Children's home run by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in Walsall

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home was inspected in September 2015. Five requirements and two recommendations were raised. These concerns included a lack of recorded consultation with children, a limited range of activities and poor access to these, failures to fully implement safeguarding policies and the restriction of young people’s access within the home. The majority of shortfalls have been addressed although young people still do not have access to all appropriate areas of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection significant improvements have been made to internal records. These now incorporate young people’s thoughts, wishes and feelings. For some young people these are captured through verbal discussions and for others these are collated through the observation and assessment of responses. Staff evaluate these records to determine young people’s views on the home. They assess the positive impact this short break service has on young people’s progress and development. This ensures that the service continues to reflect their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s experience of the service continues to be positive. Placements enhance their personal development and growth; and they receive tailored care and support. Staff work with parents and professionals to devise ‘short break passports’. These provide a synopsis of young people’s complexities and vulnerabilities, along with their likes and dislikes. This compact document describes their physical and learning disabilities, medical needs and means of communication. As a result, young people experience consistent, integrated and well-planned care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers have taken steps to improve young people’s free access to activity equipment, toys and sensory stimulation. This enables them to make choices and express their preferences. Activities in the home are planned and young people are encouraged to learn new skills. This enhances their interpersonal and social relationships. The registered manager has reviewed and amended the statement of purpose. This documents details the aims and objectives of the service. It provides the placing authority, parents and other agencies with a clear overview of the services the home can provide. This helps to ensure that children are correctly placed and benefit from accessing this service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safe in the home. When incidents of concerns arise, including safeguarding and child protections matters, the registered manager refers these to relevant professionals for investigation. The use of physical restraint and sanctions are rare. Young people respond well to verbal and signed interventions. This encourages them to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviours. Nevertheless, certain areas of the home remain inaccessible to young people. For example, staff ensure the safety of some young people, by restricting access to the kitchen. This measure is applied to all young people regardless of their capabilities, skills or cognitive understanding. It is custom and practice in the home. The possible need to prevent access is not assessed for individual young people. The locking of doors places restrictions on some young people that impact on the freedom and movement of others. This shortfall is outstanding from the last

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

inspection. Young people’s placement and access to the service is extremely well planned. This is a considerable strength of the home. The registered manager and care managers work in partnership with parents, young people, the local authority, medical professionals and schools. Young people experience and number of ‘tea visits’ prior to staying in the home overnight. This enables them to build relationships with staff and other young people and this increases the likely success of the placement. Group compatibility is a primary consideration for all admissions to the service. The registered manager balances the individual needs of young people with their preferences. This means that their placement in the home is a positive experience and they have the opportunity to spend time with their friends.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are well supported in their role and participate in regular formal supervision sessions and team meeting. The registered manager uses these forums to review practice in the home and reflect on any incidents of concern. This forms part of the robust monitoring systems used to assess the quality of care provided by the service and evaluates young people’s overall progress and experience.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide short break care and accommodation for up to six children with learning disabilities and / or physical disabilities and / or sensory impairments. The home is owned and operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

22/12/2014 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

The registered person must ensure that children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home; is necessary and proportionate; is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21(b)(c)(i – iv)) 27/05/2016

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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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