Children's Home run by Child First Residential Ltd in Sandwell

Inspection report for children’s home: 2610371 1 Registered provider: Child First Residential Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns this home. It provides care for up to two children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and complex behaviours. There were two children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 29 August 2023 and holds the level 5 qualification in leadership and management for care services.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2610371 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/04/2023 Full Good 16/11/2022 Full Inadequate 25/07/2022 Full Inadequate 09/03/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 2610371 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children live in the home. They have lived in the home for several years. They are both settled and making good progress. The home environment provides children with a homely family feel. Children have contributed their views to the décor and furnishing of the home. They personalise their bedrooms with items relating to their interests and hobbies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff form positive relationships with children. Children trust staff because they listen to them and respond to them sensitively. As a result, children feel comfortable to explore any worries they may have. Staff promote positive relationships between children. Consequently, children develop tolerance and respect for one another. Because of this there is a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have improved emotional and mental well-being from their starting points. They have increased confidence and better self-esteem. Because of this, they can make choices about what they like and dislike. One child is now able to hold eye contact and conversations about their day to day experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children engage in education. One child, who had not attended school for some time, now has 100% attendance. They have recently sat their exams and have successfully gained a place at college. Another child has recently returned to school after a period of absence. Staff supported the child’s education during the child’s absence. They carefully planned work using the school curriculum. Consequently, the child continued to learn and develop their general knowledge. The manager is a good advocate for children. They are tenacious and determined to ensure children receive an education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to develop their independence. One social worker said they ‘couldn’t ask for more’ in respect of the support one child has received. This child now budgets independently. They make their own meals and complete most household tasks. Consequently, their social worker can plan for their future without delay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to reunify with their family members. One child has recently met family members who they had lost touch with. They are now keeping in touch with them. These important support networks will help them when they move out of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that they meet children’s health needs by promoting a healthy diet. Previous concerns about one child’s physical health have now resolved. As a result, they no longer require specialist support from external health professionals. Inspection report for children’s home: 2610371 4 Children enjoy hobbies and activities in line with their interests. One child attends guitar lessons and a youth club. Children enjoy baking, gaming and doing arts and crafts. These activities encourage them to develop life skills and create positive memories.

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

The manager and staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. Safeguarding incidents are few and staff take immediate action when they do occur. Reporting and recording of safeguarding incidents is good. The manager reinforces expectations amongst the staff team in every way they can.

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

Staff follow detailed guidance contained in children’s risk assessments to keep them safe. This enables staff to understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Staff respond quickly to ensure children’s safety. Children do not go missing. They enjoy spending time in the home and with the adults who care for them. Children develop safer ways to manage their feelings. As a result, there has been a significant reduction in self-injurious behaviour.

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

Overall, staff respond well to children’s behaviour. Some staff are very skilful and de- escalate situations quickly. They help children to develop the skills to process information without feeling frustrated. There has been one incident when staff had to physically intervene to keep one child safe. The manager speaks to children and staff after incidents. This helps them to reflect on how they can improve staff practice.

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

Occasionally, some staff have not responded to children in line with their care plans. Their responses have escalated situations, causing children to feel frustrated and overwhelmed. For example, removing their personal items without explanation. Some staff have also used language which could be stigmatising. The registered manager had already identified some of these shortfalls. In response, they have implemented upskilling workshops with staff to improve their practice.

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

Staff help children to remain safe online. There are appropriate online restrictions and boundaries in place. Children receive ongoing support to understand the risks of the internet. As a result, children can recognise when they may be unsafe and confide in staff. This means that staff are able to take appropriate action quickly to ensure their safety.

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

On one occasion the manager did not notify Ofsted of an allegation made by a child about a staff member. This compromised the external oversight of safeguarding practice in the home. However, the registered manager did notify the designated officer. They followed advice and guidance to ensure that children were safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. Staff and children are very complimentary about the manager. They describe the manager as ‘supportive, fun and joyful’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2610371 5 Since the last inspection there have been several changes to the staff team. Children have been well supported to understand these changes. However, they have experienced inconsistency due to staff leaving and new staff starting. Despite these changes there has been no use of agency staff. Leaders and managers have since improved their recruitment and induction process. This has helped to retain staff and will help to ensure that children receive consistent care. One child said ‘everyone here makes it feel like a family. They make you feel wanted and loved’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training pertinent to children’s needs and risks. This helps staff to understand and respond effectively to meet children’s needs. Staff receive meaningful supervision. This helps them to reflect and fulfil their role and responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have monitoring systems in place. They identify shortfalls in the quality-of-care children receive. As a result, managers understand how children are being cared for. They are also aware of the home’s areas for development and have a detailed action plan in place to address this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff work closely with external professionals. This enhances the quality of care children receive. Professionals provided unanimously positive feedback about the manager. One professional said that the manager communicates well. This helps professionals to work together in children’s best interests. Inspection report for children’s home: 2610371 6

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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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

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background; (Regulation 6(2)(b)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, managers should ensure that staff clearly understand children’s needs and how they should respond to them, as outlined in their care plans. 11 June 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people, including Ofsted. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.13)  The registered provider should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. Managers and staff should ensure that information about children is always recorded in a way that will be helpful to them and is non stigmatising. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report for children’s home: 2610371 7

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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: 2610371 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Child First Residential Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 11 Hollyhedge Road, West Bromwich B71 3BP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Rajinder Kudhail

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Inspector

Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2610371 9 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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Inspector

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