Children's home run by Ingleside Children’s Home 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 declined in effectiveness . The progress and experience of the young people living at the home has been less positive than at the last inspection. Of the six young people currently living in the home, only three are attending education. Of these three, one young person’s attendance has dropped to 51% from over 80%. The other threeyoung people in the home are not attending education, nor are they receiving home tuition or alternative provision. Attainment levels are average for some of the young people in school. Lack of motivation is a concern for staff at the home and at the school. The school has visited the home in an attempt to persuade the young people to attend school, but to no avail. For the young people who are not in education, the home has contacted the local authority and the virtual school headteacher on their behalf.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person, who is waiting for a placement, said he would like to go to school. A young person has been given a place after months of waiting, but an actual start date is yet to be determined. Lack of educational provision and poor attendance mean that young people are not making good progress in their learning. This also results in a lack of daily routine for the young people who need structure. Since the last inspection, one young person has left the home for a therapeutic residential placement that is more suitable to their needs. The home shared their assessments with the new provider and the young person was supported by their key worker throughout the transition. Another young person’s placement was terminated due to their challenging behaviour. The young person’s level of need exceeded that of the home’s ability to manage it effectively. A third young person moved onto semi-independent accommodation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has notified the regulator of serious incidents that have taken place. Some of the notifications, although submitted, were sent after a delay. While some notifications contain a good level of detail of the incident, others have gaps: in particular, the actions that the staff have taken as a result of the incident. Hence, it is not clear what learning, if any, has been implemented by the home to better support the young people and help reduce the identified risk. The home follows its missing person procedures. Missing episodes are notified to the police, placing authorities and families. Independent return home interviews are offered, but not documented. One young person has spent only one night in the home since being placed there. Staff have been conducting welfare checks daily at the family home where the young person is staying, encouraging him to return to the home. Strategy meetings were convened to address these concerns

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and plan for a way forward. Staff try to understand why the young person has been missing and use this information to inform actions for that young person. A designated nurse stated that the young person she has seen in the home seemed relaxed and happy. Staff accompany the young person to appointments and keep a good record of his medication needs. In relation to another young person in the home, a school professional stated that staff who attend the personal educational plan meetings know them well and are supportive of the young person. While some partner agencies have said they receive prompt communication from the home, others have said that they have experienced delays, and verbal communication is not always followed up by written documentation. Other professionals have indicated that, while the home works in partnership with agencies, young people’s challenging behaviour could be managed more

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

effectively. A new manager was appointed in October 2016 and has identified areas to develop in the home to provide a better service. The manager’s quality assurance of staff practice has informed the workforce development plan. For example, the manager is in the process of commissioning training for staff to raise their understanding of the young people’s needs and develop more effective behavioural management methods. The manager has confidently managed poor staff performance and conduct issues. Regular supervision and monitoring of recordings and required actions mean that staff are held to account for their responsibilities. The manager ensures that staff have the right levels of qualifications to work at the home and takes appropriate actions if they do not. Young people’s achievements, however great or small, are recorded in the Rewards Book and celebrated. Good practice by staff, that promotes positive outcomes for

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young people, is also recognised through an ‘Employee of the Month’ award. Impact risk assessments of potential new admissions to the home by the manager are thoughtful and considered. Some of the referrals lack detailed information about the young person. The manager meets with the prospective new residents in an effort to evaluate whether the home can meet their level of needs. However, placement plans could be clearer about expectations of the home and local authorities to help young people make progress in their key areas. The manager is aware of the emerging risk of substance misuse by the young people and is looking to develop a resource book to be used as a tool for educating young people on the impact of drug use on physical, developmental, mental and emotional health. This piece of work will be used in key working sessions to help promote positive outcomes for the young people. A senior support worker who has been with the home for several years said she

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

welcomes the changes implemented by the manager. The staff member stated that she enjoys her work with the young people and feels the home provides good support to staff. While the departure of the previous registered manager and deputy manager may have unsettled one particular young person, a support plan was implemented to reassure this young person. Another support worker said that their colleagues are supportive and feels the home builds positive relationships with young people and works in partnership with families. Of the two recommendations made at the last inspection, one has been fully met and the other is nearly met. The home’s location risk assessment now includes the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location in relation to child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and strategies for managing these risks. The registered person has ensured that the home has a homely and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

nurturing environment. The replacement of bathrooms was near completion at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This private home provides accommodation and care for up to seven children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Staff must challenge the child’s education or training provider if the child does not receive sufficient support to progress as outlined in their relevant plans. Children’s home staff should act as effective advocates for or on behalf of a child who may be experiencing difficulties with education or training matters including, but not limited to, attainment, admissions, attendance or behaviour, as a good parent would do. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, pages 27-28, paragraphs 5.11-5.12)  Ensure that there is a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. Notification must include details of the action taken by the home’ staff in response to the event. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 63,

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Recommendations

paragraph 14.13)  Records must be kept detailing all individual incidents when children go missing from the home (regulations 36 (schedule 3(14)). In particular, ensure that there are clear recordings of independent return home interviews being offered to the young people and that these are evaluated to inform the review of the quality of care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.31)  The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs. It is essential that the home understands what will be required of it before it accepts responsibility for a child’s placement, to avoid disruption and instability for the child in future and for other children in the home. The registered person much challenge any placing authority who asks the home to

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Recommendations

accept a child in the absence of a complete and current relevant plan. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraphs 11.2, 11.14-11.15)  The registered person should ensure that, in line with their individual health plans and the ethos of the home, children are offered advice, support and guidance on health and well-being to enhance, and supplement, that provided by their school through personal, social and health education. In particular, staff should help young people understand and change negative behaviours in key areas of health and well-being, such as the use of legal highs and drugs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.18)

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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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