Children's home run by Birmingham City Council 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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff are proactive and work in partnership with schools to replicate communication passports. The manager is committed to extending existing improvements across all children and young people’s schools. This sharing of communication programmes is helping to secure greater consistent in both the quality of care and learning for children and young people. Staff’s attending a sign language course will eventually lead to training for all staff in the home. There is a buzz about the service due to the knowledge and skills that staff are gaining from on-going training in understanding autism and sign language. Staff learn in an enabling environment as they practice signs with each other and with the children and young people. There is already a greater use of sign language and staff say ‘Children know who sign and they love it; they are so much more relaxed.’ Efforts to work towards an all-inclusive communicative community can also be seen

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

in increased signage throughout the home. Developments are excellently demonstrated by the new young people’s guide. Signs and symbols about choosing meals, activities, contacting parents and who looks after the children and young people at night enable them to understand the operation of the home. Better organisation and re-structuring of children and young people’s files improve the effectiveness of the home. There is now a good combination of essential and child focused information. The individuality of children and young people shines through documents such as ‘My visit to …. .’ In addition staff can quickly access essential information about day to day care in the ‘Things You Need to Know’ document which is located at the front of each child and young person’s file. Children, young people and their parents can be confident that care, safeguarding and individual needs are planned and catered for according to local authority short

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

break plans. Staff comments such as, ‘we realised we had to improve the evidence and writing about how children feel. Really how we write about them. Not just changing the paperwork’, shows they embrace and work hard to dive improvement in this service. Staff are able to reflect on their practice and therefore ensure children and young people remain central to their practice. Children and young people’s transitions to their short breaks is effectively managed due to these bespoke transition plans and individualised care planning for all children and young people. Improved effectiveness can also be exemplified by the manager translating all questionnaires into symbol form so all children and young people can give meaningful feedback. Staff also embrace the international nature of sign and symbol language. They feel this understanding can impact on the services that they provide to children and young people who do not have English as their first

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

language. This approach drives meaningful inclusion for all children, young people and families using the short break service. Children and young people continue to enjoy a range of activities both inside and outside the home. New challenges such as attending a graffiti-art club and learning how to cook provide them with fun and excellent learning experiences. These opportunities are possible because staff have excellent insight into the children and young people. They are quick to identify the needs, preferences and achievements of children and young people. For example staff knowledge ranges from kicking a ball higher, preferred types of rock music, favourite breakfast spreads and ketchups to the complex medical needs of children and young people. This attention to detail keeps children and young people safe, reduces anxiety and ensures enjoyment for children and young people. Good attention to detail also

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

means staff understand the sensory challenges of children and young people. For example understanding the sensory challenges around the smell of spray paint means staff can support young people to overcome anxieties so they can enjoy creative arts. Staff are not fazed by new challenges and are incredibly organised to ensure activities go ahead. For example the graffiti-art activity went ahead despite the home’s minibus being in the garage for repair. An early tea, additional staffing and checking out public transport meant children and young people still got to go on their activity. Staff also used this opportunity for some young people to try out and experience public transport as part of their life-skills programme. Staffing arrangements meet the needs of the children and young people. Emphasis on using part time staff to work additional hours and using the same agency staff promote stability and familiarity for children and young people. Staff are effective

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

in managing group dynamics. They plan group admission well and have good insight into the individual behavioural needs of children and young people. As a result there are no concerns about bullying at the service. Children and young people receive good quality care because the managers are forward thinking. They are already looking at agency staff profiles to accommodate future staff changes. This strategic approach gives consistency to the staff skill set and promotes stability for the children and young people. Parents are happy with the service provided by the home and feel staff have effective communication skills. Staff are good advocates for children and young people and work well in partnership with parents and social workers. Such communication skills ensure children and young people receive a safe and satisfactory service according to their own and their families’ wishes.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority service is registered to care for seven children with learning disabilities on short-break placements. The home’s statement of purpose states children can be of either gender, between the ages of 5-18 years and with a range of learning disabilities, including Autism.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/03/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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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