Children's home in Dudley

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of this inspection, there were three young people living at the home. Since the last inspection, four young people have been discharged from the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has not had a registered manager in post since May 2016. Since this time, there has been one interim manager. The absence of a registered manager has resulted in a decline in effectiveness. This shortfall has created feelings of instability in the staff team and staff morale has declined as a result. This has led to a decrease in confidence in some staff practice. For example, staff have not received effective reflective supervision and consequently have become crisis led in their practice. This extends to failing to see the significance and impact of young people’s behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A previous requirement regarding the admission of young people has not been met. Despite there being a clear statement of purpose in place, which emphasises the importance of effective admission processes, this has not been achieved in practice. As a result of this ongoing shortfall, inappropriate matching of young people has occurred. This has meant that young people have had a negative influence on each other. Consequently, some placements have needed to be terminated on an emergency basis due to high-risk behaviours. This has included young people influencing others to go missing from care and engaging in anti- social behaviour in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim manager has been hampered by a lack of senior management support around admission decisions. However, a recent change in senior leadership has provided staff with the assurance that this practice will not continue to happen.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An absence of leadership has led to a deterioration in the home’s environment. For example, staff are frustrated that repairs are not routinely completed in a timely manner. There is broken crockery and a mattress discarded in the back garden. These shortfalls detract from ensuring that young people have a safe and homely environment in which to live.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An independent visitor completes monthly visits and writes a detailed report. The staff say they find these reports helpful in respect of monitoring the effectiveness of their care. However, a review of the quality of care provided for young people has not been completed since the last inspection. This creates a missed opportunity to enhance best practice further.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s files do not hold all the required documentation. Key information is missing, such as statutory care plans and the absence of updated written robust risk assessments. This leaves staff without clarity and guidance on occasions when the manager is not available. This limits the opportunity for staff to identify patterns or trends that negatively affect young people’s development and to change practice in the best interest of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people are identified as being vulnerable to exploitative behaviours, such as radicalisation. Staff have responded to these identified risks effectively and young people have been referred to Prevent for intervention. However, internet safety within the home is not sufficiently robust, with some young people having unregulated access to the internet via their smartphones. Current risk assessments around the use of the internet are inconsistent. Key work opportunities are not sufficiently utilised to support young people to make safe decisions and to be protected from becoming involved in negative and potentially exploitative relationships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people participate in house meetings. Young people understand how decisions are made and the degree to which they are able to influence them. Young people’s self-esteem and confidence are promoted through varied, focused activities. Staff support young people to develop social skills and relationships, and to enjoy healthy living. Good-quality daily experiences help young people to make progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are activity engaged in full-time education. The staff work collaboratively with educational providers and placing authorities to create tailor- made educational packages that enable young people to achieve their educational potential. Young people’s health needs are promoted and reviewed. For example, the staff ensure that young people have access to the dentist and doctors.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendations made at the last full inspection have been met.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home’s statement of purpose indicates that the general age range will be between 12 and 17 years of age.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/04/2016 Full Good 25/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/09/2014 Full Good 31/07/2014 Full Inadequate

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure–

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Requirement Due date

1(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; (ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe; (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (b) that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. This is to include internet safety. 15/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

The registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that– (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 the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose. 15/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children's home if there is no registered manager in respect of the home. If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of the name of the person so appointed; and the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 1 (a) 2 (a) (b)) 15/02/2017 The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; are kept up to date; and are signed and dated by the author of each entry (Regulation 36 (1(a)(b)(c)) 15/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least once every six months. (4) The registered person must— (a) supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (4)(a)) 15/02/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The registered person is to ensure that the children's home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children; it will, in most cases, be a homely, domestic environment. Children's homes must comply with the relevant health and safety legislation; however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than 'institutional' impression. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, Page 15, Paragraph 3.9)

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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 that 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 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

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

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