Children's Home run by Beacon Childcare Ltd in Birmingham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2671228 1 Registered provider: Beacon Childcare Ltd

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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 is run by a privately owned company. It provides care for one child who has had adverse childhood experiences. At the time of this inspection, one child lived in the home. The child spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

No children lived in the home between September 2023 and August 2024. The home is led by an experienced manager who registered with Ofsted in July 2024. She is completing a level 5 qualification in leadership and management for residential childcare.

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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: 12 September 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2671228 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2671228 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s move into the home was positive. This was achieved through good care planning. Managers spent time with the child to get to know them, and they gathered a wealth of information to support their decision-making. The child felt excited, and they were looking forward to starting a new chapter in their life. Staff thoughtfully filled the home with the child’s favourite scent before their arrival to make them feel welcome.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s experiences of the home are mixed. Initially, they made good progress in line with their plan, and they started to build positive relationships with staff. The child experienced new things, including trips to the seaside, go-karting and trampolining. Because of this, the child’s self-esteem improved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Over the last few weeks, the child’s progress has slowed, and they say they want to leave. Specialist help and advice have been sought, and staff talk with the child to explore their feelings around this. Good liaison and ongoing meetings with professionals, including social workers, are supporting the child to improve their experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Consultation with the child is strong. Their views are continually captured and listened to. For example, staff do not wear any outside shoes in the home. They take their shoes off at the front door and change into a pair of slippers. This shows the child’s views are respected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health is prioritised. Effective support from staff ensures that they attend their health appointments, and they have access to health services. This promotes good health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Cultural needs are well considered and supported. Staff sourced a special swimsuit for the child to wear when swimming, in line with their religious beliefs. Some staff and the child share the same beliefs and culture. This provides opportunities for the child to ask questions and gain knowledge, which is helping them to develop their identity.

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

The child has a trusted adult they can talk to about any concerns they may have.

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

Safeguarding systems are robust, and staff understand their responsibilities to protect children. There is a proactive approach to risk management, and staff are knowledgeable about the risks that the child faces. Clear and up-to-date safety plans help staff manage risks effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: 2671228 4 Staff demonstrate they have the skills required to manage the child’s behaviour well. They show patience and curiosity when the child is upset or frustrated. They give them the space that they need to process their thoughts and feelings. As a result, the child is starting to self-regulate. It is hoped that over time they will become more accepting of the boundaries that are in place to keep them safe.

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

On two occasions, when expressing their feelings, the child has tried to harm themselves. Staff managed the incidents well, and their approach was nurturing and caring. They spoke with the child and gently challenged them to consider the effects of their risk-taking behaviour. As a result, no further incidents have occurred, and the child has become safer.

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

Physical intervention is used as a last resort. On one occasion, the child was held by staff to keep them safe. The incident was scrutinised by managers to ensure the use of the intervention was necessary. The child shared their views on being held, and this helped staff to understand their experience to shape and inform their future practice.

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

The child has gone missing from home on one occasion. This happened a couple of days after they moved in. Staff searched for the child, and the response to bring them home safely was well coordinated. Following the incident, the child’s safety plan was reviewed and some learning for staff was identified. Further safeguards were put in place to increase safety. The child’s social worker was happy with the actions taken, and no further incidents have occurred.

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

When the child made a complaint about a staff member, it was taken seriously and was responded to promptly. Their complaint was investigated, and the responsible individual wrote them a letter to share their findings and the outcome. Consequently, the child feels listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is currently led by a manager who is child focused. She is well supported by two deputy managers and an experienced responsible individual. The manager and responsible individual have resigned from their roles and will both leave the organisation during December. It is not yet decided who will lead the home in the future, and some staff feel unsettled by the upcoming changes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak highly of the manager. A consultant psychologist described the manager as ‘amazing’ because of her dedication to improve outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A range of monitoring tools help the manager to have good oversight of the child’s outcomes and the running of the home. The tools identify areas of strength and areas that need further development to continually improve. Inspection report for children’s home: 2671228 5 The manager is a strong advocate for the child and works hard to ensure that the child’s voice is heard. She has built effective working relationships with the child’s parent and the child’s social worker to support progress. She has also appropriately challenged partner agencies when decisions made might not be in the child’s best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive monthly supervision sessions. They say this support provides the opportunity for reflection and encourages them to continually learn and develop their practice to benefit the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has ensured that staff are skilled and competent to carry out their roles in line with the home’s statement of purpose. Staff complete a varied training programme which includes training to help them meet the child’s specific needs. Staff hold the therapeutic training they receive in high regard. One staff member said, ‘We talk through different scenarios and strategies to build positive relationships to connect with the child and make a positive difference to their life.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Due to the assurance gained at this visit, the requirements raised at the last full inspection are met. No new requirements or recommendations have been made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2671228 6

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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: 2671228 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Beacon Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 28 Phoenix Business Park, Avenue Close, Birmingham B7 4NU

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Inspector

Amy Richards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2671228 8 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 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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