Children's home run by Wolverhampton City Council

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2496288 1

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Wolverhampton City Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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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 two children with complex needs.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit took place on 10 June 2020 where a number of shortfalls were identified. As a result, 12 requirements were made. Three of these requirements were subject to a compliance notice. Ofsted also imposed an urgent variation to the home’s conditions of registration, reducing the number of children who can be cared for from four to two. At a subsequent monitoring inspection in June one of the compliance notices was met.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring activity was to evaluate the provider’s progress in meeting the compliance notices and to ensure that the provider is complying with the variation of condition of registration. Due to ongoing restrictions related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) this visit was completed remotely. The inspector was sent documents by email and spoke to children, parents, staff and other professionals using video conferencing and telephone calls. In addition to the compliance notices, nine requirements have been reviewed and have been met.

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This monitoring visit

The variation of condition of registration has continued to be complied with, and there are two children living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Managers and staff now have clear plans in place to support children. Children are involved in writing these plans, which are truly child centred. They address all areas of children’s lives and have realistic, measurable targets. This helps children to understand their strengths and needs and make progress. When there is delay to children’s plans being implemented managers challenge this and advocate in Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2496288 2 children’s best interests. As a result, children know what they are working towards and staff challenge others to play their part in children’s success.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual and acting manager have introduced a framework to consider individual risks for children. This also incorporates clarity about staff training and skills to manage and reduce these risks. Managers and staff are better enabled to make informed decisions about children coming to the home and during their stay, and this keeps children safe.

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This monitoring visit

The acting manager has ensured that there are sufficient skilled staff to meet the needs of children. These staff regularly seek children’s views and respond appropriately. With the support of the responsible individual, the acting manager has simplified recording and monitoring systems. This has increased her oversight of practice and the experiences of children. Because of this, the acting manager is assured that children have child-centred, attuned relationships with adults who care deeply about their well-being.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of these improvements the compliance notices in relation to regulation 13 and 14 are met.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have completed work with children about personal relationships. The clear expectations laid down by staff have helped children to have more positive and supportive relationships with each other.

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This monitoring visit

The acting manager has completed admission and discharge records; these now meet regulation. The acting manager has introduced a daily register so that it is clear when children may be staying away from the home and why. This means records are clear and children can understand the time they spend in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual has commissioned a new independent visitor who does not work for the local authority. His reports give the staff a constructive view of the home and makes his opinion about safeguarding and children’s well-being clear. The acting manager responds to recommendations with a monthly action plan, which helps improve the quality of care children receive.

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This monitoring visit

The acting manager has ensured that information of concern is shared with Ofsted as required. These notifications to the regulator show that staff know how to respond sensitively to children’s information and that the acting manager understands the relevant regulations. This enables the regulator to have a more comprehensive view of the home.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager is currently away from the home and the deputy manager is acting as manager. Staff feel supported by the acting manager and she has worked hard to help staff successfully engage with improvement work. Staff are child centred and so have welcomed the simplified systems that have been put in place, as this means they can devote more time to children. The child-centred and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2496288 3 committed leadership enables staff to spend more time building good relationships with children, to meet their needs in attuned and creative ways.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

This home has not been judged at inspection since registration Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2496288 4

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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.

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises.

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Requirement Due date

A person may only manage a children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children—

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Requirement Due date

the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children.

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(i), a person has the appropriate experience and qualification if the person has—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 5 Diploma"); or a qualification which the registered provider considers to be equivalent to the Level 5 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of a person who starts managing a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 3 years after the date on which that person started managing a home.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 28(1)(b)(i)(2)(c)(i)(ii)(3)(a)) 21/09/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 21/09/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2496288 5 within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the child; details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure; the date, time and location of the use of the measure; a description of the measure and its duration; details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used; the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 35(3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) (b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Information about this inspection

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those we inspect. During this inspection, the inspectors took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the agency. This has included the effect these have had on staffing arrangements. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2496288 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Wolverhampton City Council

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Karol Keenan, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2496288 7 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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