Children's home run by Birmingham Children’s Trust Community Interest Company

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1273485 1

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Birmingham Children’s Trust Community Interest Company

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is a short-break service for seven children who have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

This home has operated for over 40 years. It is one of four homes operated by a local authority trust since March 2018. The registered manager has extensive experience and knowledge.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place following concerns received by Ofsted from feedback surveys, and also because of the length of time since Ofsted last inspected this home.

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This monitoring visit

The visit was completed remotely. The inspector spent time speaking with the registered manager, staff, a child and a social worker over the phone. The inspector reviewed documents that had been sent by the registered manager.

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This monitoring visit

Requirements from the last inspection have been met. These relate to staff recruitment and safeguarding practice. No new recommendations have been made during this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has had a significant impact on the children and parents who use the service. The home closed for four months at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. This was due to COVID-19 related issues and the home not being able to operate safely with enough staff to meet the needs of the children. The home has remained open since August 2020, apart from one week’s temporary closure in January 2021, due to the pandemic.

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This monitoring visit

During the period the home was closed, staff provided support to families and children by having regular telephone contact with them. Parents appreciated the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1273485 2 continued communication. When children returned to the home, the transition was well planned. Staff were up to date with any changes to children support needs.

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This monitoring visit

Since the home has reopened, the safety of children and staff has been the registered manager’s priority. The registered manager has reduced the number of children in the home at any one time to promote social distancing. This has resulted in children having two to three-night stays instead of their usual seven-night break. On some occasions, children’s visits have been cancelled at short notice due to COVID-19 related risks. This has not been ideal for children or parents, but has been necessary to keep everyone safe and keep the home operational.

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This monitoring visit

The reduced number of children in the home has had some benefits. There are less incidents as staff can spend more quality one-to-one time with children. Overall, incidents in the home are low. This is because staff are effective at managing children’s behaviour and have positive relationships with children.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have not been able to complete all planned behaviour management training. This specifically relates to physical restraint training. The impact of staff not undertaking this training is low, as staff rarely restrain children. The last recorded restraint took place in 2018.

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This monitoring visit

The pandemic has impacted on the community activities that children have been able to access and enjoy. Staff have entertained children in the home. On the day of the inspection, one child was going shopping to purchase food to cook a meal for everyone in the home. This child’s independence skills have increased since staying at the home.

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This monitoring visit

One child told the inspector that they like staying at the home. This view was echoed by the child’s parent and social worker.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager takes complaints seriously and responds appropriately. She works with the staff team to consider any lessons learned following a complaint.

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This monitoring visit

Due to the pandemic, the registered manager has needed to manage the home remotely sometimes. This has worked well. Staff report that they are well supported by the registered manager. They have regular contact with her, and they benefit from reflective supervisions and team meetings.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/01/2020 Full Good 14/02/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 05/09/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1273485 3

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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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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Birmingham Children’s Trust Community Interest Company

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Third Floor Zone 16, 1 Lancaster Circus, Birmingham B4 7DJ

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Inspector

Lisa O’Donovan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1273485 4 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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