Children's home run by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in Walsall

Inspection report children’s home: SC066214 1 SC066214 Registered provider: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a local authority. The home provides care and accommodation for up to seven young people. The accommodation includes two placements in a semi-independent flat. The current manager was registered with Ofsted in April 2018.

p.1

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s experiences and progress continue to be variable. Since the last inspection, three new young people have been admitted to the home. Not all of their admissions were planned. Initial compatibility assessments are ineffective as they do not consider effectively young people’s compatibility with existing young people. This means that the needs of young people may not be appropriately met, risks not effectively addressed and their progress may be limited.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is currently being managed by an interim manager during the planned absence of the registered manager. The staff team has remained stable and this ensures continuity of care for young people. Inspection report children’s home: SC066214 2 Following the last inspection, a complaint was received by Ofsted following a significant incident in the home. This was appropriately addressed and a development plan implemented to address identified shortfalls. The requirements made at the last inspection have been met.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work well with education professionals to help young people to overcome barriers to their learning. Some young people have been supported to return to school. Others have been supported by staff to enter apprenticeships. However, despite staff support, other young people continue to refuse to access any educational opportunities.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Key-work sessions now have a clear focus on young people’s specific needs. When required, these sessions cover sensitive topics such as healthy relationships and bullying. Staff support young people to develop their social skills, to improve their relationships with others and to enjoy healthy living.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

While the number of incidents of some young people going missing have decreased, others continue to be of significant concern. If young people do go missing, staff respond swiftly and appropriately. Staff are proactive and try to locate the young person. Staff understand the links between young people going missing and child sexual exploitation and have now received additional training to further develop their awareness. Staff recording of incidents has improved. They now maintain a detailed chronology and liaise well with appropriate agencies. This prompt action helps to protect young people from harm.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staffing ratios are appropriate and young people receive consistent care from staff who they know well. Physical intervention is used only as a last resort. Staff ascertain young people’s feelings after a restraint and support them emotionally. The manager debriefs staff to encourage them to reflect on the effectiveness of each restraint and if they could have managed the incident differently.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s preparation for independent living is not always adequate or evaluated. Although young people gain some practical independence skills, there is no assessment or evaluation of key skills. This makes it difficult to assess their readiness to move on or to measure their progress. Since the last inspection, one young person has had a planned move from the home to an independent provision. Staff extended their support to him after his move to help him achieve the best possible outcomes. Inspection report children’s home: SC066214 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/04/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/01/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/10/2017 Full Inadequate 14/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.3

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)) 12/04/2019

p.3

Recommendations

 Staff must help each child to prepare for any moves from the home, whether they are returning home, moving to another placement, or to live independently. This includes supporting the child to develop emotional and mental resilience to cope without the home’s support and where the child is moving to live independently, practical skills such as cooking, housework, budgeting and personal self-care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.27) Inspection report children’s home: SC066214 4

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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’.

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall WS1 1TP

p.4

Inspector

Anne Daly, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC066214 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5