Children's Home run by Bright Life Living (Stirchley) Ltd in Birmingham

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2656172 1 Registered provider: Bright Life Living (Stirchley) Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a private company. It is registered to care for up to three children who may have specific social and emotional difficulties and are likely to have experienced trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The interim manager, who was a senior manager for the organisation, has been overseeing the home since 25 April 2023. Ofsted received their application to register on 27 July 2023 but this application is now being withdrawn. A new manager has since joined the service and intends to submit their application to register with Ofsted soon.

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Inspection date: 12 October 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 12 October 2023

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: 2656172 2

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Outcome 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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Findings from the inspection

At the time of the inspection, there were two children living in the home. Since the last inspection, one child has moved in. Children who are currently living in the home said that they feel safe and well supported. One child told the inspector: ‘They trust staff and staff here see it as more than just a job.’

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Findings from the inspection

Children have positive experiences of moving into the home. The process is well planned and children’s needs are thoroughly assessed. Additionally, children are visited by staff and enjoy visits to the home before moving in. This approach ensures that children are supported during a difficult time.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s physical health needs are promoted. Children are registered with local health services and attend appointments when required. In addition, staff and managers are proactive in ensuring that specialist support is available for children. Children have recently started to attend therapy sessions. Alongside this, staff and managers are working closely with health professionals to ensure that children’s health needs are well understood and met.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are listened to and their opinions valued. The manager has implemented new and innovative ways to gather children’s views. For example, children are now involved in setting and reviewing their own goals and targets within their care plan. Furthermore, children contribute to how they wish to be cared for when experiencing difficult emotions, and they benefit from targeted one-to-one sessions. This approach allows children to feel a sense of belonging and being valued.

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Findings from the inspection

The environment is generally well maintained and homely; however, there is damage to the bathroom door and furniture in one child’s bedroom. The manager acknowledged these issues and was able to evidence plans for scheduled improvement work to take place.

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Findings from the inspection

When children go missing from the home, staff follow clear procedures to ensure that children are kept safe. Staff take appropriate action and follow the relevant protocols. They ensure that they actively search for children and contact appropriate agencies, such as the police, to report children missing. In addition, staff are proactive in working alongside key people to try to locate children. Children are welcomed back to the home in a positive manner and return home interviews take place. This helps to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s relationships with each other are generally positive. However, there have been occasions when children have had disagreements. When these incidents occur, Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2656172 3 staff act swiftly to ensure that the situation is well managed and does not escalate. Following incidents, children are supported to better understand their emotions. This ensures that children are given skills to resolve their conflicts and promote positive relationships.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children well when they are in crisis and they take appropriate action. For example, staff were proactive in securing immediate medical help and support when a child attempted to take their own life. Following the incident, managers and staff worked alongside specialist medical professionals and the child’s social worker to implement a safety plan to ensure ongoing support.

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Findings from the inspection

Allegations against staff are usually well managed and coordinated. However, on one occasion when a child made an allegation, the information was not shared promptly with leaders and managers. This delay in reporting is not in line with the company policy or the child’s risk assessment. This shortfall in practice could potentially place children at risk of harm.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has not had a registered manager since 25 April 2023. Despite this, there have been considerable improvements made since the last inspection. For example, new monitoring systems have been implemented to identify shortfalls and maintain compliance. Furthermore, learning reviews have been introduced following significant incidents. This ensures that the quality of care provided for children is continually reviewed.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have also been improvements with staff training. Staff have now completed training specific to children’s needs, such as training about attachment and therapeutic approaches. Training is now identified and completed more promptly. Plans are also in place for staff to receive additional training, development and support from the newly appointed therapist.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff speak positively about working in the home and the relationships they have with children. Staff feel well supported by the manager. Additionally, staff are now receiving regular supervisions. These focus on key topics and provide opportunities for staff to reflect on their performance and learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have taken effective action to meet four of the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection. One requirement has been reinstated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2656172 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2656172 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 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

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

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(iv)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that staff follow children’s plans and have the skills to spot signs when children may be at risk and then take effective action to keep children safe.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated from the previous inspection. 9 November 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2656172 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bright Life Living (Stirchley) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Wheeleys Road, Birmingham B15 2LD

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Inspector

Carl Wilton, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2656172 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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