Children's home run by City of Wolverhampton Council

Inspection report children’s home: SC378153 1 SC378153 Registered provider: Wolverhampton City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered for up to six young people who stay at the home for a short break. The home is managed by a local authority and accepts young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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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 improved effectiveness.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people love coming for their short breaks. They have warm relationships with the staff and will go to them for comfort and support when they are distressed. The young people have fun together and with the staff and engage in a range of stimulating activities, including swimming, playing pool and going on outings. Since the last inspection, the staff have introduced regular discussion groups for young people. Young people said that they enjoy these groups and find them interesting. They make suggestions about what subjects to talk about and the staff invite guest speakers, with the approval of the young people. Young people and their family members value their short breaks. One parent told the inspector, ‘It gave her a wonderful respite when I was ill.’ One young person said she has made many friends here. Inspection report children’s home: SC378153 2 Short breaks help young people to make progress in their self-confidence, education, social

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young people since the most recent full inspection

development and in managing their emotions and behaviour better. The staff listen to young people and provide them with independent advocates when appropriate. One young person said that she feels that coming here over the past two years has helped her. Since the last inspection, the registered manager has introduced innovations, which have improved the effectiveness of the service. Two members of staff have taken on new roles. One member of staff has become the ‘wishes and feelings’ coordinator and another member of staff is now an activity coordinator. This has provided young people with increased opportunities to express their views. Feedback from young people’s meetings is now discussed at staff team meetings. This enables all members of staff to hear what the young people have to say and then provide them with feedback regarding any questions or requests they have made. Young people are also now eating healthier meals on their short breaks. Fresh fruit is available in the home at all

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young people since the most recent full inspection

times and the cook prepares food from fresh ingredients and meets any individual dietary requirements. Trips to fast-food eating places are now limited.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are enthusiastic and creative and said that they love working here. They demonstrate in-depth knowledge of young people and the reasons they are on the edge of care. The staff are benefiting from additional training in adolescent mental health, parental alcohol and drugs misuse, record-keeping and analysis. Files are in order and information is clear and accessible. The staff work effectively with a range of other professionals, including health and education and advocacy. The staff are very positive about the registered manager. They feel supported and that they are learning and improving their skills to meet the needs of the young people. One family member praised the staff by telling the inspector, ‘I couldn’t fault the service, they understand his problems, they did a lot of work with him and he has responded.’

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young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are highly trained and keep young people safe. When young people go missing from the home, the staff respond appropriately and liaise with parents, the police and social workers. Young people said that they feel safe, and family members agree that their young person is safe at the home.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager responded very positively to the requirement and recommendations from the last inspection. This has led to improvements in young people’s diets, consultation with young people and staff training. He and the staff group have been innovative and have improved young people’s engagement and experience on short breaks.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/08/2017 Full Good 22/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 30/11/2016 Full Requires improvement 28/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC378153 3

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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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, St. Peters Square, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV1 1RT

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Inspector

Louise Whittle, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC378153 4 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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