Children's home run by Birmingham Children’s Trust Community Interest Company

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2711552 1 Registered provider: Birmingham Children’s Trust Community Interest Company

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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 operated by Birmingham Children’s Trust as part of the local authority. The home has been registered since December 2022 and provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager holds a level 5 qualification.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

This home was judged as inadequate at a full inspection on 9 and 10 May 2023. Due to the concerns identified during the inspection, Ofsted issued a compliance notice under regulation 13, the leadership and management standard, of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015.

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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. The inspector has 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: 2711552 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

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home. Although the child has only lived at the home for a short period of time, he has started to develop positive relationships with the staff. This has helped him to settle into the home well. During the inspection, the child told the inspector that he liked all of the staff.

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The care of children

The home environment is maintained to an adequate standard. Since the last inspection, the registered manager has added new soft furnishings, which has given a more homely feel. The child told the inspector that he ‘loved’ his bedroom as it ‘was so big’. The child has started to personalise his bedroom, which is supporting him to develop a sense of belonging.

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The care of children

The child’s views, wishes and feelings are explored through regular discussions with staff, and his wishes are acted on when safe to do so. For example, the child requested extra time out with his friends. This was explored and agreed with his social worker, and this has helped the child to feel that he contributes to the care he receives.

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The care of children

The child enjoys a range of activities. This includes new experiences such as trips to the seaside, the cinema and go-karting.

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The care of children

Staff support the child to maintain important relationships with his family, and they provide transport and supervision as needed.

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The safety of children

The child is settled at the home. There have been no incidents or concerns since the last inspection.

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The safety of children

Staff are clear about the risks posed to the child. The child’s in-house plans are current, and there is clear guidance for staff to follow to help them keep the child safe.

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The safety of children

Since the last inspection, the manager has recruited new staff. When appointing these staff, the manager has followed the organisation’s safer recruitment guidance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has monitoring systems in place to support his oversight of the home and the progress that children make. In combination with the home’s Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2711552 3 development plan and the independent visitor reports, these systems provide the registered manager with the means to continually assess and improve the quality of care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has ensured that the home has sufficient staff to care for the child. New staff have been recruited, which has reduced the use of agency staff. When agency staff are needed, the registered manager has used a consistent group of people to ensure that the child receives care from adults that he knows.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has reviewed the skills and experience of the staff team. Following this review, staff have undertaken training, including training that is specific to children’s needs. In addition, managers have used team meetings to provide the staff with additional training and guidance relating to safeguarding. This has helped to ensure that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to promote the safety and welfare of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The responsible individual has introduced a new quality assurance system to review the quality of care provided to children. As this is in its infancy, its effectiveness is not fully tested.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

This inspection found the compliance notice issued under regulation 13 to be met. Requirements raised at the last inspection that were not tested as part of this inspection have been restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2711552 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/05/2023 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2711552 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, The 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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff ensuring that children are supported to lead a healthy lifestyle. 13 August 2023

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff understanding and implementing children’s risk assessments, staff’s monitoring 13 August 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2711552 6 and supervision of children and their role in keeping children safe.

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that debriefs are carried out with children and that these are recorded. 13 August 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to children having up-to-date records that are reflective of their needs. 13 August 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2711552 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Birmingham Children’s Trust Community Interest Company

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Birmingham Children’s Trust, Third Floor Zone 16, 1 Lancaster Circus, Birmingham B4 7DJ

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Inspector

Lydia Isaac, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2711552 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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