Children's Home run by Acorn Residential Care Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report children’s home: 2509731 1 Registered provider: Acorn Residential Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to two children who have emotional and/or social difficulties, or have faced adverse childhood experiences, trauma and/or placement and family breakdown. There is currently one child living in this home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It was registered by Ofsted on 8 April 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager ended his employment with the provider on 21 April 2021. The deputy manager is in day-to-day charge of the home and is in the process of undertaking his registration with Ofsted.

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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.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 20 October 2021, to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on Ofsted’s website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 11 December 2019

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2509731 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/12/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 2509731 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide nurturing care and support for the one child who is currently living in the home. Staff fully understand his individual needs. Internal care plans reflect the aims and objectives of the placing authority. Staff ensure that they provide care in line with these plans. This results in the child receiving coordinated and effective support from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between the child and staff are based on trust and respect. The child told the inspector that he sees the staff as his family. He said, ‘I don’t know where I would be without them.’ As a result, the child has settled well into his new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education outcomes have improved. Staff are instrumental in ensuring that the child accesses his education. Staff told the inspector, ‘He has 100% attendance, he is now integrated into classroom-based working.’ Communication between the home and the school is a key strength. A headteacher said, ‘Communication between the home, school and other professionals is excellent.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The wishes and feelings of the child are considered by staff. One complaint has been raised by the child. The complaint was responded to and acted on swiftly. As a result, the child feels confident about telling staff when he is not happy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use well-planned key-working sessions to talk through identified topics that are relevant to the care of the child. Staff revisit topics with the child that are important. For example, the importance of education and healthy eating. These discussions allow staff to reiterate to the child how important it is to keep up with his education and maintain his health and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide a range of social activities for the child to enjoy. These opportunities help to enhance the child’s social development and enable him to make new friends. As a result, his confidence improves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family and friends are welcomed into the home. A parent told the inspector that she is always made to feel welcome. The child also told the inspector that he can have friends over to visit. As a result, important relationships are strengthened.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is exceptionally well-presented. Staff work hard to improve the home environment in line with the child’s views and wishes. The child and staff take pride in the home they live and work in. As a result, the home has a unique and welcoming feel.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the child to access a range of health services. However, staff do not always support the child to ensure that he follows the advice from his optician. This lack of support from staff may have an impact on the child’s future health needs. Inspection report children’s home: 2509731 4

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child is protected from harm because staff understand his vulnerabilities and take action to keep him safe. Staff are aware of the triggers for the behaviours that have the potential to place him at risk of harm. As a result of the support offered by staff, missing-from-home episodes and the use of physical interventions are significantly reducing.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Professionals from other services recognise the good work that staff are doing to protect the child from harm. A youth offending officer talked about the child’s high risk of exploitation, and said, ‘[This risk has] reduced since he began living at the home. Staff get the balance right with him around his rights and needs.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are consistent in their practice. Staff implement firm boundaries and this has helped the child to respect staff and the rules of the home. Staff constantly praise the child by using several innovative techniques, such as a praise jar. As a result, the child’s self-esteem and confidence are improving.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff implement sanctions to help the child to understand the impact of his behaviour on himself and other people. These sanctions are fair and proportionate.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are safely recruited. Furthermore, children are encouraged to take part in the recruitment of staff. For example, potential candidates are interviewed by children, who ask questions about how the candidate will care for them. This helps children to have an influence over who works the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home does not have a registered manager. The former deputy manager is now the acting manager. He is in the process of applying to be registered with Ofsted. He holds a suitable qualification in the management and care of children and young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is child focused and has ambition and drive. He is a positive role model for staff and the child who is living in the home. A staff member told the inspector, ‘The manager is very supportive. He pushes you to reach your goals and gives us a lot of guidance.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the strengths and weaknesses of the service. Regular monitoring and review of the service ensure that the manager knows what needs to improve. Workforce plans ensure that targets are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager notifies Ofsted of any significant events in a timely manner. This sharing of information enables the regulator to monitor the service and be assured that the manager and staff have taken all necessary action to safeguard the child. Inspection report children’s home: 2509731 5 Records are well maintained and reflect the child’s life. The child contributes to them on a regular basis. As a result, he understands what is written about his progress, risks and experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Effective communication is a real strength. Professionals speak highly of the manager. A teacher told the inspector, ‘Spot-on communication. Manager is brilliant. One of the best homes I have worked with in supporting and working with us in supporting decisions.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Three requirements raised at the last inspection have been met. One new requirement has been raised. Inspection report children’s home: 2509731 6

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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 health and well-being standard is that 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.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that staff support the child to follow the advice from his optician. 30 July 2021

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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: 2509731 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Residential Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 13a Pitsford Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham B18 6LJ

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Inspector

Michelle Spruce, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2509731 8 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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