Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged as good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people are very positive about their experience of living here. In the words of one young person: ‘Staff are great. I wouldn’t change anything here.’ Visiting professionals consistently commend the drive and commitment of the registered manager. As a result, young people continue to make good progress here, underpinned by high-quality support and consistency from staff.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Since the last inspection, two young people have left the home and two have moved in. The manager effectively plans all transitions. He makes sure that the needs of the young people currently resident are considered, and that staff have appropriate skills and experience to meet the presenting needs of new young people. Staff work effectively with young people and their families to build positive relationships. One placing social worker commented: ‘He has settled remarkably well. Staff have connected really well with him and made him feel very welcome.’ Staff support and encourage young people to prepare for independence, teaching cooking skills, and how to budget and access support services. Staff are encouraging and persistent. This means that young people are now better prepared for the extra responsibilities that come with living independently. As a result, young people are supported to make positive transitions into semi-

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people who have recently arrived at the home say that staff made them feel very welcome. Staff make sure that they receive a copy of the children’s guide and understand how to make a complaint. As one young person said, ‘a good explanation of what to expect’. This gives young people a realistic understanding of what is expected of them, living here, and what the home has to offer.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Most young people attend school regularly and are making consistent, positive progress. For others, when their behaviour has presented specific challenges within school, staff have persistently advocated on their behalf to identify alternative options to ensure that they have to access opportunities to achieve their educational potential. Staff communicate effectively with education colleagues to ensure that there is consistency of approach and that learning opportunities are maximised. A pastoral head of a school described staff as ‘constructive and supportive.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff continue to support young people to access a range of specialist services to make sure that their physical, psychological and emotional needs are met. Staff support young people effectively to make positive choices in managing their own health needs, for example in managing medication.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager has introduced a new format for young people’s meetings that has broadened their contribution to the care arrangements. The manager ensures that the outcomes of these discussions are actively met, and young people are now informed of any action taken following their comments. As a result, young people report that they feel listened to and consulted.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This is a stable staff team and there remains a good balance of experience among staff. There is a good gender balance and staff provide positive role models for young people. Staff have a range of skills and have received relevant training to meet the needs of the young people placed. Most staff are qualified, and those who are unqualified are within regulatory timescales to obtain their qualification. This makes sure that staff have the right skills and knowledge to work effectively with young people. Young people consistently speak highly of staff, describing their positive impact on their lives.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A committed and enthusiastic registered manager leads the home. A competent deputy manager ably supports him. Both are committed to developing the service.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager has responded promptly to the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. He has established a development plan for the home. He has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and identified areas for future development. He has strengthened the quality of care reviews to ensure that they now identify areas for future progress and consider the views of family members, social workers and other professionals, which was a shortfall at the last inspection. This means that the manager is able to assess effectively how the home meets the needs of young people living there.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people say that they feel safe at the home and they are confident that staff will respond appropriately to concerns that they may have. All young people are able to identify trusted staff with whom they could raise concerns.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager and staff make sure that positive behaviour is consistently promoted in the home. There have been no incidents necessitating physical intervention since the last inspection. The staff are all committed to this being the last option for managing challenging behaviour, and extensive work is undertaken to de-escalate and thus prevent the need for physical intervention. Sanctions are used appropriately. When they are used, the sanction is specific to the incident and the effectiveness of the sanction is reviewed.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Since the last inspection, there has been only one incident of a young person going missing. This was appropriately managed. There are robust procedures in place. Staff are vigilant for the presenting risks and have clear strategies in place to address them.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager ensures that risk assessments are completed and regularly updated. These detailed assessments identify triggers and review risk management strategies to make sure that staff respond proactively to changing circumstances. Staff use key-working sessions to help young people to reflect on their risk-taking behaviour. For some young people living here, sexually harmful behaviour and the risk of online grooming are areas of concern. Staff respond effectively and make referrals to specialist agencies. This makes sure that young people are supported to access specialist support and information to help them to make the right choices to keep themselves safe.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Partnership working is strong. Social workers and other professionals commend the commitment of staff. All are consistently positive about the quality and regularity of the information that they receive from staff. As one headteacher wrote at an end of placement review: ‘Staff are open, warm and understanding of the complex needs of the young person in question. They were certainly keen to develop communication routes and purposeful partnerships.’ As a result, young people experience an integrated approach to meeting their needs and promoting their welfare. Staff challenge services effectively when they consider that plans do not adequately meet young people’s needs, for example challenging delays in the completion of pathway plans. This partnership working helps young people to overcome difficulties that previously affected their development.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff support young people’s relationships with family members effectively. Young people benefit from structured and agreed contact arrangements with family members. Plans are regularly monitored and, when issues have arisen, staff have advocated to ensure that contact plans are amended in a timely way to meet the needs of the young people. This enables young people to maintain positive relationships with their families and develop their identity.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The three requirements raised at the last inspection have all been met. There are no shortfalls identified as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behaviour difficulties. A private company operates the service.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 31/05/2016 Full Good 16/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/08/2015 Full Good 05/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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