Children's home run by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in Walsall

Inspection report for children’s home: SC063815 1 SC063815 Registered provider: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority. The home provides care for up to four children between the ages of seven and 18 who have faced adverse childhood experiences and, as a result, may display complex behaviours. At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted for over nine years. She holds a Level 5 qualification in leadership and management in residential care.

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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

Date of last inspection: 25 January 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC063815 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/01/2023 Full Good 26/10/2021 Full Outstanding 27/02/2020 Full Outstanding 29/01/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC063815 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to make progress towards their education goals. The manager and staff regularly communicate with education professionals, which ensures that they are working collaboratively to meet the needs of the children. The manager has advocated for children to have access to appropriate education provision. As a result, children have been more successful in achieving their education outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between staff and children are positive. The manager and staff have taken time to understand the children’s individual needs. When moving into the home, one child had not been trusting of adults due to childhood experiences. The manager and staff developed an understanding of what had been going on for the child and, as a result, the child has developed better trust of the team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Key-work sessions are meaningful and effective. Staff have supported children with key-work sessions around areas that affect them. One child had work carried out around their increasing incidents. This has helped the child form a better understanding of what was going on for them at the time, and how they could be supported with this moving forward.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Transitions for children moving into and leaving the home are positive experiences. Children leaving the home are supported with developing independence skills prior to moving out. Children are involved in the process of their transitions. This has allowed them to have a better understanding of the changes in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is child-focused and nurturing. Children’s pictures are displayed around the home, along with evidence of their achievements. Children’s bedrooms are bespoke to them and provide a comfortable space for them to relax in.

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

A complaint made by a child was managed well by the manager. The process was very child-focused, and the child was involved in putting together a solution with the manager. As a result, the child’s relationship with staff improved and they felt more at ease with the staff around them.

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

Physical interventions are used as a last resort and carried out safely. Staff use their positive relationships with children to try to defuse a situation before it escalates. When physical interventions have been used, children are always provided with an opportunity to have a discussion around the incident. The manager has been analytical and identified patterns of behaviour to enable staff to support the children effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: SC063815 4 When children have required first aid, this has been provided safely by staff. Staff are trained in first aid and have a good understanding of their responsibilities. The recording of any accidents is clear and detailed.

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

Consequences for unwanted behaviour are fair and allow children to learn from the experience. Children are spoken to following a consequence being given, which gives them the chance to provide their own views. On a few occasions, the manager has not reviewed the consequence in a timely manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is long-standing and is committed to the progress of children and the development of staff. The manager is a strong advocate for the children as she wants to ensure that their needs are consistently met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment is safely carried out for new staff. Potential staff are correctly vetted prior to coming to work at the home. The method of recruitment is creative as children get involved in the process. Children form questions for potential staff, which enables them to have some part in the selection of new staff members.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s monitoring systems are effective. The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. She has used feedback from the independent visitor’s reports to improve the quality of the service and care. As a result, she has strong oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training for staff is of good quality. Staff benefit from a range of mandatory and bespoke courses relating to the children they provide care for. Team meetings are also used as an opportunity for staff to develop their understanding. As a result, staff are better equipped to provide care for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC063815 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that records of restraint are kept and enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure that it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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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: SC063815 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Walsall WS1 1TP

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Inspector

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC063815 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 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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