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

Inspection report children's home: SC471672 1 SC471672 Registered provider: Serenity Specialist Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have learning disabilities. The home is owned and operated by a small private company.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager of the home is registered with Ofsted and is working towards a health and social care level 5 qualification in leaderships in management.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this home on 16 and 17 September 2020 to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

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

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 15 October 2019

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: SC471672 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/10/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/06/2019 Full Inadequate 03/07/2018 Full Good 30/01/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children's home: SC471672 3

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improvement to be good

Since the assurance visit, six children have moved into the home and five children have left. One child was living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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improvement to be good

Children experience mixed outcomes. Some make good progress and move on from the home in line with their plans. For example, one child moved home to live with family, and another moved on to independence. However, other children moved on sooner than anticipated because staff were unable to meet their needs. Managers do not always make good decisions about children coming to live at the home and so sometimes new children are not well matched to those already living there. In addition, when one child had to move quickly, managers did not do all they could to support this transition. Inconsistencies in care planning do not support all children’s progress, welfare and experiences.

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improvement to be good

Staff manage some aspects of children’s health well, but this is not done consistently. For example, they ensure that children register with local health services and support them to access routine health appointments. However, the child living at the home does not have a healthy and balanced diet, and staff are not doing all they can to improve this. In addition, there is some confusion about a potential health issue that is not well documented, and managers have not sought clarity about this. Children do not receive information relating to sexual health, which would help to raise their awareness about this when the time is right.

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improvement to be good

Medication is not well managed by managers and staff. Medication errors and failure to store medication correctly have the potential to compromise children’s health. Investigations into what has happened are underway and this shows that concerns relating to medication are now being taken seriously.

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improvement to be good

Children spend time with people who are important to them. This helps children to maintain links with their families and supports children to return home when this is their plan. Plans to replace the company vehicle have not come to fruition yet, and so different arrangements have had to be made to facilitate children’s contact with their families. One child’s family member helps them with transport to spend time with loved ones. When it is not possible for family members to support children’s transport needs, managers will authorise staff to go with children in taxis.

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improvement to be good

Children develop positive relationships with some staff but not all. When children raise issues, these are looked into. Staff do not always work consistently, and this makes it difficult for children to understand the rules and boundaries in place and to know what is expected of them.

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improvement to be good

Children make good progress with their education. The manager advocates on children’s behalf when there are delays in children receiving education that meets Inspection report children's home: SC471672 4 their individual learning needs. For example, one child found it difficult to engage in online learning, and because the manager raised this concern with the child’s local authority, she now has daily face-to-face tutoring. As a result, the child is making progress with her learning and is working towards her career goal.

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improvement to be good

The home environment is reasonably decorated throughout. Children’s food and staff’s food are purchased separately, even when this is not part of a plan to support a child to develop independence skills. Cups are labelled as either for staff or for children. Such arrangements are not homely or appropriate. In addition, the child is not supported by staff to keep her bedroom tidy and look after her belongings.

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improvement to be good

Children have not always used the internet safely, for example one child shared information that was not appropriate. In addition, staff were not immediately aware when children found a work around to the parental guidance settings on the home’s Wi-Fi. However, when this became apparent, the manager reviewed the measures in place, and staff worked with children to help them understand more about using the internet appropriately.

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improvement to be good

Staff do not help children to take appropriate risks in line with their age and stage of development. For example, a child is not learning to enjoy some freedoms safely in the community and is always accompanied by staff. This is despite the same child having weekend stays with her family. These restrictions have not been fully assessed and reviewed to ensure that they are proportionate and necessary.

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improvement to be good

When concern are raised about children’s safety, these are investigated, and lessons learned. On occasions, information has not been communicated clearly or promptly to all relevant agencies and this has the potential to delay matters being fully explored.

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improvement to be good

Staff are trained in how to respond to self-harm incidents, including ligaturing. Children are encouraged by staff to use coping strategies to help them when they are experiencing emotional difficulties. When children do harm themselves, staff respond well by assessing their injuries, providing first aid or when necessary, seeking medical assistance from local health services. Children attend appointments with mental health services, although access to these services doesn’t happen quickly because children are living outside of their home areas. Good support to children who self-harm has led to a reduction in such incidents.

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improvement to be good

Children rarely go missing from home. Staff follow children when they leave the home without permission and encourage them to return home. On the occasions when children cannot be found, staff share their concerns with the police, parents and the child’s local authority. Managers and staff search local areas to try to find children who are missing from home. Staff welcome children home and ensure that they can speak with an independent person about why they went missing and what happened while they were away. Inspection report children's home: SC471672 5 Staff only use physical intervention as a last resort to keep children safe. Staff record incidents clearly, and managers ensure that the children and staff who have been involved in a restraint have an opportunity to speak about it. This provides children with an opportunity to raise concerns and helps staff to reflect on their practice.

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improvement to be good

When some children have not got along and have engaged in bullying behaviour, staff have responded effectively. They have used creative methods which enabled the children to talk about the relationship and how some behaviour towards them was making them feel. As a result of this intervention, the relationship between two children improved.

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good

Since the assurance visit, there has been a change in registered manager. The current registered manager has recently had to spend some time away from the home.

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good

Management oversight is not wholly effective. Medication management requires significant improvement and care planning arrangements are not always good. Managers do not understand the impact of the arrangements for the day-to-day care of the children, including arrangements for mealtimes and purchasing food. This compromises children’s experiences and welfare.

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good

Currently, there are issues relating to confidentiality and information being shared with parties outside of the home, which should not be. This is being taken seriously and investigated.

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good

Ten staff have left the home since the assurance visit, and managers have needed to use agency staff to cover shortfalls. High staff turnover does not provide children with consistency. Staff vacancies mean that, at the moment, there are only enough staff to care for two children. The registered manager and senior managers have made a commitment not to increase the number of children until more staff are recruited.

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good

The staff team is inexperienced, with only three staff, including the manager, having the required level 3 qualification in caring for children and young people. The majority of the team have been in the role for less than a year. This lack of experience affects the progress of the home and the quality of the care that children receive. All staff have completed induction training and other short courses that provide them with a basic understanding of the specific needs of children who live in the home. Managers have good recruitment systems in place, and this reduces the risk of children been cared for by unsuitable individuals.

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good

Managers supervise staff regularly. This provides staff with the opportunity to reflect on their practice and develop their skills in working with the children who live in the Inspection report children's home: SC471672 6 home. Annual appraisals are completed with staff who are eligible. Staff told the inspectors that they feel supported and enjoy working in the home.

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good

Shortfalls identified at the assurance visit have been rectified. The location risk assessment has been reviewed and improved. It is now a comprehensive document which includes all known risks and the strategies in place to manage these. Staff have undertaken training in self-harm and mental health, and this has had a positive impact on children, in that incidents are well managed and have reduced. In addition, recording is clear and serious incidents are notified to Ofsted.

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good

Professionals and parents have mixed views about the running of the home and children’s experiences. A common theme is that communication could be quicker and clearer to ensure that all matters are fully understood and can be acted on. Inspection report children's home: SC471672 7

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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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, improve the quality of communication to professionals and family members. 10 December

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child; and 10 December Inspection report children's home: SC471672 8 enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(ii)(ix)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular: progress plans to replace the company’s vehicle to support children’s transport needs more easily;

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Requirement Due date

review the arrangements for buying and storing food and the labelling of crockery to ensure these are more in keeping with a domestic and homely environment;

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Requirement Due date

review the arrangements in place to support a child to increase their time in the community, independently but safely.

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children receive support to enjoy a balanced diet and have access to sexual health services when it is appropriate. 10 December

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust.

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children. 10 December Inspection report children's home: SC471672 9 (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(viii)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, to ensure that staff have the skills and experience necessary to respond appropriately to the complex behaviours that children may display when upset.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that information is shared promptly and clearly with all relevant agencies when potential safeguarding concerns arise. 10 December

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(d)(e)(f)) 10 December Inspection report children's home: SC471672 10 The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that managers carefully assess the needs of new children to the home alongside those already living there. In addition, they must support children when they move on from the home, whatever the circumstances. 10 December

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicines kept in the home are stored in a secure place so as to prevent any child from having unsupervised access to them;

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medication to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically maintain clear and effective oversight of the storage, administration and recording of medication. 10 December

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report children's home: SC471672 11 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: SC471672 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Serenity Specialist Care Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspectors

Helen Malanaphy, Social Care Inspector Shazana Jamal, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC471672 13 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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