Children's Home run by Serenity Specialist Care Ltd in Birmingham

Inspection report children's home: 2613327 1 Registered provider: Serenity Specialist Care Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is the home’s first inspection. The home was registered in April 2021.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a small private company. It provides care for up to two children, aged from 10 to 17 years old, who experience emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (EBD).

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report children's home: 2613327 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report children's home: 2613327 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is one child living at the home. The manager has been proactive in liaising with education providers. The child missed a significant amount of education before moving to the home and was not in an education placement. The manager has explored a number of education provisions and communicated with relevant professionals to secure a placement. As a result, the child has started a college course. This will support the child to progress educationally.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff encourage the child to pursue their individual interests and widen their social experiences. Since moving into the home, the child has become involved in activities that support their development. Activities include becoming part of a basketball team and engaging in equine therapy. These activities provide the child with positive experiences that support them to develop socially.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff praise and reward children’s positive behaviour and progress. Staff use a reward system that provides the child with opportunities to earn tickets by undertaking activities. These activities include sessions that support the child in developing their understanding of diversity, including celebrating Eid. As a result, the child has earned enough tickets to go on a trip. This approach is motivational for the child. They feel valued and rewarded for their achievements, inspiring them to make further progress.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff at the home support children to maintain and develop their relationships with people who are important to them. Staff arranged calls and visits for the child to see family members face to face. Staff have supported the child to speak with a person, who was important to the child, after they had not spoken for a year. This support enables the child to maintain their sense of belonging within their family and to learn and understand more about their background.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is able to express their views with confidence and knows that they will be listened to. The manager responds to the child’s concerns or requests. For example, the child made a request for a trampoline, and this was provided. As a result, the child knows that their wishes and their opinions count, and managers and staff will use them to shape the child’s care.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and managers provide good-quality workshops to the child. These workshops provide the child with the opportunity to develop their knowledge. They are educational and the topics vary. For example, staff completed a workshop on healthy eating to support the child in eating a balanced diet. This proactive approach has provided the child with opportunities to learn.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are supporting the child to develop their daily living skills in preparation for the next stage in their life. The child completes workbooks and staff record observations of the child undertaking tasks. During the inspection the child went through their Inspection report children's home: 2613327 4 independence work with the inspector, which showed the progress that they were making. As a result, the child is developing their confidence in caring for themselves in preparation for adulthood.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff do not consistently follow the detailed risk assessments in place. On one occasion, staff did not follow the prescribed staffing levels and did not supervise a visit between a child and their family. Following the visit, the child made an allegation about a family member. Although the manager has taken prompt action in response to this incident, this poor practice compromised the safety of the child.

p.4

improvement to be good

On one occasion, staff did not report the loss of a work mobile phone. As a result, the child found the phone and gained unsupervised access to the internet. The child has made allegations they have been exploited when using the phone, which are being investigated. This ineffective practice has potentially led to a child being harmed.

p.4

improvement to be good

A fire risk assessment was not in place at the time of inspection. This has since been completed in consultation with the fire and rescue authority. However, the identified actions have not yet been monitored.

p.4

improvement to be good

Overall, the manager follows safer recruitment procedures. However, for one member of staff, their photographic identification had not been verified, and a reference was provided for dates that did not match up with their employment history. These shortfalls do not ensure that only appropriately vetted people work with children.

p.4

improvement to be good

The manager has taken prompt action when allegations against staff have been made. In response, the manager has listened to the child’s voice, shared information with appropriate agencies and taken disciplinary action when required. As a result, the child has been safeguarded.

p.4

improvement to be good

Strategies are in place to support the child to express their feelings, including the use of a mood indicator and flash cards. Staff are aware of these strategies and respond to the child using them to express their emotions.

p.4

improvement to be good

When an incident involving the child takes place, staff take appropriate action to safeguard the child. Staff are clear on the action they need to take, for example contacting external providers such as the crisis team, ambulance service and the child and adolescent mental health service. This ensures that the child is kept safe and is provided with appropriate support.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff and managers support the child to understand themselves. Regular key-work sessions take place. These relate to the needs of the child and provide an opportunity for them to develop their understanding and consider strategies to reduce risk. As a result, the child is developing their understanding of themselves Inspection report children's home: 2613327 5 and how to keep themselves safe.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high expectations for what the child can achieve, wanting them to have the opportunities all children should have. Providing these opportunities has involved setting up activities and being proactive in supporting them with their mental health needs and education. This proactive, child-centred practice provides the child with enjoyment and supports them to achieve positive outcomes.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a number of monitoring tools in place that enable her to make developments to the service. For example, the manager recognised that the team would benefit from further training in mental health and sessions were planned. The manager ensures that the child’s progress is monitored on a regular basis, and she makes changes to the care and support provided to maximise the child’s progress. The manager recognises the strengths of the home and the areas for development. As a result, continuous improvements to the quality of care are made.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive thorough supervision sessions on a regular basis. Supervision is child centred and also considers the needs of the staff. Performance is managed through probation reviews, and where there are concerns about practice, the manager will respond to these by taking appropriate action and offering support. This ensures that the child is cared for by a well-supported, knowledgeable staff team.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child’s professionals and family are positive about the manager, as are staff and the child. One member of staff commented that, ‘The communication between the staff and management team is good.’ A family member said about the manager, ‘If you can give her an award for being amazing, then please do as she is.’ This demonstrates that the manager has built positive relationships with people around the child.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child and manager have a positive relationship. For example, the child cuddles the manager, who reciprocates this. The child told the inspector they feel safe and have developed positive relationships with certain staff members who they can be honest with.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has not ensured that the rota for the home includes the full names of staff. As a result, the rota does not meet regulations. Inspection report children's home: 2613327 6

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person is to ensure that staff understand and adhere to plans and supervision levels in place to protect children. The registered manager is to ensure that staff take action when there are concerns that a child could be at risk of harm. 16 December

p.6

Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

p.6

Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home;

p.6

Requirement Due date

provide adequate means of escape from the home in the event of fire;

p.6

Requirement Due date

make arrangements for persons working at the home to receive suitable training in fire prevention. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)(b)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager is to ensure that the 16 December Inspection report children's home: 2613327 7 actions arising from the fire risk assessment are completed.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

A record showing in respect of each person working at the home—

p.7

Requirement Due date

the person’s full name. (Regulation 37 (1)(2)(a))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that the rota has the full names of all staff members on it. 16 December

p.7

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that completed records are kept of the administration of all medication. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)  The registered person should maintain good employment practice. They must ensure that the recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

p.7

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: 2613327 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Serenity Specialist Care Ltd

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: First Floor, Dominion Court, 43 Station Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 3RT

p.8

Inspector

Melanie Griffin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2613327 9 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.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9