Children's home run by Birmingham Children’s Trust Community Interest Company

Inspection report for children’s home: 1273497 1 Registered provider: Birmingham Children’s Trust Community Interest Company

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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 children’s trust. It provides residential short breaks for children with learning disabilities. Children attend for short breaks in small groups of up to seven children. There are currently 32 children accessing short breaks at this home.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an interim manager at the home who has been in post since December 2024. They have not yet applied to Ofsted to become registered.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were three children having a short break on the first day, and four different children on the second day. The inspector spent time with four children.

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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: 28 February 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 1273497 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/02/2024 Full Outstanding 06/12/2022 Full Good 28/02/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 13/04/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1273497 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy coming to the home for their short breaks and they have a good experience. Staff provide children with well-planned and high-quality care to meet their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

As part of their planning, staff speak to a child’s parent before each short break. This helps to ensure that they have all the current information to provide the best care for the children. As part of welcoming children to the home for each short break, staff prepare a welcome meeting. The format of this varies to meet the needs of each group. Within this meeting, staff share information with them about their stay and help them make choices about food and activities. This is documented in an accessible format to promote children’s understanding and participation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s progress is a key focus of their care. Children have clear targets to work towards, this is referred to as their ‘stepping stone’. This is an individualised target and is set following consultation with parents. For example, making a sandwich or tidying up after an activity. Staff are highly proactive in encouraging children to make progress and achieve their target. Staff delight in children’s progress. This journey is captured through an abundance of photos, and these are shared with children and their families

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are very nurturing towards children and, as a result, children have developed a trusting relationship with the staff. Staff approach children’s care with respect and in a way that promotes their dignity. For example, being discreet about personal care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A group of children have recently started to access short breaks at the home following the closure of another service. Children have had introductions to the home and have settled well overall. Furthermore, due to the actions of staff in getting to know children and their families, the parents are confident in entrusting the care of their children to the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand and respect children’s cultural needs. Meals are provided in line with cultural preferences. Staff also promote multi-cultural awareness. For example, staff have produced a display board explaining Ramadan using a symbol format and talked to children about the meaning of Shrove Tuesday while they enjoyed eating pancakes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is an atmosphere of enjoyment at the home, and children are encouraged to join in many celebrations. For example, to celebrate events such as Chinese New Year and the six nations tournament. Parties are held for children when they are moving on from the service. Staff embrace this and will dress up, decorate the home and be creative to provide lovely experiences for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 1273497 4 Overall, the home provides a pleasant space for children to stay for their short breaks. There are some areas in need of care and attention to improve the appearance of the home. This work has been commenced, with some areas having recently been decorated, and the manager is progressing plans to further enhance the environment.

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

Staff understand their roles in safeguarding children. They have received relevant training and safeguarding is discussed at every team meeting and staff supervision meeting. Staff work in active partnership with the local authority plans in helping and protecting children. For example, reporting any concerns and through providing additional support to families in crisis.

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

There is an organised and effective approach to managing medication at the home. Staff work in partnership with parents and health professionals to gain clear verification of children’s current prescribed medication. Staff understand how to help children to take their medication. When children need to take this covertly, managers are vigilant in ensuring that this is an agreed strategy with the prescriber. As a result, children receive medication as prescribed to sustain their health and wellbeing.

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

Staff prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children at the home. Staff communicate and work well together to provide care that keeps children safe. Staff are effective at pre-empting children’s needs. They act promptly to address these needs, and this helps children manage their emotions. For example, recognising when children may need space or distraction.

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

There are a low number of behavioural incidents at the home and overall, these are well managed by staff. However, children’s plans vary in quality and do not consistently provide staff with clear guidance or strategies to use for de-escalation. On one occasion, a minor physical intervention has been used that was not a recognised technique. The management monitoring of this has not recognised or addressed this. This could affect the quality and consistency of care children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been significant change in management at the home, with a change of both manager and responsible individual. The provider acted swiftly to appoint to these roles. This change has been considerably smooth due to the consistent leadership of the home’s senior staff team. Their in depth knowledge of children and organised approach to the running of the home has been sustained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is an experienced staff team. This is currently supported by several staff seconded from another service. Overall, staff are positive about how the teams have integrated. Staff feel well supported by leaders and managers. Recruitment is on going to fill vacancies in planning for when the seconded staff resume their alternative roles. Inspection report for children’s home: 1273497 5 Staff receive training that covers a range of topics that helps them in their roles. This includes bespoke training to meet children’s individual needs. This is delivered by specialists, for example a community nurse. Therefore, staff are competent in managing children’s health needs and care. Staff benefit from a well-planned induction, and they receive regular supervision. As a result, staff are being well supported to develop in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders thoughtfully and carefully consider the compatibility of groups of children to maximise children’s experiences and manage any potential risks. Furthermore, the support provided to families extends beyond the short breaks. For example, through stay and play sessions. This provides opportunities for parents to spend time with staff and other families in planned activities at the home. This strengthens partnership working and is a good experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been no quality-of-care review since February 2024. This is a missed opportunity to improve the quality of care and reduces the regulators ability to monitor the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1273497 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

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”).

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. 26 June 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 1273497 7 (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(3)(4)(a)(b) and (5))

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that accurate records of restraint are kept that enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending children’s plans and practice to ensure that it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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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: 1273497 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Birmingham Children’s Trust Community Interest Company

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Avenue Road, Aston, Birmingham B6 4DU

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Inspector

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1273497 9 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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