Children's home in Birmingham

This monitoring visit

This home was judged as inadequate at an inspection on 11 July 2016. A restriction notice was issued, dated 13 July 2016, preventing the home from accepting new young people. 13 requirements were also made. This monitoring visit assessed whether the home was complying with the restriction notice. It also assessed the progress the home had made in meeting the requirements made at the full inspection. All young people have been discharged from the home. The organisation intends to close the home voluntarily in the near future. Previous requirements were in relation to  managers and staff failing to work with young people’s wider networks to ensure that young people’s needs are met,  a poor home environment,  poor planning for independence work,  a shortfall in ensuring that young people’s files are safely and securely stored, thus impacting on their privacy,  shortfalls in fire safety, and  shortfalls in completing physical intervention records.

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This monitoring visit

Managers and staff worked closely with placing authorities to ensure that young people’s transitions to their new placements went smoothly and in according with their plan, minimising their distress and discomfort. Staff helped young people to organise their possessions and to buy any additional items they needed prior to leaving, so that they felt prepared to move to their new homes. The home environment is in a state of change as young people have moved out, and managers and staff are clearing the home and cleaning up following their departures. Following the full inspection, a fire safety officer from Staffordshire fire service visited the home to inspect fire arrangements, as there were concerns that a young person had barricaded herself in her bedroom and smoked, using electrical implements to light her cigarettes. The fire safety officer made a number of recommendations to managers including the home having waking night staff, and

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This monitoring visit

the young person moved bedroom so that she was unable to barricade herself in her room. Managers complied with these recommendations, and the fire safety officer concluded that these steps improved the safety of young people and staff.

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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 young people, irrespective of gender, with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that must be taken so that the registered persons 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 persons must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

8: The education standard 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. 26/08/2016

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Requirement Due date

9: The enjoyment and achievement standard In order to meet the enjoyment and achievement standard, the registered person must ensure (2)(a) that staff help each child to (i) develop interests and hobbies; (ii) participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child's interests and preferences; and (iii) make a positive contribution to the home and wider community. 26/08/2016

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Requirement Due date

10: The health and well-being standard In order to meet the health and wellbeing standard, the registered person must ensure that 26/08/2016 (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.

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Requirement Due date

11: The positive relationships standard (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. 26/08/2016

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard The protection of children standard is 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. 26/08/2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that (a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and (b) promotes their welfare. (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 26/08/2016 the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s 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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the privacy of children is effectively protected. (Regulation 21(a)) 26/08/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an individual who works in a care home in a care role has the appropriate qualification by the relevant date. The appropriate qualification is (4)(a) the level 3 diploma for residential childcare (England) (‘the level 3 diploma’). The relevant date is (5)(b) in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1 April 2014, 1 April 2016. (Regulation 32(4)(a)(5)(b) 26/08/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33(4)(a)) 26/08/2016

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. in 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 this 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 children looked after 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

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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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