Children's home run by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2786471 1 Registered provider: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is operated by the local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who experience social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The home was registered on 31 May 2024. At the time of the inspection the homes manager was absent, and they have recently resigned.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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'. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2786471 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of the inspection 2 children were living at the home. One child was seen and spoken to.

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Findings from the inspection

Both children like living in the home and are making good progress. Staff have formed positive relationships with both children. They speak about them with fondness, affection and with a sense of pride. Children feel valued and wanted.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment is safe, clean, and well presented. The décor is modern but lacks a child friendly feel and some of the signage in the home is institutional. Leaders and managers have plans to re-decorate and refurbish the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have personalised bedrooms. There are photos of children and staff displayed around the home. This provides them with a sense of belonging and acceptance. Overall, the home provides children with a comfortable and pleasant place to live.

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Findings from the inspection

Children experience stability. One child experienced at least ten moves before they moved in. Living at this home is the longest period of stability they have ever experienced. They call the home their 'forever home'.

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Findings from the inspection

Both children attend school and are making good progress from their starting points. One child had missed much of their primary education. Their teacher said they are doing well given the gaps. The manager and staff have advocated for the other child to return to school after a period of exclusion. This child has recently returned to attending school full-time.

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Findings from the inspection

Both children have good routines and boundaries. One child has significantly reduced their use of electronic devices. This has enabled them to settle and enjoy other activities in and outside of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk assessments and children's care plans detail their needs and risks. They provide staff with guidance to follow to keep children safe. Staff take necessary steps to ensure children's safety. However, some risks are not considered well enough. Neither are the strategies to mitigate them. One child's teacher said that their sexualised behaviour was their 'main concern'. However, it is not recorded in the child's care plan or risk assessment at home. Risk assessments do not detail the rationale for reduced risks. For example, one child's risk of criminal exploitation has reduced to low, but it is unclear why.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff follow detailed guidance when responding to children when they are angry or upset. They recognise and identify triggers and respond overall with empathy and Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2786471 3 sensitivity. Staff are now more able to help children calm down sooner when they are unsettled. Children are being helped to develop safer strategies to understand and manage their emotions. One child has a self soothe box of items they use to help them manage difficult feelings. They now recognise when they need to use them. As a result, incidents in the home have significantly decreased.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have detailed safety plans for when they spend time in the community. Staff remain in touch with them and transport them safely to see their friends. Staff are curious and get to know children's friends to ensure that they are safe. Children have reasonable curfews which are in line with their age and development.

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Findings from the inspection

Records of incidents are of excellent quality. Physical intervention is as a last resort and to keep children and staff safe. Models of reflection underpin de-briefs between managers and staff. This helps staff to reflect on and improve their practice. Consultation with children after incidents is patient and sensitive. Their feelings are well considered. However, one incident involving a physical intervention did not have management oversight.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff provide children with various ways to express their feelings. In particular their experiences living in the home. This includes external advocates and an online app. Managers use children's views when evaluating children’s care and experiences.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have adequate monitoring systems in place. They take appropriate action to address complaints or issues of concern. However, on one occasion they did not notify Ofsted about an allegation against the manager.

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Findings from the inspection

3 out of 4 requirements made at the last full inspection are met. As a result of this visit 3 recommendations have been issued. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2786471 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/10/2024 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2786471 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the 'Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards'. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child's relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(i)(v)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children's risk assessments contain accurate and up-to-date information about known risks. These assessments must include clear, practical guidance for staff to follow in order to keep children safe and respond effectively to their individual needs.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 27 March 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the children's home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children. ('Guide to the Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2786471 6 Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)  In particular, the registered person must ensure that all serious events are notified to Ofsted and all other relevant professionals. They must ensure that they provide the full detail of these events in a timely manner. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 63, paragraph 14.10)  The registered person should ensure that there is management oversight of a physical intervention ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 46, paragraph 9.36) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2786471 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Council House, Manor Square, Solihull B91 3QB

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Mr Cameron Bradley-King

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Inspector

Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2786471 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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