Children's home run by Woodlands House (Birmingham) Limited in Wolverhampton

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

This home was last inspected in June 2015 and was judged to require improvement. Requirements were made in relation to: bullying, child protection, leadership and management, supervision and training, policies, location of the home and independent visits.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager left the home in November 2015 and a new manager was subsequently appointed. This individual is in the process of applying to Ofsted for registration. The home’s statement of purpose has not been updated to show this change in the home’s management. As a result, the requirement relating to the home’s statement of purpose has not been met from the last inspection. This has not negatively impacted on young people. However, the potential exists for children, their parents and placing authorities to be provided with incorrect and out of date information.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Independent visits to the home now take place on a monthly basis. Children are regularly consulted on these visits and their views shared in the reports. However, reports from these visits lack depth and detail. There is no opinion from the visitor, as required by regulation, with regards to how effectively children are safeguarded in the home. This has the potential to negatively impact on the outcomes for children as the arrangements for safeguarding are not independently assessed. This also affects the organisation’s ability to review the care delivered in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is now a location risk assessment in place at the home. However, this is incomplete and only contains statistics about crime in the local area. There is no consultation with relevant parties as required nor any informed assessment of any particular risks. There is, to date, no demonstrable impact to children as a result of this shortfall. However, this requirement has not been appropriately addressed since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Restraint is used for appropriate reasons and as a last resort. Staff ensure that all preventative steps are taken before holding a child. There have been two recent occasions where excessive restraint has been used. Specifically, a child was held face down on the floor by two adults. This has the potential to affect a child’s breathing and so represents a significant risk to the safety of children. The acting manager confirmed that the child’s social worker had not, to date, been made aware of this incident. Action was taken during the inspection to ensure that this incident was reported to the placing authority.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All staff have undertaken additional training in child protection since the last inspection. Supervisions are now taking place regularly and the manager ensures that staff are aware of their responsibilities with regards to child protection. The responsible individual has also undertaken some further practice related training as required from the last inspection. Policies for protecting children are also improved and the local authority’s guidance on managing concerns and allegations is known to all staff. Serious incidents are rare but where they do occur, the manager ensures that appropriate actions are taken. As a result of these improvements, there has been some improvements to how children are protected in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been some positive progress for children’s outcomes. Incidents of bullying are now being robustly addressed and challenged; thus curtailing this behaviour. Relationships between staff and children are also improving and children are able to discuss their feelings and emotions with a stable staff team. All children are engaged in education and attendance at school is good. Sanctions, where used, are appropriate and focus on supporting children to develop positive behaviours. The views of young people are sought where sanctions are used. These are monitored by the manager to review the effectiveness of these measures. There have been no incidents of children going missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s risk assessments are not thorough or appropriately reviewed. For example, a risk assessment refers to the wrong child and instructions on contacting the child’s social worker have not been followed. This means that staff are not providing consistent or agreed care at all times. This has the potential to place children at risk and affect their welfare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This visit also focused on concerns received by Ofsted in relation to the condition of the premises, vehicle safety, staff recruitment and management of the home. There has been some damage to the environment but this has been swiftly resolved. The home is appropriately maintained and presented. Similarly, appropriate checks are in place for the home’s vehicle. The new manager of the home has started to implement new filing and recording systems; these have ensured that staff are consistent in the delivery of care to children. Staff are appropriately recruited and where agency staff are used, their experience, skills, qualifications, references and identity are confirmed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As a result of this inspection, the home is judged to have declined in effectiveness. This is because there are unmet requirements from the last inspection. There are also additional concerns that relate to the safety and welfare of children.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and / or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned and operated by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/06/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

13/01/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

28/01/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory progress

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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

12. The protection of children standard 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. 25/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)) 25/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20(2)) 25/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b)) 25/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children's home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard). When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46(1)(2)) 25/03/2016

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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

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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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