Children's Home run by Sherlock Healthcare Services Ltd in Birmingham

Interim inspection report children’s home: 1231458 1 Registered provider: Sherlock Healthcare Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This service is a private children’s home offering care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural problems.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no changes in young people living at the home. Young people continue to thrive and make progress in many areas of their lives. All young people attend school or college. School and college attendance remains excellent. Managers have identified a more appropriate school for one young person, who has faced difficulties at his current school. Staff are working with other professionals to secure the placement and to ensure that the young person is supported with the move to his new school. Staff are helping another young person to find an apprenticeship in motor mechanics.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to attend routine medical appointments and maintain good health. If necessary, they attend specialist therapeutic services. This helps to ensure that young people receive all the assistance that they need to stay healthy.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people engage in the community in positive ways. One young person has started Interim inspection report children’s home: 1231458 2 volunteering at a local charity shop. This opportunity to volunteer is helping her to develop her communication skills and to increase her confidence. All young people continue to enjoy a wide range of activities. These include football club, karate and boxing, as well as using local facilities including parks and cinemas. Young people have recently participated in music-making sessions with a musician. All young people are proud of the recordings they have created.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff adopt a nurturing approach with young people. As a result, young people’s voices are central to all aspects of the service. For example, one young person did not want to engage in independence work, and staff stepped back to give her a break. Staff supported her and promoted her self-confidence in other areas, so that she felt ready to start her independence work again. A social worker told the inspector, ‘Staff pick up issues around the young person’s mood and help her make decisions. They have made a difference to the young person’s self-confidence and self-esteem.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to feel supported by managers to do their job effectively. Since the last inspection, there have been changes in staff and other staff have stepped in and undertaken extra shifts to maintain consistency of care for young people’s benefit.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour management remains good. There have been occasions when physical intervention has been necessary. Managers have analysed these incidents and identify patterns and trends. Young people are safe at the home. Risk assessments are updated and reviewed by the managers. Regular health and safety checks continue to be completed in line with organisational expectations.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff work well with a wide range of other professionals. A social worker commented, ‘Communication with staff is excellent, they always keep me up to date with events.’ Another social work said, ‘Staff go the extra mile and create a nurturing and caring environment which is truly a home.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment remains warm, comfortable and well resourced. Young people have plenty of private space, and enjoy personalising their bedrooms. This inspection found that some areas of the home would benefit from attention where there are marks and scuffs on the walls. This detracts from the overall very good standards within the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recommendations made at the last inspection are all met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have made small adjustments to the garden area, but young people want to leave the space clear for bikes and games. This inspection found that there were some areas of the garden that needed tidying and rubbish clearing. The children’s guide is being updated by young people to reflect their views and opinions.

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Recent inspection history

Interim inspection report children’s home: 1231458 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/04/2017 Full Good 25/10/2016 Full Good

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Recommendations

 Ensure that young people live in an environment which meets their basic day-to- day needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) In particular, clear the rubbish in the garden area, and decorate the communal areas of the home, including the stairs and hallways

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Interim inspection report children’s home: 1231458 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sherlock Healthcare Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sherlock Healthcare Services, 20–22 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GU

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Inspector

Julia Wright, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: 1231458 5 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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