Children's home run by Applegreen Children‟s Care Limited in Birmingham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three young people have moved into the home since the last inspection. In addition, a new manager has recently started and is in the process of applying to Ofsted to be the registered manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager has brought calm and structure to the service. A staff member told the inspector, ‘I feel we have changed. The new manager is great, she is really hands-on and supportive.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff have addressed most of the weaknesses identified at the last inspection. Staff have completed specialised training. This has enhanced their skills and knowledge. Young people are now only being admitted in line with the home’s statement of purpose. Young people are now better consulted about their care, and staff are supporting them to develop positive relationships with peers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are aware of the risks surrounding each young person. However, this knowledge is not always captured in young people’s care plans in a timely manner. This means that new staff coming into the home are not fully informed of the young people’s presenting risks and patterns of behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are making progress in all aspects of their life. Staff help young people to attend school and to participate in activities that are linked to young people’s health targets. For example, young people are engaged in a range of physical activities, such as swimming and walking, to help them stay healthy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are helped to build on the skills they will require for adulthood, such as cooking and loading the washing machine.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately operated, and provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who have learning difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/09/2016 Full Requires improvement 24/02/2016 Full Requires improvement

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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

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child, which are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(b)) 28/04/17

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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, 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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