Children's Home run by N H Care 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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide a consistent and supportive service to three young men. The young people are all progressing well. Since the last inspection, there have been very few changes in staff and one young person has moved in. This inspection identifies a small number of shortfalls that all administration only.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people have learning disabilities and benefit substantially from the gradual implementation of changes. The newest young person felt very unsettled by coming here rather than returning to his family. However, he now accepts the situation as part of his move towards adulthood. This shows good progress, given that he has experienced a series of placements that have broken down. Staff engage well with families. The young person’s mother said, ‘We’re lucky with this home. They can’t do enough for us.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people attend school every day and the third has a reduced timetable. The latter situation is not satisfactory and the manager is in daily contact with relevant professionals to find a solution. With another young person, the staff’s close liaison with teachers has resulted in far fewer incidents. The young person becomes upset less often and therefore benefits more from the educational environment. His conversational skills have improved, which allows him to make clearer choices. Two young people are gradually preparing to move to adult settings. Staff use a variety of means to ensure that young people understand and engage in what is going to happen.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy the company of staff. There is a relatively low turnover of young people and they get to know staff well. Each young person is progressing well with his independence skills. These include contributing to and writing the shopping list. Young people have individual pastimes, including attending a youth club, visiting the library, dancing and indoor games. Staff take the young people to celebrate a range of events which reflect the local multicultural community. After some trips, the staff help young people to learn from the experience by writing about it. This also gives young people an additional opportunity to give their views.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from an excellent degree of engagement in all of the everyday activities of the home. Staff use a range of communication systems and make sure that young people’s views have an impact. Young people trust the staff to keep them safe and significant incidents are rare. Staff use physical intervention appropriately, but infrequently. The current young people show a good level of self-regulation. Staff restrict young people as little as possible and are aware of young people’s right to appropriate levels of liberty. However, the written policies, including the statement of purpose, do not define such rights clearly. Ofsted is not in receipt of the amended statement of purpose, as required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager pays close attention to the day-to-day operation of the home. For example, she helps staff to improve their skills before the company considers them for progression. Consequently, the deputy manager recently became the registered manager of another home in the group. The manager has a full team of permanent staff on day and night shifts, which reduces the need for agency staff. This is a critical element in the consistency of support of young people. The manager is increasing her own skills by taking on responsibility for her budgets and has nearly completed her management qualification.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The last inspection raised two requirements and two recommendations. The manager has addressed these. Staff now wear suitable footwear in the home to help avoid accidents. All staff are either suitably qualified or on track to complete their training within the required timescale. This contributes to the overall good level of competency within the team. The manager uses a range of techniques to monitor the service, including the reports of the independent visitor. She has identified that the independent visits provide insufficient feedback from young people and other stakeholders, so she is taking steps to remedy this. Similarly, in her six-monthly reports, the manager does not show her evaluation of young people’s views. In light of the extensive consultation undertaken by staff with young people, this is a minor technical issue. The reports by the visitor also lack clarity about his findings regarding welfare and safeguarding, which is a potential

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Information about this children’s home

A small private company operates this home. Ofsted has registered the service for three young people who have learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/10/2016 Full Good 24/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/09/2015 Full Outstanding 15/12/2014 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) meet(s) 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

Include in the statement of purpose a description of the home’s policy and approach in relation to children’s rights. This is with regard to including a definition. (Regulation 16, schedule 1, section 9(b)) 24/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

Notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)) 24/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the independent person produces a report about a visit ‘he independent person’s report’) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether: (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. This is with regard to these conclusions being clear. (Regulation 44(4)) 22/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

Complete a quality of care review by establishing and maintaining a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it. (Regulation 45(2)b) 24/04/2017

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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 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

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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