Children's Home run by Spectrum Care & Support Services Ltd in Sandwell

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764557 1 Registered provider: Spectrum Care & Support Services Ltd

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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 provides care for up to three children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager resigned from her role four weeks before the inspection. The home is overseen by the responsible individual, who is experienced and child centred.

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Inspection date: 5 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 30 September 2024

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Inspection date: 5 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 5 March 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764557 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Approximately two weeks after the previous inspection, one child left the home, and no new children have moved in since. The child left because the staff and management were unable to meet their needs due to behaviours and risks that they lacked the necessary skills to manage. Throughout the process, the manager maintained regular communication with the local authority to secure an appropriate placement for the child. When delays occurred, the leadership team reviewed the child’s care arrangements to ensure their safety and that their needs were adequately met. The team also supported the child’s transition to family, in line with the child’s wishes, until a suitable home could be found. Following the move, staff and management stayed in contact with the family. This approach ensured ongoing support for the child and contributed to a positive experience moving on from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have reflected on the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. The admissions process has been revised to ensure that there is additional oversight before children move into the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The responsible individual developed a comprehensive training plan for the registered manager and staff. This plan includes mandatory training as well as a range of additional courses designed to equip staff with the knowledge and skills required to meet children’s individual needs. The responsible individual has also ensured that staff and managers have access to any additional training necessary to address the specific needs of children when they move into the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has introduced new monitoring systems that are proving effective. These systems ensure that there is strong oversight of the home. This thorough oversight ensures that both the care provided and the home’s operations are kept to a high standard. It also helps the manager to quickly identify concerns and implement changes to improve the quality of care and safety for children.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has appointed a new manager, who will begin their role after safer recruitment checks have been carried out. The responsible individual is actively recruiting for a deputy manager and two residential care workers. The responsible individual plans to wait until the staff team has been safely recruited and has completed mandatory training before any children move into the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is spacious and well decorated with neutral colours throughout. The sensory room is thoughtfully equipped with a variety of specialised equipment designed to engage and support children’s sensory needs. This child-centred approach to care planning ensures that the home environment is safe and promotes emotional regulation, which will help children to feel calm and settled. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764557 3 All the requirements raised at the inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764557 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764557 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Spectrum Care & Support Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Wallace House, 20 Birmingham Road, Walsall, West Midlands WS1 2LT

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Inspector

Nateisha Cardoza-Evans, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764557 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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