Children's Home run by Positive Pathways 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 judges that it has sustained effectiveness . Since the last inspection, the home has experienced an unsettled period. This has included the deputy and two members of staff leaving, and unplanned placement endings for three young people. Staffing stability has now improved and the experienced registered manager has ensured that there is a clear development plan in place to improve practice and outcomes for young people. All new admissions are well planned, and comprehensive impact risk assessments are completed, which take into consideration the needs of the other young person living here. Despite this planning, young people’s arrivals and departures have influenced the dynamics of the home and staff have at times struggled to adjust to young people’s different needs. The registered manager has recognised this and worked hard to support young people through their transitions and offer additional

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

support and reassurance to the existing young person resident. A new young person has recently joined the home. He has settled quickly and told his social worker that he feels ‘safe here’. Staff have built positive relationships with the young people. As a result, young people are learning new life skills. Staff support young people to take up positive opportunities to develop friendships and new interests. For example, one young person has started attending a local youth club for the first time. Staff work with schools effectively to support young people’s educational experiences. Young people are supported to communicate their wishes and feelings. Staff listen and actively support young people to express their views and contribute in meetings. This encourages young people to develop their social and communication skills. Staff put in place additional advocacy services when necessary. This ensures that young people’s opinions are valued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff closely monitor young people’s relationships and any poor behaviour is quickly challenged. Staff endeavour to model their behaviour in a way that promotes clear and reasonable boundaries. This practically demonstrates to young people how to conduct positive and respectful relationships. Staff use rewards and incentives to promote socially acceptable behaviour and improve their sense of safety and well- being. Since the last inspection, the registered manager has made sure that these are consistently reviewed and evaluated to ensure that they remain effective. Staff work hard to develop strategies for young people to manage their behaviour and anxieties better. However, incidents of physical intervention have increased since the last inspection. There is limited evaluation of this increase. Staff recording of incidents does not evaluate the effectiveness of the measure and the registered manager has not consistently recorded staff debriefs following incidents. This limits

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

learning opportunities, denying staff the opportunity to reflect and learn from such incidents. There has been one incident of a young person going missing from home since the last inspection. This was managed well by staff. There are robust procedures in place when an incident occurs. Staff are vigilant in presenting risks and have clear strategies in place to address them. There has been one safeguarding incident since the last inspection. This has been well managed and an appropriate referral was made to the local authority’s designated officer. A well-qualified and experienced registered manager continues to lead the home. He has a good understanding of the strengths and development needs of the home. He has responded promptly to the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. Monthly auditing ensures that young people’s files are current and contain appropriate information. Staff supervision sessions are now appropriately recorded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both the internal and the external monitoring of the home are completed regularly and the reports are forwarded to Ofsted. However, the internal monitoring systems are weak because they do not stipulate actions required to improve the quality of care for young people or routinely include formal feedback from professionals, staff or young people. Consequently, stakeholder feedback is not used to shape and inform the home’s development or improvement. Staff are supported to develop their practice through monthly team meetings and regular supervision, both of which enable them to reflect on their practice and discuss how well the young people are progressing. Staff access training courses to further enhance their knowledge, for example in awareness of the risks of child sexual exploitation, but staff have not accessed training to address the presenting needs of some young people. This includes attention deficit hyperactivity disorders

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and sexually harmful behaviour. This compromises their effectiveness to support young people. Most staff either have achieved or will complete within the statutory timescales a Level 3 diploma in working with children and young people. This ensures that staff have the right skills and knowledge to work effectively with young people. The home adheres to organisational recruitment procedures in place to safeguard young people. Safety checks are carried out in full on all new starters. This means that young people work with suitably vetted and selected staff. There is, however, no workforce plan, which has an impact on staff planning. Relationships with external partners are good. The registered manager strives to work in partnership with other professionals and builds positive relationships with young people’s families. Staff effectively challenge services where they consider that plans do not adequately meet young people’s needs. This partnership working

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

helps young people to overcome difficulties that previously affected their development.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to accommodate up to two young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or moderate learning difficulties. It is operated by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

31/12/2014 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) meet(s) the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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

13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must: (2)(c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. This is in specific reference to increasing staff’s understanding of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders and sexually harmful behaviour. 08/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure – (a) that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; (b) that within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so, (i) has spoken to the user about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(vii)(b)(i)) 08/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating: 2(c) any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (5) The system should ascertain and consider the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(2)(c)(5)) 08/05/2017

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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 there is a workforce plan in place which can fulfil the requirements of Regulation 16 Schedule 1. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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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 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 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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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