Children's Home run by Chamberlain Residential Care LTD in Wolverhampton

Inspection report for children’s home: 2659259 1 Registered provider: Chamberlain 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 was registered with Ofsted in June 2022 and is privately owned. It provides care for up to two children who have experienced childhood instability which has resulted in trauma and associated complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 29 June 2022. She has an appropriate qualification and is suitably experienced.

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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 outstanding

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2659259 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, two children, who are siblings, were living at the home. Both children moved into the home in August 2022. The children have settled exceptionally well and are happy living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have built strong bonds with staff because they have positive relationships with them. A staff member said: ‘I love this home and the children who live here. We provide a caring, therapeutic, family-orientated provision for the children. They appear to be settled and happy.’ A social worker also said: ‘Children are flourishing and doing really well.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children have plenty of access to activities in and out of the home. The registered manager said: ‘Children love to be active. They go swimming, play pool, ride their bikes, play football and basketball. [Name of child] also loves cars and likes to clean them. He has aspirations to have his own car cleaning business.’ As a result, children’s experiences are broadening and their confidence and self-esteem excel.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Before living at the home, both children experienced barriers to education that impacted on their learning experience. Since living in the home, managers and staff have worked exceptionally well in partnership with schools to help children access education that suit their needs. For example, one child has moved school and is settled, attending daily with no current concerns. The other child’s progress is remarkable. Academically, he is excelling and achieving above the required standard. An independent reviewing officer said: ‘[name of the child] has been struggling in school for some time. Staff have supported him to get up, go in [to school] and move to a different specialist provision.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children share their thoughts, wishes and feelings in key-work sessions, daily discussions and monthly house meetings. Children happily share their thoughts. A child wrote a letter to the manager about his feelings and said: ‘To [name of the manager] I just wanted to say a big thank you for all the hard work you have been doing for us, and with us, throughout the time we have been living at the home.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have not raised any complaints. The registered manager uses a ‘worry bowl’ for children to write their feelings down when they struggle to talk. Children use this creative method effectively. As a result, staff understand what the child is feeling and can address their worries before they become complaints. A social worker said: ‘[name of the child] was having difficulties communicating. Staff are good at using strategies, such as a worry box. This is such a lovely thing to help him to communicate. They write back to him. I love the creativeness and how they are putting him first.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2659259 3 Children have regular visits and overnight stays with their family. Staff work in partnership with family members to ensure that children stay connected. Since the children moved into the home, arrangements to spend time with family have improved. Staff have also helped parents implement boundaries for children that

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

mirror the expectations in the home. This has helped children to settle and enjoy valuable time with their family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated and furnished to meet the children’s needs. Staff listen to what children say about the home they live in and actively make changes in response to children’s requests where possible. For example, children asked to change the room arrangements around to accommodate a games room. Staff have redecorated each room and provided a pool table and an additional TV to meet the children’s needs.

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

Children are safe and protected from harm. Children have been missing from home on one occasion since moving into the home. This was an isolated incident. Swift action taken by staff, who worked in partnership with the police and family members, helped the children to return home safely.

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

Children have needed low-level restraint on five occasions. Staff only use physical intervention as a last resort. The excellent relationships staff have with children mean that they can de-escalate situations before they need to use restraint. As a result, the need to use physical intervention is now a rare occurrence.

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

Staff promote positive behaviour and offer rewards and incentives. When conflict arises between children, staff use their skills and knowledge to promote calm and peace. When incidents occur, action is taken to resolve the disagreement. As a result, peace is restored, and children continue to live together in harmony.

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

Staff have rules and boundaries in place that help children to feel safe. Staff promote the use of these boundaries to family when children go on home visits and overnight stays. This good partnership working means that children behave well. Parents comment about how they have noticed a welcome change in the children’s behaviour.

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

The registered manager ensures that only suitable persons are employed to work with children. She has safely recruited two more staff since the home was registered. This keeps children safe from unsuitable candidates having access to them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by a suitably qualified registered manager. She is supported by a skilled and qualified deputy manager. Leaders and managers are exceptional. They are remarkably creative, ambitious and dedicated. Staff have the utmost Inspection report for children’s home: 2659259 4 respect for their commitment, which cascades down to the staff. They are very highly respected by staff, children and partner agencies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive highly effective supervision, appraisals and training that equip them in delivering loving care for children. As a result, staff continue to develop skills, knowledge and qualifications essential to their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak in high regard for their manager. They love their jobs and are continually pushed to develop their skills and interests. As a result, staff retention is high, and children continue to receive good continuity of care that is fundamental in meeting their needs. A staff member said: ‘As well as having a great team, we also have a great manager and deputy manager who provide us with all the skills, tools and resources necessary to not only do our jobs well but also encourage us to continue to perform and excel.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has meaningful development plans in place. Her consistent enthusiasm to improve the service overflows to her staff. They are always encouraged to participate in shaping the home. The manager acknowledges staff’s achievements and praises them. Staff are given Employee of the Month and Star of the Month awards to recognise their dedication. This motivates staff to do the best they can.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The independent visitor visits the home each month and provides a report to the registered manager. Recommendations are raised to improve the service, which the registered manager acts on. As a result, children continue to live in a safe and well- managed home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager reviews the quality of care of the home. She knows the home’s strengths and weaknesses. She is creative in finding ways to showcase children’s progress against their targets. This impressive and innovative way of monitoring feeds into the quality of car review and evidences the great progress children are making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Communication and partnership working are a strength. Professionals speak highly of the manager and recognise how attuned to children’s needs the manager is. An independent reviewing officer said: ‘At my last visit, [name of manager] especially understood the likely impact of trauma and placement moves on [name of children]’s emotional presentation and ability to form attachments.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2659259 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful and clear record-keeping in relation to the status of each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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 for children’s home: 2659259 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Chamberlain Residential Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 109 Sledmore Road, Dudley DY2 8DZ

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Inspector

Michelle Spruce, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2659259 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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