Children's home run by N H Care Limited in Birmingham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home is going through a period of change. The registered manager is spending time at another home, and an interim manager is in post.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make progress because of the care and support provided by staff at the home. Two young people are at full time school and both their attendance and punctuality are excellent. Feedback from a teacher confirmed the good working relationship between the school and staff, which contributed to the considerable progress made by one young person. The teacher commented, ‘We contact each other at the beginning and end of each day to make sure that we are all kept up to date about his progress. Staff are responsive to any requests for information.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person continues to be tutored at the home full time and does not have a school placement. Staff liaise with appropriate professionals, but no school has been identified despite him living at the home for six months. The young person engages in some innovative work with his tutor including making video diaries as well as continuing to develop functional skills. Nevertheless, this young person is missing the opportunities to form friendships outside the home and to engage with adults and peers in an educational environment.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The majority of requirements made at the previous inspection have been met. Improvements have been made to the living room, and the front wall has been repaired. Young people commented favourably about their home. One said,’ I love this room and my bedroom. Staff involve us with everything to do with decoration and how it all looks.’ The home is undergoing a planned programme of refurbishment, with new soft furnishings, decoration and furniture in communal areas and in young people’s bedrooms. This will improve the overall look of the home and ensure that good standards are maintained for young people’s benefit.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s placement and healthcare plans are regularly updated. This means that staff have the latest information available, to enable them to support young people effectively. Young people continue to attend all their regular routine health appointments, and when necessary, they receive support from therapeutic services to help. For example, with managing feelings and emotions. Young people are helped to appropriately manage their relationships with others in the house.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The completion of physical intervention logs has improved in some areas, specifically in gaining feedback from young people following an incident. However, records do not always include details of the type of physical intervention used, and adult signatures. Consequently, physical restraint records remain incomplete.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have plans in place to ensure that all staff have gained their diploma level 3 qualification in working with children and young people in residential care. Staff have either completed the course or are enrolled on it, or will start once they have completed their probation.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to undertake chores and activities helping them to progress towards adulthood with suitable skills and abilities to live an independent life in the future. They have responsibilities to keep their rooms clean and tidy, to help with their laundry and other domestic chores. In addition, plans are in place to help young people begin to travel independently to school, money management and cooking. Young people confirmed that they enjoy taking more responsibility, increasing their self-esteem and self-confidence.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been two complaints by young people. Young people do receive verbal feedback about the outcome. However, they do not receive an explanation in writing of the process of any investigation, or a written outcome. This is contrary to the organisation’s policy of managing complaints.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and new interim manager work well together to ensure that all routine monitoring of the home continues to be undertaken. Partnership working with others remains a strength. For example, a local police officer continues to visit staff and young people and provide advice and support to all.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This home is part of a private children’s care organisation. The home is registered to accommodate up to three young people with learning disabilities, sensory impairments and behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/07/2016 Full Good 16/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/08/2015 Full Good 10/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

p.4

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

7: The children's views, wishes and feelings standard

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children's views, wishes and feelings standard, the registered person must ensure that staff

p.5

Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(ii)help each child to express views, wishes and feelings (d) ensure that an explanation is given to each child as soon as reasonably practicable after the child's arrival about - (i)the children's guide (ii) how to make a complaint or representation in relation to the home or the care the child receives and how any such complaint or representations will be dealt with 28/02/2017

p.5

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 that staff – (2)(a) (x) help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child's relevant plans. 28/02/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of the measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the date, time and location of the use of the measure, a description of the measure and its duration and the details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(iii)(iv)(v). 28/02/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): None.

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

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, workbased 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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

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

p.8