Children's Home run by Gracebridge Care in Birmingham

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2644474 1 Registered provider: Gracebridge Care

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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 privately owned and provides care for up to three children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

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Information about this inspection

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: 2644474 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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Findings from the inspection

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home. The two children speak positively about living in the home and named members of staff they have positive relationships with. Both children spoke enthusiastically about their holiday abroad in the summer. The children proudly showed the inspectors photo albums of the fond memories and fun experiences they had during their trip.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home. This was an unplanned move, but despite this the manager and staff ensured that the child had a positive move from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, staff have spent time with children educating them on the impact of bullying. The children participated in a four-week project, which supported them to develop skills in dealing with conflict and effective communication. This has helped promote more positive peer relationships and contributed to a safer living environment.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff respond quickly when children go missing from the home. They search for children and work with the local police until children are found. When children return to the home, staff spend time with them, giving them the opportunity to share any worries they have and to discuss their reasons for going missing. Staff use their professional curiosity to understand children’s risks, so that the right support is put into place to minimise further incidents of children going missing from home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff actively employ a nurturing approach in responding to self-harm incidents. They seek and provide medical advice as needed. Through conversations and activities, staff help children understand their thoughts and feelings. Additionally, children are referred to specialist health professionals to help them manage their anxieties, and strategies are implemented to minimise the occurrence of further incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical restraint is only used where necessary and as a last resort. Reports are detailed and recorded in line with regulation. However, on one occasion, staff did not record the correct date of the restraint.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, staff have completed a wide range of training, including anti-bullying, medication and restraint. All staff are up to date with their training. Consequently, staff have the knowledge and skills to improve the quality of care for the children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager does not always use monitoring systems to improve the quality of care in the home. For example, she does not consistently action all the recommendations Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2644474 3 from the independent visitor’s report. This is a missed opportunity to understand and take action to address any areas of development. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2644474 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/09/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2644474 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to their full potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make the best use of information from independent and internal monitoring to ensure continuous improvement to the quality of care provided to children. 9 February 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2644474 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rear Of Arden Lodge, 946 Warwick Road, Acocks Green Birmingham B27 6QG

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Inspectors

Jas Nahar, Social Care Inspector Nateisha Cardoza-Evans, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2644474 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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