Children's Home run by Solve Housing Limited in Sandwell

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2679735 1 Registered provider: Solve Housing Limited

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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 is registered to provide care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this visit, one child was living in the home. The child chose not to speak with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

A suitably qualified and experienced manager is in post. She is registered to manage two homes. Due to planned absence, the manager was not present during the visit.

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This monitoring visit

On 23 July 2024, a suspension notice was issued by Ofsted because children did not always receive their care from suitable adults. On 30 July 2024, a visit took place to fully review staff recruitment practices across the organisation. As a result, the suspension notice was lifted, and a notice restricting accommodation was issued on 31 July 2024.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to make sure that leaders have taken sufficient action since 31 July 2024 to safeguard children and to check that the leadership and management arrangements are sufficient. In addition, children’s care and the home environment were assessed.

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This monitoring visit

The child has lived at the home for over two years. They have good relationships with staff, and they are making progress in line with their plans. The child is in good health, and they have been supported by staff and specialist services to reduce their substance misuse. This is significant progress.

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This monitoring visit

The child’s wishes and feelings in relation to their faith are well supported. The child attends their chosen place of worship each week and staff observe holy events, Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2679735 2 including Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. This is helping the child to develop their sense of identity in line with their culture.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last visit, three children have moved on from the home. Staff promoted positive endings, and the children returned to live with their families in line with their plans.

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This monitoring visit

Action has been taken to ensure that the staff working with children are suitable. Improved safer recruitment processes are in place, and staff recruitment records are organised. Leaders and senior staff members have completed safer recruitment training to help them make safer recruitment decisions in the future to protect children. Support and guidance are available from an external consultancy service to help leaders make safer recruitment decisions. This means that lessons have been learned and the risk of children receiving their care from unsafe adults has reduced.

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This monitoring visit

Leadership of the service is strengthened with the addition of an experienced operations manager while the manager is not at work. The operations manager has worked at the home for five weeks. She has good oversight of the child’s care and has worked hard to complete the home’s improvement action plan to benefit the child. The responsible individual’s oversight of the service has improved because the frequency of their visits to the home has increased.

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This monitoring visit

The home environment is greatly improved. The home is clean, bright and welcoming, which promotes a sense of belonging. Some areas have been redecorated and tidied. Fixtures and fittings are in a good state of repair.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s statement of purpose has been updated and shared with Ofsted as required by the regulations to accurately reflect the staff who are working at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has demonstrated that it has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the seven requirements raised at the last visit are met. The notice restricting accommodation has been lifted. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2679735 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/06/2023 Full Good 06/03/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2679735 4

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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: 2679735 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Solve Housing Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 3000, 123 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull B90 3ND

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Inspector

Amy Richards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2679735 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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