Children's home run by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in Dudley

Lisa Walsh

This home was last inspected in July 2016. Nine requirements, including two compliance notices, were issued at this time. This visit took place to evaluate the organisation’s response to these requirements.

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Lisa Walsh

Following the last visit, the home quickly returned to its registered number of young people. The registered manager has taken appropriate actions to meet the two compliance notices and seven further regulatory shortfalls. As a result, there have been some improvements to the quality of care in the home.

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Lisa Walsh

Relationships have improved with placing social workers. There is now better communication between all parties and necessary information is appropriately shared, reviewed and acted upon. This results in a more consistent approach to meeting young people’s needs. This is further enhanced through the registered manager seeking input from specialist services to better meet the needs of young people. For example, where young people have sensory needs, additional staff training has been put in place. This results in a staff team that is better skilled and able to meet complex needs. Young people’s files now contain all required information. This ensures that staff are working in accordance with agreed plans and are aware of all necessary details relating to young people’s needs.

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Lisa Walsh

Risk management has improved. At the last inspection visit, incomplete risk assessments meant that there was the potential for inconsistent and unsafe care to be given in the home. All young people now have up-to-date risk management plans. These detail likely risks to young people and give clear guidance to staff in managing these vulnerabilities. The registered manager ensures that these plans are regularly reviewed and amended where necessary. Similarly, there have been improvements to the physical environment. The bedroom that was previously inappropriately used for a young person is no longer being used. This ensures that all young people have appropriate personal space in which to sleep, relax and play.

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Lisa Walsh

Staffing levels are now better managed. The home is now working within its registered numbers, and this means that staffing levels are now appropriate. As a result, young people receive care from a staff team that is sufficient in number. Rotas for the upcoming weeks are clearly defined and there are sufficient staff. There are also contingency plans in place should staff be unavailable to work in the home. The registered manager has also amended the statement of purpose to make clear the home’s aims and objectives.

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Lisa Walsh

Medication arrangements are now safe and effective. All young people have detailed medication plans in place and staff are now clear in their responsibilities in administering medication. Further advice has been sought from young people’s medical teams around the safe use of medication. For example, where young people require pain relief, there are now clear protocols in place for the use of this medication. As a result, the potential for unsafe administration is reduced. This ensures that young people’s health needs are appropriately met.

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Lisa Walsh

The registered manager has liaised with the local fire and rescue service. A fire officer visited the home during this inspection visit. There are resulting actions from the fire officer’s visit. These include ensuring:  that a storage area has appropriate fire detection  that all staff are enabled to use firefighting equipment should they need to  that night time staff participate in fire drills  that all fire doors fully close and  that wall displays are made fire retardant.

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Lisa Walsh

One requirement has been made as a result of this inspection. This relates to ensuring that the requirements from the fire service are met.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of five local authority homes. It is registered for up to seven young people with learning disabilities and is situated within an urban area.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (a) 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 (2)(b)) 30/11/2016

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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. 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, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU

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Information about this inspection

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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