Children's home run by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2745618 1 Registered provider: Walsall Metropolitan Borough council 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 December 2023 and is owned by a local authority. It provides care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since the home registered.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2745618 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home. The children have lived at the home since it registered and have a positive relationship with each other. They are beginning to forge trusting, secure relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and welcoming for children. It is clean and tidy, and staff take pride in the environment. The manager has plans to renovate the garden so that children can use this space to explore and play.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend education in line with their plans, which supports their learning and development. The staff team has worked hard with one child to identify a plan for further education. There is clear consultation with children, and plans are in line with their wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are welcomed when they come to live at the home. There is robust planning before their admission. The manager and deputy manager ensure that they review all necessary documents to make an informed decision about whether the child’s needs can be met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and the staff work in partnership with external agencies when children require help and support. Children are referred to services in a timely manner. Where children’s care plans are to return home to their family, the staff team works cohesively with the local authority to achieve this for the child. Staff are motivated, and their practice is child focused. This helps to avoid delay for children so that permanency can be achieved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with a range of experiences, and children are encouraged to have fun while living at the home. The home is hosting a charity fun day. Children are involved in organising this, sharing ideas and suggestions. The children will also be going on holiday together. This supports children’s development of social skills and involvement in the community.

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

Risk assessments are in place and consider known risks for children. The plans offer staff practical strategies to support children, and these are regularly updated and reviewed by the manager. Staff involve children in their plans, and creative ways to reduce risk are identified. This approach has encouraged children to gain a better understanding of their own needs and is a positive and inclusive way of reducing risks.

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

Children say that they feel safe and happy living at the home. The care offered to them is personalised. For one child, who finds communication difficult, a book was purchased to encourage communication. This has successfully supported them to share their Inspection report for children’s home: 2745618 3 feelings and views and reduces the likelihood of incidents linked to communication barriers.

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

When children go missing from care, staff follow their plans to ensure that they are safe. Staff are proactive and search for children and contact them to provide emotional reassurance and support. This practice has resulted in one child’s risks reducing and they have been helped to understand how to keep safe.

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

Consultation with external agencies during incidents is good, and the home has forged strong working relationships with services. The home welcomes consultation with services and regular discussion is evident. This approach informs staff’s practice and has a positive impact on care afforded to children.

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

Children are rewarded for positive behaviour and incentives are used to encourage this.

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

There have not been any complaints or allegations, and physical intervention techniques have not been used in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced and shows commitment to the children and has formed strong relationships with them. The manager has a clear vision for the home going forwards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good monitoring systems in place which provide them with effective oversight of the home. This approach ensures that improvements can be made and staff practice continually develops. The manager spoke proudly of their systems, which evidence children’s positive experiences living at the home and progress from their starting points.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly and are creative. Leaders use these meetings as an opportunity to upskill the staff team. This approach brings the team together and encourages a shared commitment to improving the lives of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are provided with a wide range of training to inform their practice. This training is tailored to children’s individual needs. The training supports staff to provide individualised care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager follows safer recruitment practices to ensure that new staff are safe and suitable to work with children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2745618 4

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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: 2745618 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, PO Box 15, Walsall WS1 1TP

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Inspector

Charlotte Love, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2745618 6 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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