Children's home run by Motivations Activity Projects Ltd in Birmingham

Inspection report for children's home: SC470284 1 SC470284 Registered provider: Motivations Activity Projects 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

The home is owned by a private provider and offers care for up to 3 children with social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living in the home. All were present during the inspection and spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2025.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC470284 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2025 Full Good 05/09/2023 Full Outstanding 04/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC470284 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 2 children have moved into the home and 2 have moved out. One child is making good progress, particularly in education. Another child was admitted in an emergency; however, managers quickly recognised that they could not meet the child's complex needs. Following significant incidents and agreement with the local authority, the child moved to a more suitable setting. Leaders have reflected on this experience and taken steps to strengthen decision ‑ making processes for future emergency admissions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has lived in the home for 3 years, giving them stability and enabling strong, trusting relationships with staff to develop. They continue to make good educational progress and are supported to work towards their future goals. When setbacks occur, plans are adjusted, and staff work collaboratively with education professionals to maintain momentum. All of the children said they enjoy living at the home. One parent commented, 'I am so proud of [child's name] and the massive leap in her progress. I am overwhelmed with how well she is doing. My mind is at rest.'

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family time is promoted well. Staff travel with a child to visit a parent who lives a long distance away. The home contributes to child ‑ led activities, ensuring that contact remains regular, positive and meaningful.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop independence skills through age ‑ appropriate household tasks. One child who is preparing to leave care has an up ‑ to ‑ date pathway plan, which is reviewed regularly with the local authority. A parent said that their child has a positive relationship with all staff, feels very happy at the home and that staff meet her needs very well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious, welcoming and well organised. Children's bedrooms are personalised, and there are designated spaces for studying, arts and play. Children engage in a wide range of activities, including ice skating, cycling, sea cadets and swimming. A personalised reward system linked to individual goals supports motivation and helps children work towards their achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff build positive relationships with children and listen to their views, wishes and feelings. Each child has a 'My Views and Wishes' folder that aligns with key plans. These documents are child friendly, comprehensive and tailored to the individual. Children's meetings take place every Sunday and are well attended. Children participate actively and have regular opportunities to express their preferences and raise issues that matter to them.

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

Staff respond promptly when children experience high levels of distress, and ensure that they have access to specialist therapeutic and medical services. Following a child's Inspection report for children's home: SC470284 4 bereavement, managers arranged external counselling, and staff completed bereavement training to improve their understanding and ability to support the child's emotional needs.

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

Physical restraint is only used only when necessary and proportionate. Conversations with staff and children help them to reflect on incidents and identify any learning. Complaints made by children are taken seriously, investigated promptly by managers and followed up with restorative work. Managers address concerns quickly through supervision and consider safeguarding thresholds on a case ‑ by ‑ case basis.

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

One child experienced several episodes of going missing from home during this inspection period. Staff and managers responded appropriately, balancing safety with age ‑ appropriate independence by advocating for carefully extended free time. This approach has resulted in fewer missing-from-home incidents and has helped the child to feel included in decisions that affect them as they mature and move towards adulthood.

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

Medication is stored and monitored safely. When errors occur, this is managed well and responded to appropriately. Managers address any errors in supervision to reinforce expectations and provide refresher medication training for all staff.

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

Staff use restorative consequences only when necessary, helping children to learn from their actions through restorative tasks aligned with the home's statement of purpose. Managers review this regularly to ensure that the approach remains effective and meaningful for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and staff take a highly reflective, trauma ‑ informed approach, exploring the underlying causes of children's behaviours. This ensures that responses are tailored to each child's individual needs and experiences, helping them to feel understood, supported and safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision and appraisals are regular, structured and reflective. Single ‑ issue supervision is used effectively to review learning from incidents or complaints. Annual appraisals identify staff's strengths and areas for development, which are discussed and agreed with staff. Leadership promotes an ambitious culture, with a strong focus on developing and progressing staff to reach their full potential.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has a full team of suitably trained staff and experiences low staff turnover. This provides children with the stability needed to form consistent, familiar and trusting relationships with the adults who care for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is committed to staff development and has produced new tools and resources to strengthen practice. Staff spoke positively about leadership, highlighting managers' commitment, approachability and flexibility.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders maintain effective oversight of the home, considering both internal and external scrutiny and acting on recommendations in the best interests of children. Managers make Inspection report for children's home: SC470284 5 timely referrals for independent advocacy to ensure that children's views are represented during key care ‑ planning decisions and that their rights are respected.

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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: SC470284 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Motivations Activity Projects Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: St Matthews Business Centre, Duddeston Manor Road, Birmingham B7 4LZ

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Inspector

Gill Rudkin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC470284 7 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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