Children's Home run by Birmingham Children’s Trust Community Interest Company in Birmingham

Inspection report for children’s home: 1273663 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

Birmingham Children’s Trust operates this home. The home has been registered since March 2018. It provides care for up to 12 children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 10 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a manager since 21 August 2024. An interim manager has been managing the home since September 2024. They have not submitted their application to 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 requires improvement to be 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: 22 October 2024

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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: 1273663 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/08/2024 Full Inadequate 20/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1273663 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children living in the home were present during the inspection and engaged positively with the inspectors.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have worked diligently to create a warm, welcoming and homely environment. They have nurtured children’s individual interests and developed dedicated spaces, including an arts and crafts room and a sensory room, which the children enjoy using. Children’s belongings are evident throughout the home, and photos are proudly displayed. Bedrooms are personalised to reflect each child’s individuality and preferences, helping to foster a sense of ownership, pride and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have developed trusting and affectionate relationships with staff and enjoy spending time with them. Throughout the inspection, inspectors observed consistently warm and nurturing interactions. The quality of care provided is high, contributing to children feeling valued, settled and emotionally secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a thorough understanding of the children’s health needs. All children have detailed and individualised health plans that provide clear guidance to ensure effective support. Children attend all routine health appointments, and staff work collaboratively with specialist agencies to secure the necessary care. For one child whose health needs have recently changed significantly, the manager has responded proactively by ensuring that staff have the relevant training and knowledge to meet those needs safely and competently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are engaging in education that is tailored to their individual needs. They have excellent attendance and are making sustained progress across all areas of learning. Staff maintain strong communication with education providers and have a clear understanding of each child’s educational journey.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported effectively to communicate using methods that meet their individual needs. Communication tools such as Picture Exchange Communication System and Makaton are embedded in both the home and staff practice. As a result, some children have made notable improvements in their speech and expressive abilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Opportunities for leisure and enrichment, both within and outside the home, have greatly improved. Children now benefit from a wide range of experiences aligned with their interests, including holidays to the seaside, concerts and visits to the theatre and cinema. One child proudly showed the inspectors merchandise from a recent theatre trip. Staff produce well-crafted photo books that capture these experiences and provide children with valued visual memories. Inspection report for children’s home: 1273663 4 Staff promote and support meaningful family time. Parents and extended family members are welcomed into the home and speak positively about the care their children receive. One parent commented, ‘The home is the best place in the world, and we’re so happy [name of child] is here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Transitions from the home are managed with great care and sensitivity. When children move on, staff go above and beyond to ensure that endings are positive and well planned. For one child, the staff team was heavily involved in each stage of the transition, helping the child visit and settle into their new home, develop relationships with new carers and personalise their space. Children’s time at the home is meaningfully celebrated, and contact often continues after they leave. This exceptional level of support minimises anxiety and helps children experience a sense of continuity and reassurance during periods of change.

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

Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Risk assessments and behaviour management plans are clear, individualised and reviewed regularly. Staff are confident in their safeguarding roles and responsibilities, and as a result, the number of incidents within the home has reduced. For one child, effective support has helped them to understand and safely manage difficult emotions.

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

The positive relationships between children and staff contribute to the infrequent use of physical intervention. Staff are skilled in using de-escalation techniques, which indicates that behaviour support strategies are effective. When physical interventions do occur, they are proportionate and used only to maintain the safety of children and staff. Leaders and managers review such incidents thoroughly to reduce future use.

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

Allegations are handled promptly and appropriately. Clear procedures are followed to protect children, and the manager works closely with safeguarding agencies. Concerns about children’s welfare are notified to Ofsted and demonstrate that safeguarding action is taken when required.

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

Since the last inspection, there have been no missing-from-home incidents involving children currently living in the home. Nonetheless, staff are familiar with the home’s protocols and are prepared to support children to return safely should such situations arise.

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

Medication arrangements are generally safe and well managed. Weekly audits are completed and detailed records are maintained for the administration of medication. Since the last inspection, there has been one medication error. This did not negatively affect the child, and the manager conducted a thorough investigation. Lessons were identified and acted on to prevent recurrence

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

Safer recruitment processes are followed to minimise the risk of unsuitable individuals working with children. The manager also oversees agency recruitment files to ensure they meet the home’s standards. Inspection report for children’s home: 1273663 5 The manager has taken robust action to address all recommendations from a recent fire safety report. All fire doors have been replaced, and weekly fire safety checks are undertaken by staff. These measures contribute to ensuring a safe environment for children.

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good

The registered manager post has been vacant since August 2024. A manager has been appointed; however, they have not submitted their application to register with Ofsted within the required timescales. As a result, the judgement for leadership and management is ‘requires improvement’. In addition, there has been a delay in the responsible individual submitting their registration application to Ofsted.

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good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. They have a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. Their vision for the home is well defined, and they are committed to ensuring continuity of care for the children.

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good

Effective monitoring systems are in place. These provide the manager with detailed oversight of the care and support children receive. Where areas for improvement have been identified, appropriate changes to practice have been implemented.

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good

Staff report that they enjoy working at the home. They speak about the children with warmth and enthusiasm and are committed to creating an environment in which children can thrive. Staff feel valued by the manager and recognise her dedication to the home and the support she offers.

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good

Staff are suitably trained and qualified. Training and development opportunities are targeted to ensure that staff are equipped to meet the individual needs of the children in their care. Managers and staff remain informed about current good practice in their specialist areas. For example, following a new diagnosis for one child, the manager sourced appropriate training and is working collaboratively with the school to implement effective strategies tailored to the child’s needs.

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good

Supervision and team meetings take place regularly and are used well to encourage reflection, share knowledge and enhance consistency in care practices. Staff value these opportunities to collaborate and strengthen their skills.

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good

Feedback from external professionals is positive. Social workers describe good communication with the staff team.

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good

Leaders and managers have addressed all the requirements from the previous inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1273663 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: 1273663 7

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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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Inspectors

Lydia Isaac, Social Care Inspector Marianne Grandfield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1273663 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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