Children's Home run by N H Care Limited in Birmingham

Inspection report children’s home: SC365366 1 SC365366 Registered provider: Nh Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for three young people who have learning disabilities. It is privately owned.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2018. The manager is working towards a level 5 diploma in leadership and management for residential childcare and is expected to complete the award by November 2020.

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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 outstanding

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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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: 22 November 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC365366 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/11/2018 Full Good 01/02/2018 Full Good 24/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/10/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC365366 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are exceptionally well cared for. Staff are skilled and experienced and know the young people well. As a result, young people continue to thrive in a nurturing and supportive environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There have been no changes in the young people living in the home. They are very settled and are thriving physically, emotionally and socially.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people live together in harmony. Staff base relationships on trust and respect. Young people engage well with the staff and know that staff have their best interests at heart.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s health and well-being are well promoted. Young people benefit from a good balanced diet and have regular exercise. As a result, they are fit and well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people contribute to the running of the home through their individual discussions with the staff, and by participating in key work sessions and attending their reviews.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are exceptional at helping young people to stay in touch with their families and friends. One social worker told the inspector that one child had gone from having contact twice a week to now having overnight stays. This achievement is down to the staff’s commitment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote young people’s independence regardless of age or ability. This helps young people to prepare for adulthood. The staff promote learning and incorporate the smallest tasks into daily routines. For example, staff encourage young people to put their own washing into the washing machine, and to set the table at mealtimes. As a result, young people’s life skills improve.

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outstanding

Young people are provided with excellent care from staff who work hard to keep them safe. The ambition and drive of the manager and staff to promote learning around health and safety and fire safety awareness is commendable. For example, photographs show how all young people get involved in carrying out health and safety checks in the home. Not only does this help to keep them safe, but it also increases their awareness of the importance of staying safe in their home.

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outstanding

Young people are part of their local community. The manager has links with a social network group whereby neighbours discuss current trends in the community, for example anti-social behaviour and emerging themes. This group was set up following the attendance of the neighbourhood watch meeting. This proactive information-sharing helps to keep everyone in the community safe. Inspection report children’s home: SC365366 4 Staff are extremely aware of the risks that young people could face if they were to go missing from the home. They are vigilant in helping young people to stay safe. Staff implement support strategies and have regular discussions about risk management. Robust risk assessments and profile planning help to provide a clear identity of the young people, and this information is shared with the police if an incident of a missing young person occurs.

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outstanding

The use of physical intervention has significantly reduced since the last inspection. The use of physical restraint was required for one young person only.

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outstanding

Staff have a thorough understanding of each young person’s individual complex needs. They have an exceptional way of helping young people to manage their behaviour, which could otherwise make them extremely vulnerable. For example, staff have worked hard to support one young person to manage his hormonal changes without placing himself at risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is highly ambitious and is driven to improve the lives of the young people. His own experiences keep him focused on ensuring that young people have positive experiences that develop their life skills and equip them for adult life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has addressed the four requirements and five recommendations raised at the last inspection. Staffing levels have been increased to ensure that there are enough staff on duty to help young people with their morning routines. There are now three staff on duty in the morning. As a result, young people are provided with sufficient support to meet their needs. The statement of purpose has been updated and shared with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Young people’s statutory documents are held on file. The manager has created a tracking sheet that records when the documents have been received. This is placed at the front of each child’s file. This makes it easier to audit what is missing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has updated the staff register to ensure that it holds all relevant information. Any relief staff used are safely recruited. The manager has checked all records to make sure they meet requirements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has purchased new chairs that are covered in a leather wipeable material.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has simplified young people’s care plans in line with each young person’s learning ability. For example, Widgit is being used for one child. His plans are now more simplified to help him to contribute and demonstrate his understanding of his plan of care. As a result, young people are now more actively involved in their care planning. Inspection report children’s home: SC365366 5 Staff receive supervision that helps them to improve their practice. However, the manager does not keep a record of his own supervision. Appraisals are completed annually and provide feedback of progress and development achieved, and about what is to be provided to improve personal development for the coming year. Training reflects the needs of the young people. Consequently, all staff are suitably skilled and qualified to meet the complex needs of each young person.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has improved relationships with professionals since joining the home. He knows his strengths and weaknesses because he has a hands-on approach. He spends time with the staff and the young people and knows them well. His organisation skills are meticulous, and this is visible in his record-keeping.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Relationships with professionals are sound. Professionals all speak of the good communication they have with the manager. A parent told the inspector that, ‘The manager is great! If I could change anything I would move the home next door to me. They treat me like a family; we respect each other’. One professional said, ‘I feel the relationships the staff have are great for the young people; there is plenty of support shown. Verbal communication is always clear. Everyone is friendly and welcoming – a nice mix of people on the team’. Inspection report children’s home: SC365366 6

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Recommendations

 A record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4)(b). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards, page 61, paragraph 13.3) Inspection report children’s home: SC365366 7

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC365366 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Shetland Close, Birmingham, Warwickshire B16 0RF

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Inspector

Michelle Spruce, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC365366 9 to 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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