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 . The home was last inspected in June 2016. Four requirements and one recommendation were raised. The manager has taken action to address the shortfall. Following this inspection, two requirements have been raised. Staff now encourage young people to take part in extracurricular activities. Tutors are in place to support young people with extra tuition in preparation for exams. This helps young people to focus on their educational outcomes. Staff continue to promote the importance of learning. This helps young people to improve their attendance. For example, one young person is now attending homework classes each week. As a result, young people improve their attendance and focus on their studies. Staff now encourage young people to follow a healthy and nutritious diet. Meal times provide good, healthy options. This helps young people to understand the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

importance of healthy eating and the impact on making the wrong food choices. Young people now take regular exercise. Staff work hard to promote fitness. As a result, young people choose activities such as swimming in order to keep fit. The missing from care records are now held in full and are up to date. The manager’s oversight now ensures that the content of the record is factual and accurate. Staff are now more aware about how to monitor young people when they access the internet. Staff have received additional training and de-briefs in staff meetings to keep them informed about best practice. This helps to keep young people safe. One young person has left the home. This was a planned move. Although the young person had remained settled for a long period of time, the placement began to break down. This resulted in other children being targeted and bullied. Children and young people now feel safe. They spend more time in the communal areas

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

instead of in their bedrooms. A child said, ‘Things are a lot better now. I can leave my bedroom door open and unlocked. I feel a lot safer now. I can walk around the house. I don’t have to stay in my bedroom.’ Relationships are much better and bullying is no longer an issue. The manager has safely recruited staff to increase the workforce. This ensures that the use of agency or bank staff is reduced. As a result, children and young people benefit from being cared for by regular staff that they are familiar with. The manager has worked effectively with external agencies to improve the health and education of children and young people. Staff feel the manager has supported them well through difficult times. Parents and family members also confirm how well the manager and staff work in partnership with them. A grandparent said, ‘Staff have worked wonders. Communication is brilliant. We work together and they

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

keep us informed.’ This ensures that children and young people continue to receive good-quality care. Complaints are handled well. Children and young people use the complaints procedure to inform the staff when they are unhappy. The manager takes prompt action to address any concerns and provides a written response of the outcome. As a result, children and young people know they will be taken seriously when they complain. Incidents of physical intervention have occurred since the last inspection. However, the records are not always consistent in what they record. For example, details of any methods used to avoid the physical intervention, and the effectiveness and any consequence, are not always clearly recorded. This makes it difficult to evaluate if the action taken was effective and only used as a last resort. The manager continues to monitor the service and also uses the independent visitor reports to inform her about the quality of care the service is providing. The

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

statement of purpose has been updated; however, a copy has not been provided to Ofsted in line with regulation. Children and young people experience a range of activities. Since the last inspection, some have been on holiday, abroad and in the UK. This enhances their social experiences and improves their self-esteem.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

15/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

27/01/2015 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

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 29 days of the revision. (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)) 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that, within 24 hours of the use of the measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made, which includes details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure and the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(v)(vii)) 28/04/2017

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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 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

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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