Children's home run by Gracebridge Care

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2556128 1

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Gracebridge Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A privately owned company runs this home. It offers care for up to four young people. The home specialises in caring for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 20 April 2020. A new manager has been in post since 1 June 2020 and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This home has not been inspected since it was registered. Because assurance visits have been suspended during the second national lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ofsted is undertaking monitoring inspections when needed. This monitoring inspection has been undertaken to monitor young people’s welfare at the home. This inspection was carried out on site.

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This monitoring visit

There have been some managerial changes during the year. However, the core team of staff has remained stable and the deputy manager has now been promoted to the manager’s position. This means that young people have not been unduly affected by the changes and continue to receive continuity of care.

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This monitoring visit

Young people have a sense of belonging. One young person said, ‘This is the best home I have ever lived in. I have been in care my entire life and this one has helped me the most.’ Staff and managers advocate for the young people well. Because of this, young people feel comfortable to seek advice from staff when needed.

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This monitoring visit

Staff promote young people’s education. As a result, young people attend school and make progress with their learning. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2556128 2 Staff ensure that the young people are safeguarded. Risk assessments are clear, up to date and reviewed by staff following significant incidents. Staff understand the risks that young people face and are clear about how they need to respond to these risks to help young people to keep safe.

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This monitoring visit

Young people benefit from consistent boundaries and clear expectations. This positive practice, along with the ability of staff to de-escalate situations means that there are few serious incidents. Staff use a range of methods to reward positive behaviour and use ‘restorative discussions’ to work through occasions when young people display inappropriate behaviours. These are relevant to each young person’s age and level of understanding. This considered and consistent approach has supported young people to improve their behaviour. For example, a social worker said, ‘[Name of child] is a lad [who’s behaviour] usually results in violence and he has not done that here.’

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This monitoring visit

Managers have a good oversight of the home, allowing them to identify emerging concerns and make any necessary changes. The manager knows the strengths and areas of development for the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff undertake a range of different training courses. Managers and staff have made good use of electronic learning during times of COVID-19 restrictions. When shortfalls in training requirements are identified by the manager, additional online learning has been identified for staff. This means that staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge to meet young people’s needs well.

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This monitoring visit

Recruitment policies are clear. However, managers do not always show professional curiosity as to why staff have left their previous employment and if there were any safeguarding concerns. This means that managers do not always have all relevant information when deciding whether someone is safe to work at the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

N/A Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2556128 3

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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

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d)) 18 January 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2556128 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor children’s welfare in the home since registration.

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Information about this inspection

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

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Gracebridge Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rear of Arden Lodge, 946 Warwick Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham, West Midlands B27 6QG

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Inspector

Kev Brammer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2556128 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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