Children's Home run by Quest Children’s Home Limited in Birmingham

Inspection report for children's home: 2728028 1 Registered provider: Quest Children’s Home 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

This home registered with Ofsted in October 2023 and is owned by a private provider. The home provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a manager in post who registered with Ofsted in October 2023. The manager is working towards obtaining a level 5 qualification.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2728028 2

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improvement to be good

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. There are shortfalls in how well children are protected from harm. A lack of responsive care by the manager and staff has had an impact on the overall experiences and progress of children.

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improvement to be good

One child recently moved on from the home after it was identified that staff could not keep them safe. The manager did not obtain key documents to support their decision- making and did not conduct sufficient assessment before admitting the child. This prevented the manager from making an informed decision before the child moved into the home.

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improvement to be good

Overall, the home is clean and tidy. However, the garden fences require repair and the grass needs cutting. This detracts from a homely environment and prevents children from using the garden.

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improvement to be good

The child living at the home, who has had multiple moves, is starting to feel settled and has engaged in activities such as swimming and going to the gym.

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improvement to be good

When children do not attend education, staff identify alternative opportunities for learning. Staff have introduced a timetable for the child which is encouraging them to develop a routine which will prepare them to attend school. The manager is also having regular discussions with partner agencies to identify a suitable school.

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improvement to be good

When children move into the home, they are not registered with health services, such as a GP, in a timely manner. This has prevented a child from having a medical review for a health condition and a review of their prescribed medication. As a result, children’s health needs are not promoted. Furthermore, staff have not recognised when children require help to address difficulties. They have not made referrals to external agencies or developed a plan to support a child with their difficulties.

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improvement to be good

Feedback about the home is varied. One external professional spoke positively about the home, while another said that the professional relationship was difficult. This relationship hindered the progression of a child’s care plan, which had an impact on the overall progress of the child.

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improvement to be good

When children are at risk of sexual exploitation, staff practice is inconsistent. For one child, who was at high risk of exploitation, the quality of staff practice varied. For example, return home interviews and emotional support were not always offered after the child returned from being missing. Furthermore, the manager did not seek support for the child Inspection report for children's home: 2728028 3 from external agencies. These shortfalls significantly affected the child’s safety and well- being.

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improvement to be good

No complaints or allegations have been made and no physical interventions have been used.

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improvement to be good

One child’s plan had not been updated regularly and did not reflect the current arrangements for them spending time in the community. Consequently, staff were not given the correct guidance and information to keep the child safe.

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improvement to be good

The manager has not always notified the regulator of significant incidents. This prevents the regulator from having effective oversight of care practice in the home.

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improvement to be good

The manager and staff lack professional curiosity. Staff have not been sufficiently curious and aware of dynamic risks to safeguard children effectively. This includes when children who are at risk of criminal exploitation use the internet. Effective internet restrictions are not imposed and mobile phone checks do not take place in line with known risks.

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improvement to be good

The registered manager ensures that all required health and safety checks are conducted in the home.

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improvement to be good

The home uses CCTV as a form of surveillance and to promote the safety of children living there. Despite the home seeking permission from placing authorities, children were not informed about the use of CCTV and therefore their views had not been considered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There is a registered manager in post. They are new to the role and are currently working towards completing a level 5 qualification to enhance their skills and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager has some monitoring systems in place; however, these systems are ineffective and do not identify shortfalls.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager ensures that staff have access to a wide range of training. This training is specific to the needs of children and has helped staff to improve their knowledge of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and child exploitation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff have regular supervision. Supervision discussions cover a range of issues and identify actions and areas for development of staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager has failed to ensure that suitable checks are carried out on staff before they work in the home. For example, they had not conducted appropriate checks for a staff member who had worked overseas. Additionally, staff convictions had not been adequately explored and considered and nor had gaps in employment. This fails to ensure that staff have been suitably vetted and are safe and suitable to work with children. Inspection report for children's home: 2728028 4 The registered manager and responsible individual acknowledged the shortfalls and are committed to making improvements in the home and to the care provided to children. Inspection report for children's home: 2728028 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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

that each child is registered as a patient with a general medical practitioner and a registered dental practitioner; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10(1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(b)(c)) 3 June 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2728028 6 This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that children are registered with statutory services such as a GP and that they are supported to attend reviews of existing health conditions. This also relates to the registered person having a good understanding of external services available to refer to which support children’s mental health and difficulties with substance misuse.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, where there are known risks to children, staff must be confident in delivering targeted work to reduce risks and educate children about these risks. Furthermore, they must have knowledge of external agencies so they can make referrals to support children.

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Requirement Due date

Following incidents of children going missing from home, children must be provided with the opportunity for follow-up work such as emotional support. Return home interviews must take place on a consistent basis. 3 June 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2728028 7 Managers must ensure that staff are curious when safeguarding children and be aware of dynamic risks.

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Requirement Due date

When children have access to the internet, the manager must ensure that there are sufficient measures in place to keep them safe. This includes appropriate filters for all devices and mobile phone checks.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, risk assessments and plans require regular updates and must include all known risks for children.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager’s practice when considering referrals and admissions to the home. Managers must ensure that they have robust systems in place when considering referrals. They should carry out a risk assessment, ensure all key documents are obtained, and that professional discussions and decisions are recorded. 3 June 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph 3.

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32(1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(a)(d)) 3 June 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2728028 8 This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that they follow safer recruitment practice. They must ensure that all necessary pre-employment checks for new members of staff are conducted. Furthermore, when individuals have convictions, they must ensure that these are sufficiently explored, considering any impact of their convictions on children and fulfilling the duties of their role.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(e)) 3 June 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home environment is nurturing and homely, to meet the needs of children. This specifically relates to ensuring that the garden is well maintained so that it is accessible to children and external repairs are undertaken to ensure children’s safety. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that, when CCTV or other monitoring equipment is used, that children are informed, and their views are considered. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.16) Inspection report for children's home: 2728028 9

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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: 2728028 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Quest Children’s Home Limited

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Inspector

Charlotte Love, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2728028 11 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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