Children's home run by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in Walsall

Inspection report for children's home: SC063815 1 SC063815 Registered provider: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

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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 operated by a local authority. The home provides care for up to four children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2014 and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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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: 20 November 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC063815 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/11/2023 Full Good 25/01/2023 Full Good 26/10/2021 Full Outstanding 27/02/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC063815 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There were four children living at the home at the time of the inspection. No children have moved out and one child has moved in since the last inspection. Child-focused and thoughtful planning took place to ensure the child had a positive experience of moving in. As a result, the child was eager to move into their new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to pursue their hobbies and interests. Some children have horse- riding lessons, and one child is part of a basketball club. This gives children good opportunities to develop and learn new skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a range of positive experiences at the home, both externally and internally. One child had their first overnight stay at a friend’s house. Before living at the home, this had not been possible due to challenges around their behaviour. However, after the child became settled in the home, the manager was able to advocate for this to happen.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager places a strong emphasis on community engagement. Children have been litter picking and raised money for charity by completing a fun run. This gives children a good opportunity to develop empathy and understanding while enjoying spending time with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and children have positive and caring relationships with one another. Staff are affectionate towards children, and this is reciprocated. One professional said that, as a result of the positive relationships that the child has at the home, they have now been able to engage in therapy. Children say that they are happy living at the home, with one saying, ‘I love it here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s relationships with one another can, at times, be volatile as they adjust to the dynamics of group living. The manager is creative in how she helps them understand the impact of their own behaviours on one another. This supports the collective growth of children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child was unhappy about a service they had received from an external professional. The manager helped this child to raise their thoughts and feelings. As a result, there has been an improvement for the child. This is one of many examples where children are encouraged to be active participants in their care. This helps children develop self- confidence and helps prepare them for future eventualities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are doing well at school and are well supported with their education by staff. This has included a manager from the home providing training to school staff to help them support the child and promote consistency across settings. One child is not in full- time education. There is a clear plan for how this will be increased, as well as an Inspection report for children's home: SC063815 4 expectation that the child completes schoolwork at home. This will help their transition back into full-time education.

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

Children are making good progress, and as a result, risk-taking behaviour is reducing. Children are educated on the consequences of their behaviour and taught about healthier strategies to express their emotions. Consequences are used at times, although these are rare. When they have been used, the manager has good oversight of them.

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

Children are supported to make complaints and raise their views and wishes. When complaints have been made, they are listened to and acted on. They are used as a learning opportunity and a chance for reflection for both staff and children. This approach not only supports children to feel valued but provides an opportunity for them to develop.

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

When children have made allegations, these have been well managed. Appropriate action is taken to safeguard children and others. Where it is appropriate, direct work is completed with children to help them understand how their actions affect others. This helps children develop empathy and contributes to them better understanding relationships.

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

There have been instances when staff have been unable to deter children from unsafe behaviours and have needed to use physical intervention. This has been a last resort in order to keep people safe. The manager has had some oversight of these incidents but has failed to review the effectiveness of physical interventions. This is a missed opportunity to assess whether improvements can be made to how staff are supporting children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced and committed to her role. She is a good role model for the staff she manages and has high aspirations for the children. She is supported by an assistant manager who is also a positive role model to their team. Staff report that they enjoy their work and feel supported by managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have a wealth of experience that assists them to undertake their role well. When new staff work at the home, they receive a thorough induction. Supervision sessions take place monthly, and staff have an annual appraisal of their work. Staff find these useful and supportive. This contributes to staff being able to provide consistent and good-quality care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is thoughtful about the impact that records have on children and, in particular, when they leave the home and may access these as adults. She ensures that records are completed sensitively and uses language that is positive for children. This helps children feel valued and held in mind. Inspection report for children's home: SC063815 5 Team meetings provide a space for staff to reflect on the care they are providing to children. Support is sought from external professionals in these meetings to help develop staff’s skills and also to embed a trauma-informed approach. The manager emphasises the importance of continuous development for the staff and provides them with the opportunities to do this. This includes using quizzes, training and feedback from children. This ensures that children are cared for by staff with good experience and skills. Inspection report for children's home: SC063815 6

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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

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)) 13 January 2025

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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: SC063815 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Chrisoula Contoyianni, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC063815 8 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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