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 subject to a first inspection in August 2015. Five requirements and two recommendations were made. These related to shortfalls in restraint and sanction records, a lack of practice related staff supervision, poor staff inductions, limited knowledge of safeguarding for some staff and failures to record consultation with young people. The impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers was judged to require improvement because of these concerns. The registered manager has addressed two requirements and one recommendation. New staff now participate in a detailed programme of induction and all staff have completed safeguarding refresher training. In addition, changes to the rota and the introduction of more waking night staff means that sleep-in staff are now provided with suitable accommodation. The home has declined in effectiveness because three requirements and one recommendation remain unmet. Six additional

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

requirements and one additional recommendation have been raised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, some young people have made positive and sustainable progress. Educational achievement and success is embedded in the ethos of the home and young people achieve 100% school attendance. Progress is reflective of young people‟s academic abilities, learning styles, individual needs and career ambitions. Young people say they enjoy school and recognise the positive impact this has on their development. This is because education is linked to transition planning. For example, some young people will remain in the home until the end of the academic year before returning to their families. This ensures that their learning is not disrupted and this increases the likely success of their future placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do not receive well-planned care that reflects the aims and objectives of the placing authorities. This is because staff do not ensure that young people‟s case files include all necessary information or statutory documentation. This shortfall means that young people do not experience integrated care and support. Furthermore, staff do not seek young people‟s feedback regarding the quality of care they receive. Young people‟s meetings are rare. Records of these meetings are poor and do not show that young people‟s views, comments or opinions are taken seriously or considered in the development of the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been no significant reduction in the use of physical restraint since the last inspection and no improvements in the completion of records relating to these events. The registered manager does not ensure that records of physical restraint or sanctions are completed in detail. These do not include an assessment of the effectiveness of the use of these measures of control. They are not consistently reviewed or evaluated by managers and do not demonstrate that young people or staff are spoken to. These shortfalls means that young people‟s safety is not promoted. In addition, some sanctions imposed on young people are unreasonable and inappropriate. For example, staff use „smoking bans‟ to challenge negative behaviours and encourage young people to „earn‟ this back by displaying positive behaviours. This measure of control is unacceptable.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager does not ensure that all staff receive regular or effective formal supervision. This was raised at the last inspection and no improvements have been made to this area of practice. Staff are not adequately monitored in their role and their practice is not reviewed or evaluated. This is detrimental to young people‟s safety and progress because staff are not appropriately supported in their role.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring systems are weak and ineffectual. Internal quality of care reviews undertaken by the registered manager have failed to identify shortfalls in the service. Furthermore, these reports are not sent of Ofsted as required. Actions from the previous inspection have not been addressed and no improvement plan is available. The registered manager does not ensure that monitoring systems or tools consider the strength and weakness of the home, or compliance with the Children‟s Homes Regulations 2015. This means that the service is unable to demonstrate the capacity for improvement. In addition, internal data records are not checked or monitored. For example, records of admission and discharges are not retained as required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has failed to ensure that the home is well maintained or that necessary repairs are completed in a timely manner. Young people do not reside in a homely or welcoming environment. For example, curtains are not adequately attached to rails, some wardrobes are broken, there is graffiti in some bedrooms and some areas are generally untidy. Furthermore, the lack of soft furnishing, ornaments and photographs means that the setting is sparse and not conducive to the creation of a „homely‟ environment.

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Information about this children's home

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

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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

7. The children‟s views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children‟s views, wishes and feelings standard the registered person must ensure that staff— (2)(a)

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Requirement Due date

(iv) regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home‟s care. 25/04/2016

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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)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 25/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

No measure of control or discipline which is unreasonable may be used in relation to any child. This specifically relates to the use of cigarettes and tobacco as part of behaviour management in the home. (Regulation 19(1)) 25/04/2016

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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)) 25/04/2016

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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 the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure.(Regulation 35(3)(a)(vii)) 25/04/2016

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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 25/04/2016 signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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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. (Regulation 36(1)(a)(b)) 25/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4; and ensure that the records are kept up to date. This specifically relates to the register of children. (Regulation 37(2)(a)(b)) 25/04/2016

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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)) 25/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff provide a nurturing and welcoming environment. This specifically relates to the timely completion of repairs and maintenance in the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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Recommendations

 For children‟s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, ensure they are homely. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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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