Children's home run by Thoughts of Others Limited in Birmingham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good 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 home was last inspected in July 2015. At that time, five requirements and three recommendations were made. Shortfalls included the failure to appoint a manager for the home and the failure to ensure that staff receive regular practice related supervision. Since the last inspection, two requirement and three recommendations have been addressed. For example, systems to appropriately record and monitor complaints are now in place. Changes made to the staffing structure in the home means that staff have suitable sleep-in facilities. In addition, the location risk assessment has been revised and updated. This now includes necessary details relating to the local vicinity and highlights known risk factors in the community. However, the service has declined in effectiveness because three requirements have not been actioned and a further two requirements are made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The organisation appointed a manager in September 2015. To date, the manager has failed to apply to Ofsted for registration as required. This is detrimental to the development of the service and a breach of the Care Standard Act 2000. The lack of established and robust management means that the service is not monitored effectively and the quality of care is not assessed. The manager does not ensure that internal monitoring reports are fully completed or sent to Ofsted as required. This failure means that shortfalls are not highlighted or actioned.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff do not received regular practice related supervision. The manager has failed to address this previously raised shortfall. This means that staff practice is not adequately monitored. This is detrimental to young people’s welfare, safety and development because the actions, skills and knowledge of staff is not verified as suitable.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of challenging and unacceptable behaviours continue to reduce. Young people work with staff to identify triggers to their behaviours. Staff encourage young people to consider strategies to support them to manger their anxieties and frustrations. When physical restraint is necessary records pertaining to the use of this measure of control are not completed as required. These are not consistently viewed or assessed by senior managers. This means that the manager fails to ensure that he retains a sufficient overview of the use of restraint or the effectiveness of this. This concern was raised in July 15 and has not been addressed. This compromises young people’s safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people in placement at the time of the last inspection have made progress in relation to their education, social interactions and personal targets. For some young people, this means they take greater responsibility for their actions and behaviours and recognise the negative impact these may have on their development. This increased understanding enable young people to reduce their risk taking behaviours and move forward with their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has left the home and one young person has been admitted. When young people leave the home, staff work with young people, their families, future placements and education service to ensure that transition planning is effective. This means that young people do not experience any unnecessary disruption to accessing the services they need.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are able to visit the home and socialise with staff and other young people, prior to their admission. This supports their transition and increases the potential for the placement to be successful. Nevertheless, staff do not ensure that they act on all information they receive when assessing the immediate needs of young people admitted to the home. For example, there is an occasion when historical health documentation, indicates that a young person may have a known allergy. This information remains unconfirmed and insufficient action taken to ensure the young person’s safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are unable to access a telephone without reference to staff. This means they cannot speak to allocated social workers or independent advocacy agencies without requesting permission. This concern was raised at the last inspection and no actions have been taken to address this shortfall.

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Information about this children's home

The home proved care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and / or behavioural difficulties. A private company owns and operates this home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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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

In order to meet the health and well-being standard the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

(1)(a) the health and well-being needs of children are met. This specifically relates to managing children’s allergies. 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children are provided at all reasonable times with access to the following facilities which they may use without reference to persons working in the home; a telephone on which to make and receive telephone calls in private. (Regulation 22(3)(a)) 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(4)(b)) 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”) has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35(3)(b)(ii)) 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45(4)(a)) 31/03/2016

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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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