Children's home run by Kids

Inspection report for children’s home: SC454707 1 SC454707 Registered provider: Kids Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a charity and offers short-break care for up to seven children who experience social and emotional difficulties and have physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were staying at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager was not present during this inspection.

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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

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: SC454707 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/07/2024 Full Inadequate 05/12/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC454707 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, staff have strengthened their relationships with parents, schools and the local authority. As a result, staff have an improved understanding of children’s needs, behaviours and communication preferences. They have regular meetings with parents to discuss children’s progress, targets and to obtain their views and feedback on children’s stays.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and staff have positive relationships because staff are nurturing and attentive. Children are happy, relaxed and comfortable in the presence of staff. They enjoy participating in activities such as arts and crafts, discos in the sensory room, and playing on the swings. Staff thoughtfully prepare for children’s visits by considering their sensory needs and staffing ratios, ensuring that they have a smooth transition into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use various alternative communication methods, such as communication boards and sign language, to capture children’s views. Staff encourage children’s speech by asking them questions and reading them books. Staff are conscious that some children communicate with their body language, and they have a good understanding of their nonverbal cues. Staff respond to children in a timely manner, showing them that they have been heard.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children make progress in accordance with their plans. For example, staff encourage one child to go out for walks, as this is important for his physical development. They assist another child in chopping food, which encourages them to eat safely. Staff support children in learning independence skills, such as washing up dishes and sweeping the floor.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and staff have reflective conversations about whether they can meet the needs of children who attend the home. They acknowledge that some children require different support, and they share their views with the local authority. They also support older children in transitioning to adult services by sharing information with staff at their new homes and inviting them to visit children during their short breaks.

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

The staff have participated in extensive training and received support to critically reflect on their decision-making and practice. They demonstrate an improved understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities towards children, and they know how to escalate concerns internally and externally to the local authority. Staff also have an improved understanding of restraint and how to record it appropriately.

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

There have been 11 incidents of restraint since the last full inspection. When restraint has been used, it has been necessary and proportionate. As staff have an improved ability to communicate with children, incidents are short-lived. Additionally, staff work Inspection report for children’s home: SC454707 4 collaboratively during incidents, using appropriate strategies, such as distraction and redirection, helping children to settle.

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

On the rare occasions that children have physical altercations with each other, staff respond swiftly. They calmly intervene and have individual chats with children, reiterating boundaries while taking account of their comprehension levels. Following incidents, staff contact parents to make them aware of any new and unusual behaviours. This allows parents to share their views and agree on strategies with staff.

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

Leaders respond appropriately when children make allegations against staff; they consult the local authority designated officer and follow guidance. Leaders have increased their oversight of complaints and communicate directly with parents, offering them reassurance and keeping them updated with outcomes. There have been no complaints since March 2025.

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

Currently, leaders do not verify the reasons why new staff have left their previous employment with vulnerable adults or children as required by the regulations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have been on an improvement journey since the last full inspection in October 2024. They have experienced unexpected challenges. However, they have persevered and revised plans to deliver good-quality care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has been absent since April 2025. Leaders have ensured that interim management arrangements are suitable and robust. Leaders have worked collaboratively with the local authority to devise a priority system that takes account of children’s needs and the home’s capacity. Leaders have shown willingness to challenge the local authority if they do not agree with its suggestions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

At times, leaders have been required to make difficult decisions, such as cancelling short breaks and closing the home. However, they have acted in the children’s best interests. They are committed to ensuring that children have positive visits and are supported in making progress and staying safe. Leaders have communicated closure messages to parents; however, some parents would have liked more information relating to timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have supported staff in developing their knowledge, skills and practice through training and supervision and by sharing feedback with them. They have also upskilled senior staff by allocating them specialised roles that recognise their strengths. Staff are happier and confident because they feel heard and valued by leaders. When leaders identify shortfalls in practice, they talk with staff about the changes they expect to see moving forward. Inspection report for children’s home: SC454707 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that references are verbally verified to determine whether candidates have been honest about their previous experiences working with children and vulnerable adults. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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: SC454707 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 249 Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1EA

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Inspector

Tara Webb, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC454707 7 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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