Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd in Birmingham

Inspection report children’s home: 1226397 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people aged six to 17. The children and young people may have faced adverse childhood experiences, trauma or placement and family breakdown.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The new registered manager has been in post since September 2019.

p.1

Inspection date: 26 February 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1226397 2

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new registered manager has taken effective action to meet previous requirements. This has improved children’s care by making sure that they now experience continuity and consistency of care from a settled, fully staffed and well- trained team.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring and review systems now lead to improvement. Managerial scrutiny ensures that lessons are learned when there have been concerns. Professionals recognise the progress that their children are making and see improvements under the new registered manager. She was previously manager here until February 2018 and knows the service well.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ofsted was aware during this inspection that a serious incident that had occurred at the setting since the previous inspection is under investigation by the provider under the direction of the local area designated officer. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, the actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspector’s judgements.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider has worked cooperatively with the appropriate authorities since learning of this incident. The registered manager now knows that some staff have not implemented the provider’s policy on positive behaviour management, which has resulted in the use of unnecessary restrictive practice. She has taken actions to address these shortfalls in practice.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The arrangements to plan, deliver and review children’s care are well integrated with the placing authority. The registered manager promotes positive behavioural management, informed by the provider’s theoretical approach. Staff are mindful of children’s histories and needs and help children when they are in distress. The provider works with placing authorities to source and support the therapeutic services that children need.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk-management arrangements are clear and include children, where possible. Staff implement a swift, child-focused approach if children go missing. Staff work hard to help children to reduce their drug-taking and steer clear of criminal activity. Police appreciate the home’s proactive approach, good communication and insightful information.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have good holidays abroad. They enjoy healthy childhood activities and join local children’s clubs and associations. This helps them to develop their self-esteem. Inspection report children’s home: 1226397 3 Children told the inspector that they love their bedrooms and the activities that they are able to engage in. They said that they always get help with learning and when they are worried or upset. One young person described how staff had helped them to regulate their behaviour and to become safer: ‘They try as hard as they can.’ Children said that they feel safe at home and in the community.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff help children prepare for the next stage in their lives, whether to independence or to foster care. They support children to move on positively. They also help new children to settle in and try to reduce any emerging issues between children.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager advocates on children’s behalf and challenges other agencies when needed. This results in improved relationships and better health, education and placing authority support for children. Inspection report children’s home: 1226397 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/05/2019 Full Good 12/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/03/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1226397 5

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on–

p.5

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure–

p.5

Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

p.5

Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11(1)(a)(b)(c), (2)(a)(i)(viii)(x)) 30/04/2020

p.5

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing–

p.5

Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child); and

p.5

Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child).

p.5

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20(1)(a)(b), (2)) 30/04/2020 Inspection report children’s home: 1226397 6

p.5

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.6

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: 1226397 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Mountfields House, Epinal Way, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3GE

p.7

Inspector

Christy Wannop, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1226397 8 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.

p.7

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 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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8