Children's Home run by Forte Care Ltd in Birmingham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2652817 1 Registered provider: Forte Care Ltd 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 up to two children who have suffered adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and presenting complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2023. He has suitable skills and the qualification required.

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Information about this children’s home

The home recently reopened after being closed temporarily. A condition of registration requiring the provider to notify Ofsted of their intention to admit children was lifted in March 2023.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2652817 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home reopened in March, one child moved in and moved on from the home within a short period of time as they required more specialised support than had been anticipated by managers, staff and other professionals involved. Prior to the child moving into the home, staff and managers worked in partnership with agencies such as social workers, doctors and nurses for over two months planning the child’s transition into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff have reflected on the child’s experiences of living at the home and have taken learning from this. Managers and leaders made a decision not to admit another child for over month and used this period for staff to complete refresher training in behaviour management, mental health, autism, report writing and recording and playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy training.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, one child lives at the home. This child has settled quickly and is making significant progress in all areas of their life. For example, the child has built positive relationships with staff. This has helped to improve their emotional well-being, because they are able to express their wishes and feelings when they require support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff supported the child to sit their exams and the child is now looking forward to progressing to college after missing a significant period of their education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff are child focused and understand that the child’s voice is paramount in the care they give them. They ensure that the child has opportunities to share their views through children’s meetings, one-to-one quality time with staff, discussions with the independent visitor and through the child having access to an advocate. The child is involved in making decisions about their day-to-day care and feels valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is warm and welcoming and provides the child with a beautiful family home where they can unwind and relax. The child has personalised their bedroom, and their personality shines through and shows their interests in reading, science and Harry Potter! The child has guinea pigs, which staff support them to look after.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and managers promote equality, diversity and tolerance within the home. This means staff are meeting the child’s cultural, identity and religious needs. These protected characteristics are very important to the child. Consequently, they feel seen and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys spending quality time with their close family and friends, supported by staff. The child has a good support network around them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2652817 3 The child accesses numerous activities within the home and the community. They enjoy going to gymnastics club, trampolining, swimming, visits to the seaside and crocheting. The child also volunteers at a local café, which they enjoy while developing important life skills. The child is pursuing their interests and at the same time is encouraged to engage in new activities. They are also making memories that they will treasure.

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

Managers and staff work well with partner agencies and understand the child’s needs and presenting behaviours. Consequently, managers have put in place robust behaviour management plans and risk assessments. Staff have clear step-by-step guidance on protocols to follow to safeguard the child. The child’s risk-taking behaviours have reduced and restrictions on their liberty are being reviewed in light of the progress made.

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

Staff role model positive behaviours and use reward charts to reinforce these with the child. The child is now able to regulate their emotions better and is keeping themselves safe.

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

Staff use their positive relationships, communication skills and de-escalation techniques to support children. Restraint is only used when needed. This helps maintain positive relationships with the child and avoids any serious escalation. When physical intervention is used, incident reports are detailed and include good management oversight.

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

Managers respond to allegations meticulously. They ensure that relevant agencies, such as social workers and the local authority designated officer, are notified of concerns raised, and that recommendations made are acted on. This good practice helps to keep children safe from harm.

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

Safer recruitment processes of staff are continuously reviewed, and shortfalls are addressed promptly to ensure that only safe adults look after children at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is passionate about his work and has high expectations of his team in supporting the child to achieve the best outcomes that they can. Partner agencies report that he has excellent communication skills and he keeps them up to date with what is happening in the child’s day-to-day care. The manager advocates for the child and seeks support from partner agencies whenever this is required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s monitoring of the home is effective overall. He is aware of the strengths of the service and areas for development. He has now recruited a full staff team, following a period of high staff turnover.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they feel supported by the manager and can approach him when they need support. The manager uses staff meetings to discuss the child’s needs and Inspection report for children’s home: 2652817 4 staff practice, and to reflect on incidents in the home. This helps to continually improve the quality of care given to child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision records are detailed and of a good standard. Staff have opportunities to reflect on practice and their continuous professional development. They feel that managers are invested in them and provide them with relevant specialised training to enable them to safely care for the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2652817 5

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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: 2652817 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 213 Station Road, Stechford, Birmingham, West Midlands B33 8BB

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Chinchen

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Inspector

Rumbi Mangoma, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2652817 7 regulates and inspects 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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