Children's Home run by Care 4 Good Ltd in Sandwell

Inspection report for children’s home: 2774759 1 Registered provider: Care 4 Good 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

A private company owns this home. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

A manager has been newly appointed and is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2774759 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the home’s first inspection, following the appointment of a new manager. Currently, one child resides in the home. Their transition was managed effectively, with careful consideration given to their needs. No other children have moved in or out since their arrival.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made significant progress, supported by the care and attention provided by staff. Staff demonstrate a thorough understanding of the child’s needs and foster meaningful, positive relationships. Their interactions are consistently calm and sincere. They recognise the child’s starting points and celebrate their progress and achievements. Staff actively support the child’s hobbies, taking a keen interest in their activities, which helps them feel valued and considered.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health needs are well supported. Staff employ creative approaches to encourage attendance at medical appointments. Managers advocate on their behalf, leading to the completion of a health assessment. The child has access to therapeutic support from both internal and external therapists, which promotes their emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff have challenged agencies in response to delays in securing a suitable education plan. As a result, the child is now enrolled in formal education. Staff employ innovative strategies, including incentives, to encourage engagement. Since beginning their education, the child has maintained good attendance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s views are regularly gathered through meaningful conversations recorded as ‘chat abouts’. Staff adopt a sensitive approach, offering reassurance when discussing difficult topics. This enables the child to feel respected and contribute to their daily life within the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff establish constructive relationships with external agencies. Feedback from professionals has been consistently positive, highlighting the quality of staff support and communication. Professionals acknowledge the efforts made by staff to develop a thorough understanding of the child’s needs, which has supported their progression.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a calm and welcoming environment. It is beautifully decorated and well maintained, with the child influencing the design. Their interests are reflected throughout the home, and their bedroom is furnished in accordance with their personal style, helping them to feel that this is their home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2774759 3

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

Physical intervention is only used as a last resort. Staff rely on their strong relationships with the child to prevent the need for restraint. Boundaries are introduced in a playful manner, and diversion techniques are employed effectively to prevent incidents. As a result, both the frequency and severity of incidents have decreased. All incidents are recorded in detail, ensuring transparency and accuracy.

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

Risk assessments and safety plans are regularly reviewed to reflect the child’s evolving needs, with updates made as new requirements emerge. The ‘life journey’ plan provides a comprehensive overview of all relevant information within a single document. Staff are well acquainted with this plan and use it to maintain consistent care and support for the child.

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

Negative consequences are rarely used. Instead, staff adopt a restorative approach that prioritises repairing harm caused by incidents. The child participates in this process alongside staff, strengthening their relationships and promoting positive change.

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

Staff maintain a safe and secure living environment for the child. Regular environmental checks are conducted to ensure compliance with safety standards. Medication is stored securely, with detailed records maintained on its administration. While medication errors are rare, managers promptly address any that occur, implementing appropriate action plans. The management team provides training and support to ensure that staff administer medication safely.

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

Staff recruitment processes prioritise safety. Any risks identified during recruitment are thoroughly reviewed by senior leaders and assessed with a clear, purposeful approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The absence of an appointed manager has posed challenges in the home’s management. During this period, the responsible individual and a manager from another home have jointly overseen operations. Despite these difficulties, staff report feeling that leadership remains consistently available and supportive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A strong child-focused ethos is embedded within the leadership and staff team. The commitment to achieving positive outcomes for the child is central to all practice and decision-making. Leaders and staff are highly motivated to ensure that the child experiences meaningful and memorable childhood moments. Managers demonstrate positive practice and lead by example through their interactions with the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders implement robust monitoring systems to evaluate the quality of care provided. Any gaps are promptly identified, challenged and addressed. Managers Inspection report for children’s home: 2774759 4 maintain a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development, using this insight to shape future practice and enhance the child’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Management oversight of incidents is thorough and well evidenced in reports. Reviews are detailed and reflective of the child’s needs, highlighting areas for improvement and strategies to prevent similar incidents from recurring. New staff undergo a comprehensive induction, supported by varied training tailored to their roles. In addition, staff receive training specific to the child’s needs. However, supervision is inconsistent and, at times, inadequately recorded. This affects staff’s ability to reflect on their practice and identify areas for development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2774759 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that there are systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 2774759 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Hamilton Road, Smethwick B67 5QE

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Inspector

Latoya Morgan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2774759 7 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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