Children's Home run by N H Care Limited in Birmingham

Inspection report children’s home: SC432966 1 SC432966 Registered provider: N H 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 for four children with physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities. It is privately owned.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has not had a registered manager since March 2022. However, a manager has been appointed and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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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: 18 October 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 18 and 19 October 2022. A compliance notice under regulation 23 (medicines) and six requirements were raised. On 29 November 2022, a monitoring visit was completed and the compliance notice and five requirements raised at the last inspection were met. One requirement was carried forward and has now been met at this inspection. Inspection report children’s home: SC432966 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/10/2022 Full Inadequate 13/10/2021 Full Good 18/02/2020 Full Good 11/12/2018 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC432966 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There were three children living at the home at the time of this inspection. The children enjoy positive relationships with staff and managers. One of the children told the inspector that they feel happy and settled living at the home. Two of the children are non-verbal, but the inspector observed positive interactions between children and staff. The children appeared happy and content in staff’s care. No children have moved in or out of the home since the last inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff speak warmly about the children. They know them well and are now providing them with consistent care that is nurturing and meeting their individual and complex needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in all aspects of their development. For example, all children access education that is appropriate to their individual needs. One of the children’s teachers commented on how well the child had progressed and that he, ‘is exploring more and developing his tactile awareness’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage and enable children to lead healthy lifestyles. They ensure that children eat a balanced diet. Staff make sure that children attend all appointments recommended in their health assessments. Children’s physical and emotional health is improving because of the support they receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well supported to spend quality time with close family and friends. As a result of good support, children develop and maintain positive relationships with those who are important to them, when it is appropriate to do so.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff now value children’s wishes and feelings a lot more. Children are involved in the day-to-day running of the home. They are consulted through weekly meetings, individual discussions with staff and monthly visits from independent visitors.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy various activities at the home and in the community, including swimming, visits to a local park, meals out, day trips and more simple pleasures such as playing in the garden and in the sensory room. Children have opportunities to interact with their peers and form social networks, which helps them to develop their self-esteem and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming and provides a cosy family environment for the children. All children have been given the opportunity to personalise their bedrooms. When the inspector viewed the bedrooms, they could see the children’s personalities shining through.

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

Inspection report children’s home: SC432966 4 Managers and staff have worked hard to address shortfalls identified at the last full inspection. They have met the compliance notice issued at a previous inspection. New medication administration and management systems in place have been maintained. No medication errors have occurred.

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

There have not been any significant safeguarding incidents or behaviours since the last inspection. Risk assessments and behaviour management plans in place support staff in managing the children’s behaviours safely. There has not been the need for staff to physically intervene to keep children safe.

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

Staff carry out fire safety checks, and fire evacuations are undertaken. All children have personal evacuation plans. This good practice helps to safeguard children.

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

Managers have reviewed the home’s location risk assessment. However, they have not consulted partner agencies to ensure that this contains up-to-date information on known risks, to inform staff about how they can safeguard children safe when they are in the community.

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

Managers are not consistently exercising due diligence when external staff work at the home. For example, there are not exploring staff’s previous employment history to ensure that any discrepancies are identified and queried with recruitment agencies. This does not help to ensure that only safe adults care for and support the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager was recently appointed and he has the relevant qualifications and experience for the role. He is passionate and committed to developing good practice in the home. The manager recognises areas for improvement and how to address shortfalls.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and the staff team have a genuine desire for the home to succeed and for children to experience positive outcomes. This is echoed by professionals, who have said that the home is child-centred and focused, and the staff are good advocates for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All staff are up to date with mandatory training. Additional Makaton training has been sourced to help the staff team to communicate with the children better. This will help staff to communicate effectively with the children and understand their needs even more.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision sessions, which support them in carrying out their roles effectively. Regular team meetings take place, which encourages consistency in practice and supportive relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from external professionals is positive. They spoke of good working relationships and said that the manager has a good understanding of the needs and experiences of the children. Inspection report children’s home: SC432966 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. In particular, the registered person should consult with relevant partner agencies to seek up-to-date information. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)  The registered person should maintain good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management 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)

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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: SC432966 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 69, Steward Street Business Lofts, Steward Street, Birmingham B18 7AF

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Inspector

Rumbi Mangoma, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC432966 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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