Children's Home run by Motivations Activity Projects Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report children’s home: 1257202 1 Registered provider: Motivations Activity Projects Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since October 2019 and is suitably qualified.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 17 December 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not judged

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1257202 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/12/2018 Interim Not judged Inspection report children’s home: 1257202 3

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Recommendations

 Any home using CCTV or other monitoring equipment should have a written policy describing how this will support the safeguarding and well-being of those living and working in the home in accordance with regulation 24. Homes must gain consent to any monitoring or surveillance by the placing authority in writing at the time of placement. The use of CCTV is regulated by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and the Surveillance Camera Code of Conduct (Home Office 2013). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.16)

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Recommendations

This is with specific reference to the use of bedroom door alarms and reviewing their necessity on a regular basis.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the home’s first full inspection since it opened. Young people make progress in all aspects of their lives. They enjoy living in a well-maintained, comfortable and homely environment, where staff work hard to create an atmosphere that is full of warmth and respect. This is demonstrated by the staff’s attention to detail in making sure that young people are at the heart of the home. This includes having young people’s photographs and work proudly displayed throughout the house.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people receive good care from a consistent group of highly motivated and skilled staff. Staff work hard to give young people the positive experiences that allow them to thrive physically, emotionally and socially.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have goals and are successfully working towards them. Both young people are making good progress in their education; their attendance and engagement at school have improved. Young people have access to a wide range of activities, including music lessons, trips to animal centres and theme parks. Staff work with young people, so they understand their past and why they are in care; this in turn bolsters young people’s confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have formed trusting relationships with staff. One young person told the inspector: ‘Staff know me so well, I don’t have to find the words to tell them how I am feeling, they just know.’ Both young people are very happy and well cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professionals that visit the home consistently comment on the warm and welcoming environment and the difference that the staff make to young people’s lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are meaningfully engaged in their care plans and staff talk with young Inspection report children’s home: 1257202 4 people about risk. Staff ensure that each milestone of a young person’s success is recognised and celebrated.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

All staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities and are vigilant in safeguarding young people from harm. Managers and staff understand the risks that young people face.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff apply consistently clear routines and boundaries, and this means that young people understand what is expected of them. Staff approach challenging behaviours with understanding and compassion. As a result, there are very few incidents.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff use a variety of resources to offer young people creative and helpful key-worker sessions. Staff and young people work together on group projects to discuss relevant subjects, such as safe relationships, sexuality and using the internet safely. This in turn helps young people to make safer choices.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk assessments are up to date and records reflect changes in the young people’s behaviours and their vulnerabilities. Child-friendly paperwork encourages young people’s engagement in reviewing their own progress and areas of risk.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people are safe and feel safe in the home. Young people have a positive relationship with one another.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Thorough selection and vetting procedures during staff recruitment ensure that young people are cared for by safe adults.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has been in post since October 2019. She is suitably qualified and experienced and provides excellent leadership. She has an exceptional understanding of the young people and inspires staff to have the same. Staff thrive in this environment and show pride in it. This is also reflected in the extremely low levels of staff turnover and sickness.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff describe the manager as incredibly supportive. They have regular supervision which is thorough and tests the team members’ knowledge. Together, the manager and the staff team strive to provide the best possible care to young people in the home. The manager knows her team well and is insightful about the service. She motivates staff to take on new projects and learn new skills ready for promotion.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have a comprehensive and relevant range of training opportunities, including essential courses such as safeguarding and first aid. In addition, they undertake a range of training courses that are specific to the individual young people’s needs. These include: awareness training in autism spectrum disorder, self-harm, safe care and child sexual exploitation. Inspection report children’s home: 1257202 5 The registered manager and the staff team have developed strong relationships with all of the relevant professionals, including school staff, social workers and local services. As a result, there is excellent communication.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager rigorously monitors the work of the staff and the progress of young people. Staff are forward-thinking and seek out new and better ways to help the young people make progress. For example, staff find up-to-date resources and use these in key-work sessions with young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home’s statement of purpose is up to date and together the manager and the staff team provide a safe, warm and nurturing environment in which they treat each young person as an individual. The home is making a positive difference to the lives of young people who live there.

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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

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’. Inspection report children’s home: 1257202 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Motivations Activity Projects Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: St Matthews Business Centre, Duddeston Manor Road, Birmingham B7 4LZ

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Inspector

Debbie Holder, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1257202 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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