Children's home run by Thoughts of Others Limited in Birmingham

This monitoring visit

This home was last inspected in July 2016 and judged to be inadequate. In addition to several requirements, a compliance notice was issued. This was in relation to ensuring that staff are receiving appropriate supervision at the home. This monitoring visit was undertaken to evaluate the provider’s response to the compliance notice. A further two regulatory areas, relating to the manager’s own monitoring, were also evaluated as part of this visit.

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This monitoring visit

The management of the home has changed since the last inspection. A registered manager from another home in the organisation is now overseeing the home.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has taken appropriate action to meet the compliance notice. All staff have now received practice-related supervision and these sessions have been appropriately recorded. Furthermore, the home’s statement of purpose in this regard is now followed better. The acting manager has ensured that supervision sessions discuss relevant areas of practice: review of job role, progress of young people, policy and procedural awareness, records, responsibilities, training needs and personal development. This is further enhanced by the recorded targets that are now being introduced for staff. This means that progress can now be measured, and any concerns discussed and resolved. The compliance notice has been met.

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This monitoring visit

Similarly, the acting manager has submitted a regulation 45 report, as required by the last inspection. However, this document does not fully meet regulation. The views of young people, parents, carers and placing services are not appropriately considered as part of the manager’s own monitoring. This means that the manager’s own review is affected by this lack of required detail. Consequently, it is not clear how any third-party feedback is driving improvement in the home. A regulatory requirement has been made to address this shortfall.

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This monitoring visit

There has been a marked increase in the use of physical intervention since the last inspection. The staff team is recording all incidents where there has been physical contact between a young person and staff. This includes guiding young people away from situations, for example. The recording of these incidents is not wholly effective. The records do not always detail that the registered person or their appointed delegate has spoken to the young person about the use of the measure. This means that key information resulting from these incidents is not always captured or, if necessary, acted upon.

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This monitoring visit

There are some improvements to the home since the last inspection. Areas of the home are being redecorated, and there have been improvements to some recording systems. Staff are following set tasks and routines, and regular audits are now taking place. Ofsted will continue to monitor this home and ensure that the provider takes appropriate action to meet the outstanding regulatory requirements.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A private company owns and operates this home.

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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

Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that, within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(c)) 28/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(5)) 28/10/2016

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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. out 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

to 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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