Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Birmingham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the 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

The home has had no new admissions or discharges since the last inspection. Young people continue to thrive because of their placement. Young people have benefited from increased contact with their families. This has enabled them to develop relationships with key people in their life.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to thrive educationally because challenges with their learning are overcome. Young people have developed in their independence skills, becoming increasingly involved with budgeting, cooking and travelling from their educational placement, as well as having more free time. A social worker was positive about the development of their young person, by telling the inspector, ‘They have really moved forwards from the time that they moved in.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new cookery evening has led to young people becoming increasingly aware of different meals they are able to cook. The home has a strong development plan for further improvements, including ideas from the staff team, such as a fitness night, trialling new activities and keeping some chickens.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager uses external monitoring systems well. Visits from the monthly visitor are well recorded and include the views of young people about their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding issues are dealt with swiftly, with records showing detailed discussions with the designated officer, social workers and independent reviewing officers. This highlights the professional way that young people are kept safe within the home. Staff have a good awareness of how to respond to child protection issues, including confidence in getting external agencies involved when necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are helped to be aware of expected behaviours and the possible affects that negative behaviours have on others. No young people have been missing since the last inspection, and work is completed with them to raise awareness of the risks relating to being out without permission. Staff have completed training in different social media platforms to further support young people’s safety. Young people are able to go and stay with friends. This enables them to build meaningful friendships with their peers. The manager completes effective assessments to counter any potential risks. This includes a visit to young people’s friends and family.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team works well with a range of professionals. Social workers comment that communication with the staff is regular and they are kept informed of incidents that occur. The home has recently won a ‘making a difference’ award. This was received in recognition of the manager’s and staff team’s dedication in making a positive difference to young people’s lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been some changes in the staff team and management of the home. This is due to the registered manager’s involvement with other children’s homes. These changes have not had a negative effect on the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recordings of plans for young people are good and general records for the home are kept well. However, some records relating to staff signing in require improvement to ensure that an accurate log is maintained of which staff are on duty at any given time.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is part of a large private organisation. It offers care for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is set within a residential environment.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/08/2016 Full Outstanding 01/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/08/2015 Full Outstanding 19/02/2015 Interim Improved 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

Ensure that you keep a record of all visitors to the home, and to children, including the names of visitors and the reasons for the visit. (Regulation 37 (2) Schedule 4 (5)) 20/02/2017

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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 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, 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

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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