Children's Home run by R.E.A.C.H CHC LTD in Sandwell

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674591 1 Registered provider: R.E.A.C.H CHC LTD

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and may care for up to three children who may have emotional, social or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2023 and is working towards a suitable qualification.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 26 September 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: 2674591 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

One child is currently living in the home. The child has made good progress in most areas of their life. For example, the child has started sessions with a counsellor, enjoys attending roller disco weekly, is developing age-appropriate life skills such as ironing and cooking, and has invested in their family time plans.

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The care of children

Staff’s recording of direct work has improved since the last inspection. They use impromptu sessions to discuss the child’s feelings and worries. This calm approach to professional curiosity allowed the child to explore their personal identity.

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The care of children

Since the last inspection, the child has started at a new school and has 100% attendance to date. This provides routine and structure for the child and is, importantly, allowing them to socialise with children of their own age.

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The care of children

There were significant shortfalls in the environment previously. Since the last inspection, improvements have been made to the lounge, dining area and hallway. A new bathroom has also been fitted which is more modern and welcoming for the child to use. The child’s bedroom has improved, and they have now chosen wallpaper to personalise this space further.

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The safety of children

The registered manager has made improvements to the monitoring of children’s risk assessments. The registered manager completes a monthly review of behaviour themes to help identify what strategies are effective when responding to the child’s risks.

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The safety of children

Since the last inspection, there has been a reduction in the use of restraint. The registered manager has made improvements to the quality of debriefs after incidents. This allows staff to reflect on difficult situations and learn from these experiences.

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The safety of children

The child has made one allegation about a staff member working at the home. However, the child retracted this allegation quickly after the event when calm. Despite this, the registered manager still reviewed the records and referred to the child’s social worker and safeguarding professional. This transparent approach to safeguarding is an improvement since the last inspection.

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The safety of children

The inspector identified shortfalls in the registered manager’s oversight of recruitment practice. A gap of 12 years in a member of staff’s employment history had not been identified or explored. Furthermore, this period was spent abroad and Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674591 3 no reference checks for this time had been requested. Consequently, recruitment checks do not ensure that adults working in the home are appropriately vetted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, the then interim manager has registered with Ofsted. The registered manager is starting to grow in confidence, and she recognises the areas requiring development and the benefits of documenting these into a clear plan.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, staff have attended some training courses, including on the PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) model of care. The registered manager has further training planned for the staff team; however, the delay in the delivery of courses such as risk management, autism awareness and de- escalation techniques is excessive. This delay impacts on the new staff member’s ability to support the child, who then has to rely on the deputy manager and registered manager for support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has failed to submit the last a quality of care review report in timescales and has not sent Ofsted an updated statement of purpose since the last inspection. Though these shortfalls have not impacted on the delivery of care, it does affect Ofsted’s ability to safely monitor the home remotely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has implemented a workforce development plan. This plan provides staff with clear expectations for future training. The registered manager will use this to monitor staff development in the future. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674591 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674591 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide a copy of the statement of purpose to HMCI and make a copy of it available upon request to—

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Requirement Due date

a child’s placing authority. (Regulation 16 (2)(d)) 4 May 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (3)(d)) 4 May 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not 4 May 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674591 6 the parent of a child accommodated in the home. (Regulation 45 (1) (4)(a)(b))

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.1) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674591 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 322 Gravelly Lane, Birmingham B23 5SB

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Oliver O’Connell

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Inspector

Mark Dickinson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2674591 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.

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Inspector

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