Children's home run by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in Walsall

Inspection report for children’s home: SC464762 1 SC464762 Registered provider: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority short-breaks service provides short periods of residential care for up to six children with physical and/or learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in April 2013 and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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 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: 8 February 2022

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC464762 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/02/2022 Full Good 08/10/2018 Full Good 20/11/2017 Full Good 23/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC464762 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, no children were having a short-break stay. There are 13 children accessing the service. The service operates on a part-time basis from Thursday to Monday.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children love their short-break experience. Some children have been coming to the service for over 10 years. Children enjoy a range of activities that enrich their lives. One child told the inspector, ‘It is totally amazing. I chill out and do colouring. I have lots of friends. People look after me and I visit lots of places. I love it.’ A social worker said, ‘It gives the children opportunities to access activities they would otherwise be unable to do.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spend time enjoying a range of activities of their choice. Staff know children are having an enjoyable time because they are attuned to each child. Staff have learned how to read children’s body language and facial expressions and are excellent at interpreting their emotions, wishes and feelings.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are supported with the utmost care and attention. Details shared by parents or health professionals are passed on to staff so that children’s health needs are met during their stay. As a result, families feel able to trust that staff know how to care for their children when they are away from home. This means children experience enjoyable, happy times, regardless of their complex health needs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s parents are extremely grateful for the short-break service. Parents feel communication is a real strength. Staff regularly keep them informed about their child’s experience at the service. Staff use diaries to record what each child has been doing during their stay. This helps parents to feel included and have peace of mind about the loving care their child is receiving.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children explore how to improve their independence in small steps, according to their ability. One child has a target to place his hands above his head to help staff administer his medication. However, staff do not consistently support the child to achieve this. Although this does not directly compromise the child, it does not promote his independence and help him to achieve his set target.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children build strong bonds with staff and managers. The staff and managers know and understand each child’s unique complexities and are always on hand to help and assist. Staff are sensitive and dedicated and provide excellent continuity of care. As a result, children are eager for their short-break stay. A parent said, ‘[Name of child] runs to the front door when we arrive and rings the bell. I have to call him back to say goodbye. This tells me how much he enjoys his stay.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC464762 4 Professionals speak highly of the care children receive. A family support worker said, ‘Staff take time out to really get to know the children on an individual level. It makes an absolute difference to the child’s experience and helps develop their identity, confidence and resilience. They leave their overnight stays feeling supported, understood and happy, from my observations.’

p.3

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

Children feel safe and cared for when accessing their short-break stay. Staff consult with parents or carers before children come to stay, so they are informed in managing any risks or challenging behaviours. This helps staff provide individual care and puts measures in place to ensure that children are safe from harm and protected during their stay.

p.4

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

Risk management plans are detailed and provide meticulous instructions for staff to manage children who require moving and handling. For example, risk assessments are in place to help staff position a child in bed while they undertake invasive procedures. This keeps the child safe during the procedure.

p.4

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

Staff know each child well. They understand their vulnerabilities. There have not been any incidents of children going missing, any physical interventions or consequences imposed. Children love coming to stay and feel safe and protected from harm.

p.4

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

External professionals regularly service specialist equipment to ensure it is in good working order. Managers monitor the health and safety arrangements. This ensures the home and equipment are maintained to a high standard and reduces any risk to anyone using the service or visiting or working there. A social worker said, ‘It provides a safe, welcoming and fun environment for children where their needs are met.’

p.4

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

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has safely recruited three care staff. Staff undergo safer recruitment checks to ensure that they are suitable to work with vulnerable children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a long-standing, suitably qualified and experienced registered manager. Managers are dedicated and highly respected by staff, children and partner agencies. A social worker said, ‘They work in partnership with other professionals to ensure best practice is maintained.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager knows the children well. He is supported by an assistant manager and has a dedicated and committed staff team who work well together. Managers know the strengths and weaknesses of the service. Workforce development plans are meaningful, live working documents that help to strengthen the service. Inspection report for children’s home: SC464762 5 Most staff are skilled and qualified to a suitable level. One staff member is out of timescale for completing a relevant qualification for the care of children. The manager is working alongside the assessor to ensure that the member of staff completes the qualification. As a result, a requirement in relation to this has been restated.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive effective supervision, appraisals and training that equip them to deliver good care for children. This support helps them to further develop their skills and gives them opportunities to review and improve their practice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC464762 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 registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.6

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

p.6

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

p.6

Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

p.6

Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma"); or

p.6

Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

p.6

Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

p.6

Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that all staff have completed the relevant qualification in residential childcare. 31 March 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC464762 7 The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

p.6

Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)) 31 March 2023

p.7

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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 for children’s home: SC464762 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, Civic Centre, Walsall WS1 1TP

p.8

Inspector

Michelle Spruce, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC464762 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