Children's home run by Aspire Residential Care Home Limited in Birmingham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, staff and managers have worked proactively with other agencies to ensure improvements in the experiences and outcomes for young people. The attendance and engagement of some young people in education continues to be below desired levels, but there is clear evidence of work being done to address this. This includes regular meetings with education providers and placing social workers and clear plans to support young people when they refuse to engage or attend. One placing social worker commented: ‘I cannot fault the care and support the staff and managers provide to the young person. They work tirelessly to try and encourage and engage them in education.’ For other young people, their attendance and engagement in education has improved since the last inspection. They have plans for further education, have secured paid part-time employment and are seeking apprenticeships in the local area. For some young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people, from their starting points, these are significant achievements for them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy positive and regular contact with family members and significant others. Staff fully support contact plans and receive praise from placing social workers about this, with one stating: ‘The staff go above and beyond to support contact arrangements and encourage young people to have friends round and to have sleep-overs. This has really made a difference to my young person and is very important to them.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of physical restraint in the home is minimal, with staff demonstrating competence and skill in being able to de-escalate situations. Recently, managers have secured the services of an independent specialist to do focused work on behaviour management with staff and young people. This reflects the commitment of managers to ensuring that complex needs are known and met consistently. Managers have also commissioned the services of a psychologist to assess and provide direct work and support to young people. Again, this reflects a real commitment by staff and managers in considering the needs of young people and working imaginatively to meet them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no reported incidents of young people going missing from care since the last inspection. Care plans and risk assessments reflect the current and changing needs of each young person. Staff regularly meet with young people to consider their plans and assessments. They actively encourage them to consider and contribute to relevant documentation. This enables young people to have a clear understanding of the care and support they need and being active participants in the care they receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been very few complaints reported since the last inspection. The manager responds very quickly and effectively to any concerns raised by young people. This includes providing them with acknowledgement letters and clear timescales for resolving their complaint. One young person stated: ‘I know how to make a complaint, but don’t feel the need to, as I can talk to the staff or managers at any time and they sort things out for me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Five requirements and one recommendation were made as a result of the last inspection. The manager has devised a clear action plan to consider the identified shortfalls and has successfully addressed them and continues to make improvements to how the home is run. Two requirements have been made as a result of this inspection. The statement of purpose requires updating in relation to current management arrangements and would benefit from a revision of its content and length. Details of all placements made at the home do not currently include the statutory provision under which a young person is accommodated. Neither of these shortfalls has any adverse impact on young people or their safety.

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Information about this children's home

This privately run children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children or young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/03/2015 Interim Declined in 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

ensure that the statement of purpose is kept under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify Ofsted of any revisions and send them a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)) 29/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

ensure that records in Schedule 4 are maintained in the home. This is with specific reference to recording the statutory provision (if any) under which a child is accommodated. (Regulation 37(2)(a)) 29/04/2016

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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

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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