Children's Home run by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in Walsall

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home was last inspected in October 2016. The manager has addressed the recommendation that was raised. The home is judged to have sustained effectiveness, and one requirement and two recommendations have been raised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Medication records have improved. Staff have clear guidance about how to monitor medication after it has been opened. As a result, medication that is no longer needed is returned to the pharmacist.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no admissions or discharges in the home since the last full inspection. Young people continue to thrive from their placements. Young people remain in good health and have access to a range of health professionals. This ensures that their emotional, psychological and physical needs are met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the young people attend education and most continue to do well. A young person said, ‘I am enjoying doing hair and beauty but would like to do more.’ Where young people struggle to maintain their attendance, staff do their best to encourage and support progress. However, during long periods of absence from school, staff do not always provide suitable structured activities. As a result, young people’s opportunities for learning are reduced.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Bullying between the young people has been recognised by the manager and the staff team. The staff address this well and work in partnership with the young people to eradicate the behaviour. The staff engage young people in key work sessions and house meetings to re-enforce how to behave appropriately. As a result, young people feel safe and protected. Young people begin to understand how to keep themselves safe. Staff work hard to promote independence for the young people, while working alongside their individual risk assessment. One young person has now been given a mobile phone. This is a significant step forward in helping the young person to stay safe and demonstrating trust. A staff member said, ‘She is progressing well and making significant progress in understanding the everyday risks that she needs to be protected from.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s privacy is not always respected. During the inspection, a staff member entered the bedroom of a young person without knocking. Although this is a rare occurrence, this does not protect the privacy of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from having their own bedrooms personalised. They reflect their personalities because young people are encouraged to personalise them to their own taste. One bedroom is in need of redecorating, as paint has begun to peel off the walls. The en-suite bathroom ceiling is damp and stained.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people access a wide range of activities of their choice. A young person said, ‘I do lots of activities. I go horse riding, fire cadets and swimming.’ As a result, young people stay fit and well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and the team work in partnership with a wide range of external professionals. Staff know the young people well and act on any concerns they have by sharing information. As a result, young people receive the help they need to improve their health, education and social well-being.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/10/2016 Full Good 23/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/09/2015 Full Good 16/03/2015 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

6. The quality and purpose of care standard: In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must ensure that— (2)(c)(i)) The registered person to ensure that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed and furnished to meet the needs of each child. 31/05/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that a child’s bedroom should not generally be entered without their permission. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.20)  Ensure where children placed in a home are not participating in education, in the interim, the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)

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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 whom 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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