Children's home 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 improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has continued to improve the lifestyles of and outcomes for young people with autism and learning disabilities. Managers have demonstrated effective partnership in overseeing the home. They use their own and external monitoring to continually improve the service provided. This monitoring includes feedback from parents and professionals. It takes young people’s behaviour into account, as part of their communication to staff about the way they feel about living in the home. All requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed. Managers ensure that there are clear actions to improve the conduct of the home. Development plans are shared with staff, who are committed to respond to the leadership message of joint responsibility for improving care. Staff provide practical help, such as improving the garden, so that young people can independently enjoy the fresh air when possible. Managers model good practice, and use their

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

observations of staff to inform reflective discussion in staff meetings and in regular supervision. The manager does not have regular supervision, and relies on her self- evaluation of the service to improve her own practice. This limits the cycle of continuous improvement and review that has been established. Due to her enthusiasm, this has not limited the progress young people are making. They have continued to improve their skills in socialisation, communication, independence and community activity. Staff value their unique qualities and skills, and they develop in happiness and self-esteem. Records demonstrate that staff take action to ensure young people’s safety and welfare, both in the home and when they are enjoying family contact. They liaise effectively with appropriate professionals, to ensure contact arrangements are safe. They are flexible about how they offer support to families, so that young

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people’s experience is positive and meets their emotional needs. Young people are encouraged to express their choices and opinions, and staff promote this self- determination where possible. This is evident in the way young people’s personality and interests shape the home they live in. Staff demonstrate clear enjoyment in their work, and say this is in large part to happy teamwork, and the way managers have supported their improved understanding of how to deliver safe care that empowers young people and meets their needs. They have participated in training and reflection that has helped them to develop their skills in supporting the individual needs of young people. Managers ensure there is continuous professional development opportunities available. Staff are undertaking introductory level qualifications that help them to understand autism. Staff have identified that one young person has sensory needs, but have

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

yet to secure a sensory assessment for her. This limits their capacity to support her holistic needs, although they have begun to address several areas, such as how to introduce new tastes to improve her diet, and how to improve her tactile intolerance to showering and using the toilet. This progress enables her to enjoy a greater breadth of life experience and choice. Staff demonstrate the ability to proactively plan to support young people’s behaviour and communication. This improves their ability to self-regulate their emotions. Simple tools, such as ‘now and next’ schedules help young people to understand short term plans. As a result, young people manage their feelings much better, as staff help them to stay calm by coaching them to recognise when they are feeling upset. This has reduced the level of significant incidents in the home. There have been no restraints. Staff have worked with one young person

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and medical professionals, to reduce the amount of behaviour control medication he was prescribed. He reports that he feels much better, and staff are delighted at his improved self-control. This has improved the safety and wellbeing of all. Young people enjoy warm and trusting relationships with staff. Staff support such as role play or pretend play helps them to cope with places like hospitals. Their health improves because specialists have greater opportunity to examine them and gather clear information from staff. Arrangements for the administration of medication are generally sound. Young people get the medication they need at the right time. Parents and professionals have given consent for one young person to take some of her essential medication in food, as she does not like to take tablets. Staff have not planned to reduce the need for this practice, as set out in the organisational or national guidelines for

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

ensuring medication is given with the knowledge of the individual taking it. Key workers maintain child-focused and regularly reviewed care programmes for young people. The home has some support from an autism specialist, and use this to good effect when creating strategies and targets that help young people to make progress. Young people confidently complete routines that staff support them to achieve. These routines provide pathways to enable them to explore new activities, and enhance their skills and understanding of the world, attend school, and become independent. Because young people are confident in the support staff give them, they are more willing to vary their routines and become more flexible in their habits. One young person is being helped to understand that he can enjoy playing his favourite games on the games console, but that he can also take part in other activities such as going out. He has enjoyed holidays away with staff, and

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

this has helped him to experience lots of fun and new activities. Staff capture young people’s progress in assessments of their care targets and detailed and proactive risk management plans that are regularly reviewed and captured in detailed and informative reports. They acknowledge, record and celebrate young people’s potential and progress, and enable parents and professionals to share their pride in young people’s achievements.

p.4

Information about this children's home

 This home provides accommodation and care for two young people with learning disabilities  The home is owned by a private organisation

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

05/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.5

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.

p.6

Employment of staff

33.—(4) The registered person must ensure that all employees— (b) receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience 21/04/2016

p.6

Employment of staff

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should ensure that sensory assessment is undertaken for young people, to enable staff to maximise and tailor opportunities for young people to develop themselves in accordance with their needs and interests, and have fun. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 31, paragraph 6.4)

p.6

Employment of staff

 The registered person should ensure that all medication administration follows organisational and NICE guidance, particularly with regard to reducing the need for covert medication practice. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 35, paragraph 7.17)

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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

p.8