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 good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection in August 2015, the home has undergone a period of change with young people moving to planned placements, and new young people joining the home. Where they have recently moved in, young people say they received a warm welcome from staff and quickly became familiar with the home, staff and their peers. They said that they the positive welcome made them feel less anxious and worried about the move. Young people continue to progress in all areas of their lives. One young person has started school full time after a considerable period away from education. Liaison between schools and staff is good, and young people’s progress and challenges are effectively communicated between both sites meaning that support can be targeted where necessary. Where young people are new to the home, and not yet in school, they have educational activities in place whilst suitable provision is sought meaning that they continue to make progress.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s transition to adult services is well managed and staff work with young people, families and professionals to ensure that young people are fully prepared and involved in their move, minimising distress. All young people develop appropriate life skills assisting their move towards young adulthood. These include cooking, laundry, keeping their rooms clean and tidy, and other day to day chores. This ensures that they learn essential skills preparing them for the future. The registered manager and staff work in close partnership with other agencies to promote young people’s safety. There have been no incidents of young people going missing from care or having unauthorised absences since the last inspection. Good relationships between young people and staff reinforces their safety as staff recognise where young people’s behaviour becomes heightened and they divert and deescalate potentially difficult situations, leading to a pleasant and calm

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

atmosphere for all. Young people continue to attend all routine and specialist health appointments meaning that their health care is optimised. Healthy diets and active lifestyles underpin this goal. Young people continue to develop personal care skills, and key work sessions reinforce and enrich young people’s understanding of their own health and personal care. Consultation with young people remains good. Weekly meetings take place where young people choose activities and devise a menu with staff support. One young person commented, ’I know staff listen to me. They like to know what I think’. Young people know their views are important and that staff will take action where possible – for example, one young person expressed a wish to see members of their family, and this was arranged. Partnership working is good and social workers reported positively about the home. One said, ’the staff are efficient and accurate in their reporting’. Another said,’ his

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

cultural identity is maintained at the home, I have no concerns’. The registered manager continues to lead a motivated and committed team whose aim is to promote the safety and welfare of each young person in their care. In addition, young people lead a good of quality life where fun and enjoyment are prioritised. Monitoring of the home occurs through monthly checks by the independent visitor and through regular audits by the registered manager. Risk assessments are developed and updated in response to young people’s changing needs and these identify strategies to promote young people’s safety and welfare. The registered manager has a good grasp of the strengths of the service and areas for development. This includes improving young people’s involvement in the day to day life of the home and improving families’ access to information. His is particularly pertinent when English is not their first language. The registered

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

manager and staff are committed to ensuring the service continues to evolve and meet young people’s needs. Two requirements made at the last inspection have been met. Sofas have been replaced and other areas of the home improved. The home has a warm, family feel and has a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all young people. In addition, the registered manager ensures that all recruitment checks are rigorously undertaken promoting the protection of young people in his care. Two requirements are made at this inspection. Not all staff have obtained the level 3 diploma in residential childcare qualification within the necessary timescale commensurate with their role. In addition, staff have not received training in child sexual exploitation, radicalisation, and mental health reflecting the particular needs of the young people they care for. Consequently, staff may not have all the necessary information and skills they need to care for young people with complex

p.3

Information about this children's home

This home is part of a private children’s care organisation. The home is registered to accommodate up to three young people with learning disabilities, sensory impairments and emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

10/02/2015 CH - Interim Declined effectiveness

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that any individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform; this specifically relates to staff obtaining the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England). (Regulation 32 (3) (b) (4) (a)) 16/05/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate professional development, in particular in understanding child sexual exploitation, children's mental health and in the radicalisation of young people. (Regulation 33(4)(a)) 16/05/2016

p.5

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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.7

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.7