Children's Home run by The Spring Children‟s and Transitional Care Limited in Birmingham

Information about this children's home

This service is operated by a private provider and provides care and accommodation for two children who have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

There has been no registered manager since March 2020. A new manager is in post and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home was judged inadequate on 10 March 2020. Compliance notices were raised under regulation 12 (The protection of children standard) and regulation 13 (The leadership and management standard). A notice of restriction of accommodation was also imposed.

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Information about this children's home

On 7 April 2020, a monitoring visit was undertaken. Ofsted re-issued a compliance notice under regulation 12 (The protection of children standard). The notice of restriction of accommodation remained in place.

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Information about this children's home

On 2 June 2020, a monitoring visit was undertaken. The compliance notice was deemed to have been met. Ofsted re-issued a notice of restriction accommodation.

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Information about this children's home

On 16 July 2020, a monitoring visit was undertaken. The notice of restriction of accommodation was lifted. Ofsted issued a compliance notice under regulation 32 (Fitness of workers).

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Information about this children's home

Previous inspection judgement: Inadequate

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children's social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for Assurance visit report: 1253623 2  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills is leading Ofsted's work into how England's social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The care of children

Only one young person currently lives in the home. The young person has a trusting and respectful relationship with staff. Playful jokes and humour are typical of the interactions between the young person and staff.

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The care of children

The staff have worked hard during the pandemic to keep the young person safe, while ensuring that her health and well-being are maintained. The young person has not been able to attend her usual planned weekly activities because of COVID-19. Alternatively, she has chosen to do more cooking, use the garden to play football, and ride her bike. Staff say she has remained fit and well.

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The care of children

As an alternative to face-to-face visits, the young person has used telephone and video calls to speak to family members. This has helped her to stay in touch with important loved ones.

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The care of children

When the young person was not able to attend school because of COVID-19, staff ensured that she was able to access education at home. For example, the young person’s school provided her with resources that she can access via the internet. To promote her learning, staff made the dining area into a makeshift classroom. The young person has accessed her education as planned. Furthermore, she has made progress with her reading and writing during this period.

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The care of children

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, staff have continued to promote the young person’s involvement in her care planning. For example, the young person was able to attend a review of her care remotely. Furthermore, the young person has been involved in staff team meetings. This means that she has been able to have her say and contribute to the planning related to her care.

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The safety of children

Staff say the young person is extremely settled at the home. There are no concerns about the young person’s behaviour or her ability to keep herself safe. Assurance visit report: 1253623 3 The young person is respectful to staff. She has matured into a young adult and recognises the importance of rules and boundaries.

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The safety of children

Staff have taken effective action to reduce the young person’s vulnerability to COVID-19. For example, the manager has ensured that the same staff look after the young person to reduce the risk of infection. Staff have educated the young person on how to minimise her personal risk of infection. The young person is proactive in following the guidance and safety plans that are in place for her.

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The safety of children

The provider has implemented a revised recruitment process. The changes are aimed at improving the quality of staff recruited and to ensure that young people are only looked after by staff who are safe to do so. This revised approach to recruitment is still untested as no new staff have been recruited.

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Leaders and managers

There has been no registered manager since March 2020. A new manager was appointed in April 2020. The manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is becoming increasingly established in her role. She has had a positive impact on the quality of care provided to the young person.

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Leaders and managers

The manager’s developing monitoring systems are increasingly helping her to review and understand the quality of care provided to the young person. This is enhanced by regular visits from the independent visitor.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is helpful and supportive towards staff. The manager ensures that staff receive regular reflective supervisions and that they access training as needed.

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Leaders and managers

Staff are motivated and keen. Due to the length of time that the young person has lived in the home, they know her well and are able to meet her needs.

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Leaders and managers

Communication between staff and other relevant professionals is effective and contributes to the young person receiving the help and support she needs to make continued progress. Feedback from professionals about the care the young person receives is consistently positive.

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Leaders and managers

The inspector identified that on one occasion staff did not document that a visitor had been to the home. This seems to be an isolated issue.

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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. Assurance visit report: 1253623 4

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children's home.

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Requirement Due date

(a) maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4; (b) ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37(1)(2)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that a record of all visitors to the home is documented. 30/10/2020

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Children's home details

Registered provider: The Spring Children's And Transitional Care Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 9 Grenville Drive, Birmingham, B23 7YX

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Blessing Manyara

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Inspector

Michelle Spruce, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 1253623 5 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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