Setting in Birmingham

inspection

On 08/12/2015, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation. This was, to prevent any new admissions following a judgement of inadequate at the full inspection on 24/11/2015. Ofsted lifted the restriction on 15/01/2016.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, the home was 'not judged' .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This inspection follows the monitoring visit on 14 January 2016, which occurred due to an inadequate judgement at the last full inspection on 24 November 2015. On 05 January 2016, the young person in placement at the time of the full inspection, left to go onto independence. The home has not admitted any young people since then.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Consequently, it is not possible to report on the progress and experiences of children and young people since the last inspection. However, the responsible person and staff have made a number of significant improvements to the home, which enhance both the surroundings and the opportunities for young people to progress. Refurbishment of the home is now complete and provides a warm and welcoming environment for young people to relax and focus on their own needs. The comfortable bedrooms and living areas offer young people the opportunity to personalise their spaces and to spend time alone or together as they wish.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have installed a mixing desk in the new study room, so that young people can write and record their own music. This facility will also serve as a therapeutic tool for young people, supporting their emotional well-being when they are in crisis or are struggling to manage their emotions and behaviour. Enthusiastic staff have worked hard to identify a wide range of activities for young people in the community to support their physical well-being, social and independence skills. These include the local leisure centre, local free cinema and a centre for information about housing for young people who are becoming independent. Staff are also currently sourcing art and music activities and studio spaces. The manager has put a new record of achievement document in place to identify, review and reward young people’s achievements on a weekly basis. There is a new interim manager, who has several years’ experience of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

management and working with young people. He has made significant strides in engaging the staff in a complete overhaul of the running of the home and of their practice. Staff now feel a real sense of leadership and structure in the home. They have enthusiastically embraced the manager’s demands that they gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the quality standards and regulations. Each staff member is championing a quality standard. They demonstrate an understanding of how the standards are linked, and how to apply them for the benefit of young people. The manager and responsible person have reviewed all policies and have updated the statement of purpose. They have also implemented systems for robust risk assessment and monitoring of staff practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no incidents or accidents since the last inspection and the staff team has ensured that the home is well maintained and safe for young people. Risk assessments, impact assessments and behaviour management plans are in place to provide the structure and guidance for staff to ensure that they keep young people safe. Staff have the skills and knowledge to work with young people to help them keep themselves safe. Staff are trained in safeguarding and further relevant training is ongoing. The manager has demonstrated a full awareness of the need to notify local authorities and Ofsted of any incidents, which they consider significant regarding young people and the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and the manager have been proactively making links with other agencies and services in the community in order to support young people’s experiences and progress. These include education, the police and health professionals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The responsible person has ensured that he has appropriately addressed all of the requirements and recommendations from the last full inspection. This had led to significant improvements in the staff’s understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They evidence their ability to identify and manage risk and to provide young people with consistent boundaries and quality of care. One staff member stated, ‘The benefit of all the changes for young people will be that staff will do it right, and get the outcomes for young people right’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is now ready to admit young people.

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Information about this children's home

This privately-owned children’s home is registered to provide care for up to two children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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