Children's home run by Motivations Activity Projects Ltd in Birmingham

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC470284 1 SC470284

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Registered provider: Motivations Activity Projects Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It provides care for three children who have experienced childhood trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC470284 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home. Two of the children have lived at the home for over three years. One child has recently moved into the home and one child has moved out to semi-supported accommodation.

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The care of children

Children have secure and trusting relationships with the staff, who nurture and care for them. Children said they are happy, feel safe and like living in the home. They said they can talk to staff if they are worried. All children in the home are making good progress and have positive experiences of living in the home.

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The care of children

When children move into the home, staff warmly welcome them. Before moving in, children can visit the home. This gives them the opportunity to see their bedroom and meet the other children and staff. Similarly, when children move out, staff support children to visit their new homes. This helps to reduce children’s anxieties and helps them to settle into their new environment.

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The care of children

Children’s experiences are enhanced by living in the home. Children enjoy a wide range of activities with staff, including going to the cinema and shopping and doing arts and crafts. The children recently enjoyed a day trip to London with the managers of the home.

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The care of children

Children are doing well in education. All the children have excellent attendance and say they enjoy going to school or college. Staff support children to learn new skills and to develop their independence. One of the children has joined a local housing project, in preparation for when they move on to semi-supported accommodation.

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The care of children

Staff spend time with children exploring their thoughts and feelings about their day- to-day experiences. Conversations focus on the children’s individual needs, with staff giving the children guidance and support on matters they most need help with.

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The care of children

Managers and staff ensure that the home is well maintained. Children can personalise their bedrooms. Children were proud to show the inspector their bedrooms and pictures of their adventures and families displayed on their bedroom walls and throughout the home.

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The safety of children

Children are safeguarded. Managers and staff know the children well and understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. Incidents in the home are rare. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC470284 3 Staff and managers take prompt action when there are allegations and complaints. Managers ensure that they share information with other professionals. This demonstrates good partnership working, which helps to keep children safe.

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The safety of children

There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. However, the children’s missing-from-care protocols lack detail. While this has not impacted on the children, it does not give assurances that staff have all the information that they need to safeguard children effectively. The manager rectified this at the time of the inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A permanent, suitably experienced and qualified registered manager manages the home. He is extremely committed and enthusiastic. He has developed a thorough understanding of the home’s strengths and areas where development is needed. A conscientious and proficient deputy manager supports the manager, which has helped to strengthen the leadership and management of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, the manager and staff have worked hard to improve the quality of care. As a result, the requirements raised at the last inspection have been met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have implemented new monitoring systems, which have improved their oversight and enable them to quickly identify any shortfalls in practice. For example, the manager now audits children’s written plans monthly. This helps to improve the quality of the plans and the care that children receive. This also supports the development of staff, as they now have a greater understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff have the relevant skills and training to meet the needs of the children in their care. The manager facilitates specific needs-led training to ensure that staff can safely and knowledgeably support the children who live in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers respond effectively to complaints. When required, the manager consults with other professionals to ensure that there is a robust response to complaints or issues of concern. They also ensure that the complainants are informed of the outcomes of their complaints. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC470284 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/02/2022 Full Good 25/11/2019 Full Good 03/12/2018 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC470284 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should specify the procedures to be followed and the roles and responsibilities of staff when a child is missing from care or away from the home without permission and how staff should support the child to return to the home. Specifically, ensure missing-from-care protocols contain all the actions staff should take when children go missing. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.28) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC470284 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Motivations Activity Projects Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: St Matthews Business Centre, Duddeston Manor Road, Birmingham B7 4LZ

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Inspector

Sonia Sullivan, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC470284 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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