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 Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

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

p.1

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.

p.1

Inspection date: 19 January 2022

Date of last inspection: 29 September 2021

p.1

Inspection date: 19 January 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 19 January 2022

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

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection in September 2021, eight requirements were raised. At this inspection, the inspector found that all eight requirements had been met. Two new requirements have been raised.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of this inspection, one child lived at the home. Another child had experienced a positive transition from the home. A leaving party was held for her, and the people most important to her attended the event. There has been a review of care planning and matching processes following the last inspection. However, because no children have moved in, these have not been implemented and so remain untested.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child says that he feels safe and can talk to staff if he is worried about anything. Staff have worked hard to build positive relationships with the child. He is offered various opportunities to talk about his relationships with staff and his experiences within the home. The manager has rented an allotment in line with the child’s interests and hobbies. As a result, the child spends time there and feels part of a community.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, children’s health needs are well supported. Staff have received appropriate training to ensure they can support the child’s needs safely. Due to staff’s increased knowledge, they have been able to support the child to begin taking steps to manage his health needs independently.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have developed a system whereby the child is actively involved in making healthy food choices. This supports a balanced diet and helps children understand healthy options. In addition, the child is supported to cook healthy meals, thereby promoting his independence. There is no longer a division between children’s and staff’s food. As a result, children experience a more homely environment.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have acted to ensure that children are supported to take measured risks in line with their age and stage of development. The inspector observed staff begin a process of supporting a child to undertake a train journey as part of an assessment to support him to do this independently. There are clear plans in place to support the child’s journey towards independence.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a new deputy manager has been appointed. The staff team has generally remained stable. Managers have used this more stable period to upskill the staff team and review safeguarding procedures. Staff now benefit from a Inspection report children's home: SC471672 3 variety of training opportunities which they are using to develop their confidence and skills. As a result, the quality of care that children receive is improving.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have implemented robust monitoring systems to ensure medication is managed safely. As a result, the manager quickly identified an omission in the administration of medication. The manager took appropriate action to address this omission, and reflective practice was used to learn from this incident. There is now clear guidance and systems in place for staff, and this reduces the risk of medication errors.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is a good advocate for children. Communication systems have been developed and the manager challenges professionals to ensure that children get the support they need. For example, the manager has advocated well for the child in relation to securing education for him and also ensuring that he maintains contact with his siblings.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were two new shortfalls identified during the inspection. A risk assessment relating to online safety did not contain the correct information, and one strategy identified to mitigate risk was not in place. As a result, risk management strategies were not clear to staff and the child.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Not all actions from a child’s review have been explored and followed up. This means that an assessment of need that was recommended has not progressed. As a result, essential support systems may not be in place to support him to make decisions about his future. Inspection report children's home: SC471672 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/10/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/06/2019 Full Inadequate 03/07/2018 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC471672 5

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff have access to risk assessments which provide staff with strategies to follow to keep children safe. In addition, children should be supported to understand strategies in place to keep them safe online. 2 March 2022

p.5

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(c))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must liaise with children’s placing authorities to help ensure that recommendations raised in children’s care reviews are followed up and progressed. 2 March 2022 Inspection report children's home: SC471672 6

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.6

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: SC471672 7

p.6

Children's home details

Registered provider: Serenity Specialist Care Limited

p.7

Children's home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Natasha Skinner, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC471672 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.

p.7

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8