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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection in September 2015 three recommendations were made. These have all been met. Young people’s safety is prioritised as staff ensure that visitors are vetted in line with organisational policy. Policies and procedures, including medication, are regularly reviewed meaning that they are relevant to the needs of young people. Since the last inspection, the registered manager and staff have made various improvements to the home and young people are living in a well decorated and homely environment conducive to their needs. Young people continue to make excellent progress in all areas of their lives. In particular, young people consistently attend school and they make progress with their learning. In addition, young people attend all routine health appointments, and they maintain good health. They also access specialist services such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services ensuring they receive all assistance needed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s communication skills continue to improve through inclusive communication techniques. For example, young people understand essential day to day information such as healthy dental care, information in their activity planners, weekly menus, calendar and weather, as all information is presented in accessible and meaningful ways, including the use of pictures, photos and widget. Inclusion and consultation remains a central ethos in the running of the home. Given their complex needs, staff strive to involve young people in all aspects of their care planning. Innovative examples were seen, including young people signing for receipt of their medication. Information is presented pictorially commensurate with their needs and young people feel involved in their day to day care. Confidence, responsibility and self-esteem increases. Young people contribute to their review meetings, and information and feedback is discussed with them in widget form

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

ensuring their involvement and understanding of discussions. Where young people have left the home, these have been planned moves and the staff are dedicated in ensuring placement transitions happen as smoothly as possible, minimising distress for young people. Independence planning remains a real strength of the home. Young people are involved with cooking, laundry, general day to day routines in the home, shopping, and budgeting all assisting their transition to young adulthood. Staff are tireless in ensuring young people play a role in society and have access to all community facilities. Young people enjoy trips out, attend local clubs, as well as relaxing at home. Staff have high expectations for each young person. For example, planning work experience. Young people’s horizons are widened and they have opportunities to learn new skills and enjoy their lives. Social workers comment, ’since living at the home, he is the happiest he has ever been. He has achieved

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

more than anyone thought he ever would’. Young people’s safety is continues to be prioritised through rigorous oversight by the registered manager. Risk management plans are regularly reviewed and revised with young people’s changing needs at the fore. The young people do not go missing. Physical intervention is rarely employed, as staff know the young people well, and recognise their trigger points, meaning that a calmer atmosphere is enjoyed by all. Not all incidents of physical intervention include a description of steps taken to deescalate situations meaning that valuable information is lost in relation to understanding helpful strategies. The registered manager continues to lead a committed, enthusiastic team. Staff know the young people exceptionally well, and work effectively together. They listen carefully to young people’s wishes and feelings, for example, where one young person expressed a preference to talk to another staff member, this was

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

respected. Young people are reassured that adults listen to their views. A professional commented, ’Staff genuinely care about all the young people. Nothing is too much trouble’. The registered manager remains a dynamic and proactive leader. She ensures that young people have everything in place to promote their welfare and continued progress. She plans ahead and where, for example, young people’s transition to adulthood is approaching, takes steps to liaise with all appropriate services ensuring young people’s progress and welfare is well planned.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides accommodation for three young people who have autism and is run by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

15/12/2014 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure records of restraint are kept which enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. In particular ensure records include descriptions of techniques used to de-escalate behaviour. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 49 paragraph 9.59)

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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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