Children's Home run by Aston Children’s Care Ltd 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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home was last inspected in November 2015 where one recommendation was made. This has been met. This has resulted in young people being cared for by staff who have an increased understanding of their needs through receiving training in autism. Young people continue to make good progress at the home. New young people receive a warm welcome from staff and they are supported to settle in. Consequently, young people quickly adjust to their new environment and routines. Staff continue to strive to make positive relationships with all young people in their care. Young people benefit from good individualised care from an experienced and stable staff team; for example they receive personalised attentive care to support them with maintaining their personal health care, meaning that young people’s self-esteem and self-confidence is promoted. Partnership working remains a strength of the home. A Social Worker commented,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

‘I have always been impressed with the quality of information received from staff. They keep me informed of his progress’. Young people continue to learn to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Clear behaviour management plans and risk assessments identify strategies to deescalate situations and promote a harmonious environment. Consistent teamwork reinforces positive messages, and these are further strengthened by regular one to one key work sessions with young people. Young people understand the rules of the home and that they are in place to promote safety for all. Most young people attend school and where an education placement has not yet been found, staff are proactive in working with others to ensure a suitable provision is identified as soon as possible, maximising educational outcomes. Young people remain reassured that staff listen to them and take their views seriously, for example, one young person is interested in work experience, and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

staff have identified an appropriate opportunity. Another asked for some time in the community and now visits local shops independently. Young people know that adults listen to them and take their aspirations seriously. Young people’s ability to verbally communicate with others has improved. Where their needs dictate, staff employ additional methods of communication with some young people, for example picture symbols, meaning that information about their lives at the home is more accessible. Not all young people are fully involved in understanding their care planning, or participating in their care planning reviews. Consequently, they may miss opportunities to let professionals know their views and opinions. Young people continue to develop age appropriate self-care skills such as doing cooking, laundry and maintaining their rooms, but independence planning tools are not used by staff. As a result, young people’s progress and staff understanding of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

areas to focus on and advance may be missed. The home remains a very comfortable, clean and well maintained environment suitable for the needs of all young people. Young people personalise their rooms enabling them to feel a sense of ownership of their physical space, and to feel fully involved in the life of the home. Managers continue to review and monitor the effective running of the home. They work closely with the independent visitor and swiftly respond to suggestions and recommendations made by him. The manager has a good grasp of the strengths of the service and areas for development, including improving communication and accessibility of information for all young people. He is committed to ensuring the service continues to develop to meet the changing needs of young people in his care.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is privately operated and provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2014 CH - Interim Inadequate progress

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure the home works in partnership with relevant people as appropriate to ensure that each child is provided with support (appropriate to their age and understanding) to communicate their views, wishes and feelings and participate as fully as possible in all aspects of their care planning. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 22, paragraph 4.6).

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Recommendations

 ensure staff help each child to prepare for any moves from the home, whether they are returning home, moving to another placement or adult care, or to live independently. This includes supporting the child to develop emotional and mental resilience to cope without the home's support and, where the child is moving to live independently, practical skills such as cooking, housework, budgeting and personal self-care. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 7 paragraph 3.27).

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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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