Children's Home run by Accalia Care Services Ltd in Birmingham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2586947 1 Registered provider: Accalia Care Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a suitably experienced and qualified registered manager.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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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 outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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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: 2586947 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/06/2024 Full Good 13/06/2023 Full Good 28/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/08/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2586947 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, four children have moved into the home and five have moved out. At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home, having moved in six months earlier. Transitions into and out of the home have generally been well planned. On occasions where this has not been the case, it has been due to extenuating circumstances. In such instances, staff have made concerted efforts to help children adjust and settle effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children’s understanding of personal hygiene and healthy lifestyles. They support children in attending health appointments, and key-work sessions provide opportunities to explore topics such as healthy eating, sexual health, and physical development. These sessions help children to make informed decisions about their well- being and prepare them for greater independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child currently living in the home has made significant progress since their arrival. Before moving in, the child had been out of education for over two years. In response, staff implemented a bespoke timetable of learning activities in the home. They collaborated with education professionals to secure a tutor and initiate a review of the child’s education, health and care plan. Consequently, they completed the review and are currently seeking an appropriate education placement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively encourage children’s participation through various activities. Regular residents’ meetings provide a forum for children to contribute to decisions about aspects of daily life, including menu planning, outings, and changes in the home, such as redecoration. The organisation also produces a quarterly newsletter that celebrates children’s achievements and highlights activities they have enjoyed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children in participating in activities that align with their individual interests and provide them with enjoyment. Staff demonstrate creativity and persistence in identifying opportunities that align with children’s hobbies. For example, the child currently living in the home has a strong interest in the police. Staff have facilitated visits to a police museum, arranged meetings with local officers, and encouraged the child to join a local group to further explore this interest.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a welcoming environment. Staff have made a concerted effort to enhance the outdoor space, creating an area that children can enjoy. Plans are underway to convert a summerhouse into a gym, following a suggestion made by the child. However, some communal areas, particularly hallways and stairwells, require redecoration due to visible wear and tear. During the inspection, the child’s bedroom was being redecorated in line with their personal preferences and design choices. Inspection report for children’s home: 2586947 4

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

Relationships between staff and children are positive and nurturing, and this contributes to a protective and supportive environment. The child told the inspector that they enjoy living in the home and feel confident in approaching staff if they have any concerns.

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

Physical restraint is used only when necessary to ensure the safety of children and staff. When such incidents occur, children are consistently offered a debrief within an appropriate time frame. Records of these incidents are detailed and of a good standard, demonstrating reflective practice and accountability.

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

Staff respond promptly and effectively when children go missing. They consistently follow risk assessments and individual protocols. On return, children are treated with sensitivity and respect, and staff take proactive steps to understand and mitigate any underlying risks. For example, one child explained that they had gone missing to meet the police. In response, staff arranged positive and structured opportunities for the child to engage with police officers. This led to a significant decrease in the number of missing-from-home incidents for this child.

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

Recruitment practices are safe and robust. Staff working in the home are appropriately qualified and vetted. Allegations against staff are managed in accordance with safeguarding procedures, and relevant agencies are notified without delay. Where appropriate, children are informed of the outcomes of investigations through a letter from the manager, ensuring transparency and closure.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is competent and ambitious and demonstrates a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children. They hold high expectations and model these consistently, fostering a culture of aspiration and care. Staff are encouraged to share these expectations, contributing to a cohesive and child-focused team ethos. The home recently received a company award in recognition of the exceptional support provided to children transitioning out of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff training is delivered in line with the home’s statement of purpose. A comprehensive programme of learning ensures that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of the children in their care. When specific training needs are identified, these are addressed promptly. For example, face-to-face training on self-harm was recently delivered to enhance staff’s understanding and confidence in supporting children who are experiencing this issue.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Monitoring and auditing processes are robust and provide the manager with excellent oversight of the home’s operations. The manager demonstrates a clear understanding of their own strengths and areas for development. Reflective practice is used effectively to support continuous improvement. For instance, the manager identified a tendency to retain tasks rather than delegate and has taken steps to address this by working closely with senior staff to gradually increase shared responsibilities. Inspection report for children’s home: 2586947 5 Staff report high levels of job satisfaction and feel well supported in their roles. Regular team meetings are well attended and provide a valuable forum for discussing safeguarding, children’s needs, and the day-to-day running of the home. Staff say that these meetings are instrumental in fostering team cohesion and enabling reflective discussions about how challenging situations have been managed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Partnerships with external agencies are strong. Professionals consistently report that staff communicate effectively and share information in a timely and appropriate manner. Staff are recognised for their nurturing approach and their in-depth understanding of the children’s individual needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2586947 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets children’s needs. In most cases, children’s homes are homely, domestic environments. This specifically relates to ensuring that the communal hallway, corridor and stairwell areas are well maintained. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2586947 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Accalia Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 4a, Space Station Warstock Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 4ST

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Leaford Williams

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Inspector

Becky Rutter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2586947 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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