Children's home in Birmingham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement resulted from the last full inspection. The home has achieved partial compliance with it, and the requirement is repeated at this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registration process for the interim manager is not yet complete. Formal clearance from one local authority is still awaited. Ofsted is trying to expedite this process.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interim manager was not present during this inspection. The deputy manager and supporting staff members assisted with the inspection in the absence of the manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One employee has yet to complete the level 3 qualification as required by regulation. The home accepts that this is outside of the required timescale; however, a change in assessors is the main contributory factor behind the delay. This has not affected the quality of care offered to young people. Staff continue to access a broad programme of regular training and support. This included recent sessions on the risks of child sexual exploitation and radicalisation of young people. In the words of one staff member, „Things are great, we are a real team.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home remains very stable and well managed. It retains a genuine „family feel.‟ Close relationships are supported by regular and effective key work sessions. There have been no changes to the staff team or the young people since the last full inspection. Young people benefit from the resulting consistency and forge stronger relationships with staff and each other. Former residents continue to visit the home and advise and guide their younger peers. One young person comments, „I would not do anything to change it here, everything is cool.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A culture of achievement exists in the home, and young people make progress in education. All of the young people are engaged in education provision. This offers structure to their daily routines. For many this is their first experience of educational achievement. This is celebrated and applauded regularly by the staff team. Young people make excellent progress in managing complex medical conditions. Positive partnership work with specialist nurses, parents and schools, and the diligence of the staff team, have resulted in a significant improvement in health and self-esteem for the young people. Well-structured routines and regular communication between professionals assists with progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team‟s approach to behaviour management is consistent. Young people respond well to staff and there is limited use of sanctions. Restraint is not used in the home. Case files show that risk-taking behaviour such as assaults on staff occur less frequently. Local police work well in partnership with staff, visiting the home regularly and reminding young people of the consequences of poor behaviours. This works well and helps to address young people‟s previously negative perceptions of the police. In addition, staff are able to use excellent verbal de-escalation skills to respond swiftly and intervene effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do not go missing from the home. Staff keep in regular contact with them when they are outside of the home or spending contact time with family. Carefully planned procedures help to safeguard young people when delays occur in returning to the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Advocacy is routinely offered. Recently this helped to challenge a contentious care planning decision from a placing local authority. The young person is now able to plan more effectively for a planned move to a semi-independent unit of choice. On another occasion staff worked in partnership with a court-appointed representative to clearly explain a court decision to a young person. This helped to address any residual anxieties or queries, and supported improved behaviour.

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Information about this children's home

 A private company owns this home. It sets out to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who have behavioural and/or emotional difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/10/2016 Full Good 29/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/10/2015 Full Good 17/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

(a) the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”). (Regulation 32(4)(a)) 01/04/2017

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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 0300123 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, 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,

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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

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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