Children's home run by City of Wolverhampton Council

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC378153 1 SC378153

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Registered provider: Wolverhampton City Council

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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 a local authority and provides short breaks for up to six children aged between nine and 17. The children may have experienced childhood adversity that has resulted in emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since April 2013. He holds a relevant level 4 diploma.

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Inspection date: 27 November 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 27 November 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: SC378153 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

Children move into and out of the home in a considered way. The manager and staff plan appropriately for children to come to stay at the home. The manager ensures that a thorough compatibility assessment is undertaken to ensure that children can live together well. When children leave the home, they are kept at the centre of the planning and, as a result, understand and are involved in their future plans.

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Findings from the inspection

Regular meetings with staff give children the opportunity to share their thoughts and for staff to understand children’s wishes and feelings. Improvements in gathering children’s views have resulted in children receiving care and support that is increasingly tailored to meet their needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s health needs are met by the staff. Clear and detailed risk management plans for children with allergies give staff clear guidance about how to respond in the event of any concerns. Information-sharing between the manager and external professionals about children’s health needs has helped to increase staff’s understanding of children’s health requirements and what they need to do to ensure children’s health is promoted.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have received training about the expectations for recording incidents. Consequently, the recording of incidents has improved, and reports are now clearer. This helps the manager to have clearer oversight of the children’s care.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been improvements in the oversight of health and safety. Regular audits now ensure that health and safety concerns are identified at the earliest opportunity. Actions from the electrical installation check have now been satisfactorily completed. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC378153 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/06/2022 Full Good 22/02/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness 19/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC378153 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Wolverhampton City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, St Peters Square, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV1 1SH

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Inspector

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC378153 5 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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