Children's home in Birmingham

Inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected and their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded, and their care and experiences are poor and they are not making progress.

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The children's home provision is inadequate because:

 Managers and staff are not safeguarding young people at the home.  Managers have failed to respond effectively to risks of fire when young people barricade themselves in their room and smoke.  Young people express fears about their own and staff safety.  Managers have failed to respond robustly to concerns about child sexual exploitation.  Managers have failed to ensure that staff work together consistently well as a team.  Managers and staff have failed to ensure that all young people have a healthy and active lifestyle with a variety of interests and community activities.  Managers have not ensured that young people make progress with their independence plans.  Managers and staff have not ensured that the home’s keys are kept safely, and young people have expressed concern about their privacy.  Managers have failed to ensure that all staff have received essential training, enabling them to have the necessary skills and knowledge to meet

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The children's home provision is inadequate because:

young people’s complex needs.  Leadership and management shortfalls mean that reviewing and monitoring processes are not thorough.

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The children's home strengths

 The inspector observed positive relationships between one young person and staff. Since the last inspection, this young person has increased in self- confidence.

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The children's home strengths

 Staff have helped one young person back into education and assisted her to remain motivated and focussed on her educational course, thus improving her educational progress.

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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 ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff— (a) seek to involve each child's placing authority effectively in the child's care, in accordance with the child's relevant plans; (b) seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child's needs; (d) seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children's home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5(a)(b)(d)) 5 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must ensure that staff (2)(b)(vi) help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult. (c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to— (i) meet the needs of each child. 5 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the education standard so that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so, the registered person must ensure— (2)(a) that staff— (ix) help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. 26 August 2016 9: The enjoyment and achievement standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the enjoyment and achievement standard, the registered person must ensure— (2)(a) that staff— (i) help each child to develop interests and hobbies; (ii) participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child's interests and preferences; (iii) make a positive contribution to the home and wider community. 26 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the health and well-being standard, the registered person must ensure that— (a) the health and well-being needs of children are met; (b) children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and (c) children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. 26 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

(1) The positive relationship standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on— (a) mutual respect and trust; (b) an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and (c) positive responses to other children and adults. 26 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, to ensure that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) that staff— (i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child's relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare. 26 August 2016 13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, (1) the registered person must enable, inspire and lead a culture in relation to the children's home that— (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— (a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the statement of purpose; (b) ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; (f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 26 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the privacy of children is effectively protected. Regulation 21(a)) 5 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to the home, the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25(a)(b)) 5 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

An individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained— (4)(a) the level 3 diploma for residential childcare (England) (‘the level 3 diploma’). (5) The relevant date is— (a) in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home on 1 April 2014, 1 April 2016. (Regulation 32(4)(a), (5)(a)). 26 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33(4)(a)) 26 August 2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— Within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (‘the authorised person’)— (i) has spoken to the user about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)) 5 August 2016

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Information about this children's home

The home is managed by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to four children of either gender 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

20 October 2015 Interim Declined effectiveness

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Inadequate

Serious safeguarding concerns impede young people’s progress. Safeguarding concerns have emerged at the home as a result of a young person barricading herself in her bedroom and smoking, increasing the risk of fire. In addition, there are grave concerns about staff and young people’s safety and ability to escape should a fire occur. Managers and staff are failing to respond effectively to concerns about one young person who is at risk of child sexual exploitation, resulting in an increased risk of harm. Young people’s relationships with staff are not always positive and constructive. Staff lack direction from managers about how to work effectively as a team to meet young people’s needs. Managers and staff do not provide individualised care for young people. Some staff work very well with one young person and facilitate change through positive work, including, for example, helping her to make improved progress with her education and with her emotional health. Another

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Inadequate

young person has not made positive progress as she has not received consistent support from staff. She lacks a regular routine, and spends most of her day in her room. Staff report her room being in an unhygienic state, and a decline in the young person looking after her personal care. This lack of progress has been exacerbated by a lack of direction and oversight by managers. Young people attend education placements, but not all have attended punctually or fully. One attended only 22 out of a possible 35 days, and this after a significant period out of education altogether. There are no plans in place for her education, training or work placement during the next academic year. Given their complex needs, forward planning is essential to bolster young people’s enthusiasm and capture their interest in learning or work. Opportunities to support young people’s progress towards adulthood are missed. Not all young people enjoy positive emotional health. Managers and staff have not

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Inadequate

established and have not reinforced rules and boundaries in a consistent way for young people to understand. Staff say that young people can manipulate situations due to a lack of consistent practice. Young people do not feel confident in the care of all staff. Young people expressed concern to the inspector about the behaviour of their peer, and about their safety and that of the staff. Young people’s anxieties and worries are increased rather than diminished as a result of the care that they receive. Not all young people enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Observations during this inspection noted that one young person would remain in bed, in her room, until late afternoon. Managerial oversight and vision is poor as staff are not promoting her health by ensuring that she has exercise, a routine and a healthy diet. Staff do not follow a consistent approach and encourage her to get up and participate in activities and routines. Consequently, this young person’s health is compromised.

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Inadequate

Some young people attend meetings with staff and feel confident in expressing their views and wishes. However, they are not always confident that these are followed up thoroughly and say that they are not always informed of the outcome of their requests. Young people lack confidence that adults listen to them and take their views seriously. Staff practice relating to preparing young people for adult life is poor. Given their ages, staff lack focus and direction about how to help young people progress positively towards adulthood. Young people sometimes help with chores in the home and some take responsibility for looking after their rooms, but efforts appear unplanned. The staff team does not review and set targets for young people, helping them to learn new skills and make progress towards their independence. Young people lack support and consistent help in their move towards adulthood. The home is a pleasant environment for young people. Some areas are well

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Inadequate

furnished, such as the living room, and hallway, but lack a homely feel. Other areas, such as the stairwell and upstairs landing, look institutionalised and need personalising. Some aspects of the home need attention, for example the cooker is not fully functional, the garden lacks any furniture, and young people had requested a trampoline for fun and enjoyment but this had not yet been provided. These areas need attention to ensure that the home provides a comfortable and stimulating environment for young people.

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Inadequate

Young people are not safeguarded at the home. Managers do not take effective action when a young person barricades herself in her bedroom and smokes. Another young people expresses fears about her own safety and that of staff. A lack of consistent care practice among staff compounds this issue. For example, when one young person uses electrical implements as an ignition source for cigarettes, not all staff follow the home protocol by ensuring that these are locked away when used. Not all staff adopt the same approach and challenge young people, when necessary, to ensure safety for all. As a result, the safety of everyone at the home is in jeopardy. Managers have not robustly followed up concerns about child sexual exploitation. While discussions take place with local police and placing authorities, recent increased concerns about child sexual exploitation have not been dealt with thoroughly, resulting in increased risk to young people. Other young people

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Inadequate

express alarm about potential risks to themselves and to staff. Managers have not scrutinised practice, including recording, and have failed to identify and address safeguarding issues including an incident when a staff member took a young person out of the home. The member of staff had not recorded where he had been with the young person, and there was no communication between the staff member and home staff for the duration of the outing. No records were made in the young person’s file and managers are not clear what events took place during this time. Young people’s safety is seriously compromised. Since the last inspection, numerous staff changes mean that consistent, good quality teamwork has not been achieved. Not all staff have the ability and confidence to challenge young people when behavioural support is required. For example, where there are difficulties in encouraging a young person to get up and

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Inadequate

start their day, staff have different views about how this can be achieved. Managers are not being clear about standards of practice, expectations and routines. This means that effective and consistent behavioural support with young people is lacking. Progress is not achieved as young people lack confidence in the staff’s approach towards them, as expectations and boundaries are unclear. Young people express concern to staff and to the inspector about their privacy. A number of incidents have occurred when house keys went missing and young people gained access to the staff office where their personal information is held. A young person told the inspector that she was worried that personal information about her could be passed to others. This made them feel unsafe. Consequently, young people’s emotional welfare and self-confidence are being compromised. Safe recruitment practice protects young people living at the home from adults

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Inadequate

who may wish to harm them. Visitors are carefully checked and vetted. This promotes safety in the home.

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Inadequate

The registered manager has been in post since February 2015. She has a foundation degree in therapeutic childcare and is working towards her level 5 diploma in the management of residential services. Young people do not live in a home that is appropriately managed or monitored. Since the last inspection, considerable additional concerns have been identified, including safeguarding issues. Managers are aware that one young person has prevented staff from accessing her room by putting furniture in front of the door and smoking in her room. This presents a serious risk of fire for all at the home. The registered manager has considered ways of addressing this issue and reducing the risks for young people and staff, but has failed to act to remedy the situation. Managers have failed to robustly follow up child sexual exploitation concerns. This failure results in increased risks to young people. One young person told the

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Inadequate

inspector that her safety and that of staff was at risk, and that managers were not listening to her. Young people’s anxiety increases. Managers have failed to respond to safeguarding matters appropriately, including involving young people’s placing authorities or convening professionals’ meetings. This places young people at risk of harm. There is a lack of rigorous oversight of documents and records. Managers have not scrutinised daily records and identified gaps in the records. For example, a member of staff took one young person out of the home, did not maintain contact with staff at the home, and did not record this event in the daily logbook. This is a serious safeguarding concern. The quality of written reports about young people varies. The quality and frequency of key-work sessions with young people also varies, and staff said that they were not sure how or what should be recorded. Physical intervention records

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Inadequate

are not thoroughly written up. Some lack feedback from young people, meaning that young people have not had the opportunity to reflect on their experience. Staff checks on the home’s vehicles are not always completed. Staff told the inspector that they were not sure whether documents had not been completed because cars were being repaired, or whether staff had forgotten to complete the checks and complete the log. It is unclear if vehicles have been checked in line with organisational procedures, and whether young people are safe in being transported in them. Since the last inspection, staff changes continue. There is a small group of permanent staff, complemented by bank and agency staff. Young people complained to the inspector about the staff changes and a lack of a consistent team. These affect young people’s ability to form trusting and caring relationships with staff. In addition, managers have failed to ensure that staff work together as

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Inadequate

a team with identified targets and methods of working with young people. Young people lack confidence in staff’s ability to care for them effectively. There are serious shortfalls in staff training. Not all staff have received training in safeguarding and in protecting children from child sexual exploitation. Not all staff have achieved the obligatory level 3 diploma in caring for children and young people within the required timescale. Consequently, not all staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to care for young people and meet their overall needs. Not all requirements from the last inspection have been met. Specifically, those not met are shortfalls relating to physical intervention logs, and failure to ensure that staff work as a team. Given the increasing shortfalls identified at this inspection, the home is failing to achieve its aims and objectives as set out in its statement of purpose.

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Inadequate

The registered manager is aware of many of the deficiencies in the running of the home, and has plans in place to remedy these. However, insufficient progress has been made to date.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection’. An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements

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What the inspection judgements mean

are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 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

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and ‘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 0300 123 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, work- based 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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