Children's Home run by Serenity Specialist Care Ltd in Birmingham

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC471672 1 SC471672

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Serenity Specialist Care Limited

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to four children with complex needs. There is currently one child living in the home. No new children have moved in to the home since the last inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2021 and is suitably qualified.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the assurance inspection on 28 and 29 March 2024. Ofsted issued a compliance notice under regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. A notice to restrict accommodation was also issued to prevent any new children from moving in to the home.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to review the provider’s progress in meeting the compliance notice and to review the provider’s adherence to the restriction of accommodation notice. The compliance notice in relation to regulation 13 was met. Additionally, the inspector found that all requirements made at the last inspection have also been met.

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This monitoring visit

Keeping children safe is seen as paramount. The manager has highly effective systems for recording, reporting, and monitoring safeguarding concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Communication with professionals, such as the local authority, the designated officer, and social workers, is effective. The manager shares information with them swiftly to avoid delay and ensure that children are protected from harm. The manager takes guidance from these professionals, and they work together to ensure that the child is safe. Safeguarding records are comprehensive. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC471672 2 Staff are now aware of their safeguarding responsibilities, and they have a good knowledge of the whistle-blowing procedures. The manager has implemented further tools to promote this positive safeguarding culture.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has implemented ample monitoring systems, which ensure that they have good oversight of the home and take action to address issues as they arise. For example, unannounced visits now take place by senior leaders three times a month. Oversight of the home is now effective. They, therefore, have a good understanding of how well this home is supporting children and the extent to which the aims for children have been achieved.

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This monitoring visit

The manager and staff make every effort and dedicate an immeasurable amount of time to attain the opinions of children. For example, a wishes and feelings system has been implemented that includes a wishes and feelings book and box, what’s on your mind form, and the grumbles system. Children also have access to an out-of- hours contact if they need to speak to someone in case of an emergency. The child’s views are promoted, and they say that they are ‘listened to’.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are provided with a wide range of training that informs their practice and meets the child’s individual and diverse needs. Staff have been upskilled in safeguarding, managing allegations, closed cultures, and reporting and recording. Additionally, staff take part in safeguarding scenarios and quizzes about current legislation. The manager is creative in her thinking and is constantly looking for new, creative ways to support staff to sustain the highest quality of care for children. This strengthens staff’s understanding of children’s needs and how to support each child. Team meetings and supervisions take place monthly and are used as a place for reflection and learning. Important issues are tracked and discussed, and children are at the centre of all practice.

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This monitoring visit

There is an abundance of comprehensive written plans for the child. The manager and staff demonstrate a great understanding of the child’s vulnerabilities and potential risks posed to them. The child’s risk assessments are detailed and clear. Risks are appropriately assessed. Staff are directed in how to manage and mitigate the risks identified for the child. This helps to ensure that the child is protected from harm.

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This monitoring visit

Procedures for the recruitment of staff are robust. Overseas checks are now completed. This ensures that all necessary checks are undertaken to confirm that the applicant poses no risk to children.

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This monitoring visit

The manager now has systems to support staff to achieve the required qualification in residential childcare. The manager has good communication with the new training provider and has set up monthly online meetings to support the enrolled staff with their development. All staff currently working on this are still within the required timescales. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC471672 3 The location risk assessment has been reviewed. This now includes updated police crime statistics and consultation with relevant people. The manager has now ensured that the home environment is a safe place for the child to live.

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This monitoring visit

The use of agency staff has significantly decreased since the last inspection; the child living in the home has benefited from continuity of care. The home has worked hard to recruit an experienced team. A recruitment officer has been appointed to support with this. Four qualified staff have been recruited, pending safer recruitment checks. As a result, the restriction of accommodation notice has been lifted.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/05/2023 Full Good 12/07/2022 Full Good 19/01/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC471672 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC471672 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Serenity Specialist Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: First Floor, Dominion Court, 43 Station Road, Solihull B91 3RT

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Inspector

Marianne Grandfield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC471672 6 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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