the employment of any person on a temporary basis at the children‟s home does not prevent children from receiving such continuity of care as is reasonable to meet their needs. (Regulation 31(1)) 14/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes all required information. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(i-viii)) 24/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; are kept up to date; and are signed and dated by the author of each entry (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))* 24/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to statutory requirement notice.

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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