Children's home run by Bryn Melyn Care Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report children's home: SC372611 1 SC372611 Registered provider: Bryn Melyn Care Limited

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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 part of a private organisation. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2022. She holds a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare.

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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 children's home: SC372611 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/05/2024 Full Good 17/05/2023 Full Good 05/07/2022 Full Good 18/01/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children's home: SC372611 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home was closed for an extended period to undergo renovation and to recruit a full staff team. Since the last inspection, two children have moved out, and one child has been welcomed into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Plans for moving children in and out of the home have varied. When the current child moved in, the plans were tailored to support their individual needs. A prolonged transition allowed the child to visit the home and meet the staff beforehand. In ‑ depth impact assessments were completed to ensure staff were able to provide a safe environment. Actions to support the child’s known risks are detailed throughout their plans, giving staff clear guidance to maintain effective safeguarding practice. This thorough planning contributed to the child settling well into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

For one child whose placement ended, the move became difficult and was brought forward in an unplanned way. Despite the child having lived in the home for a long period, staff did not prepare a record of their journey, nor did they maintain communication, despite previously agreeing to do so. This has the potential to reinforce feelings of rejection and abandonment. Although the registered manager is reflective about this period, a formal learning exercise has not taken place to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Meaningful relationships with staff contribute to the child enjoying life in the home. Staff spend valuable time getting to know the child and understanding their interests, engaging in activities such as golf and pool. Staff share the child’s passion for football and travel with them around the country to watch games of their favourite teams. The child is happy and feels comfortable approaching staff openly when seeking support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff strongly advocate for the child’s education. This support provides the child with opportunities to maximise their academic potential, increasing future prospects and career options. The child told the inspector that the manager helped them explore future aspirations. As a result, the child has completed a taster day at a local college and is working towards qualifications that will enable them to progress to higher education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the child’s health history and needs. When the child expresses anxiety about their health, staff offer reassurance and seek medical attention to provide clarity. Staff promptly follow medical advice to ensure the child remains healthy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A full refurbishment of the home has improved living conditions significantly. The child feels comfortable in their environment, and their bedroom is arranged in line with their personal preferences. When issues occur, repairs are completed without delay to maintain a safe and reliable living environment. Inspection report children's home: SC372611 4

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

While the registered manager had a planned period of leave, the home experienced challenges relating to high staff turnover and changes in management. These changes caused instability and heightened children’s anxieties, which affected staff responses to children’s vulnerabilities. One child was not adequately supported in relation to exploitation concerns, which contributed to escalating risks in the community. Safety measures within the home did not consistently prevent the child from leaving without permission. Window restrictors were repeatedly broken, and windows were used as an exit route. During missing ‑ from ‑ home incidents, staff followed protocol and searched high ‑ risk areas, which on occasions enabled them to return the child home safely. Since the home has reopened, staff have demonstrated an improved understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and the expectations of their roles.

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

Staff work closely with the clinical team and implement advice to manage presenting risks associated with the child. In addition to mandatory training, staff complete learning that is specific to the child’s individual needs. For example, they have undertaken training in autism and exploitation. This informs staff practice and helps to ensure their responses are effective.

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

Physical interventions have not been used recently, and restrictive practice is only implemented as a last resort. Staff use their positive relationships with the child to de ‑ escalate situations. On occasion, staff have used unapproved holds in an immediate response to keep the child safe and prevent further harm. Although reports include details of these incidents, they lack sufficient analysis. Debriefs with the child are not always recorded, and staff debriefs have sometimes been delayed. This results in the child’s voice not being consistently captured and limits opportunities for timely review and learning.

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

Staff are recruited safely. Pre ‑ employment checks are thorough and ensure that only suitable adults are employed to work in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the registered manager has returned, they have restored stability within the home, helping the child to feel secure. The manager is qualified and experienced, and their approach is child ‑ centred, with a clear focus on children making positive progress. They are dedicated to keeping the child safe and implement clear boundaries, contributing to predictable and consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have taken significant steps to address previous shortfalls. The home now benefits from a stable staff team, which has minimised the need for agency staff. This provides the child with consistency and supports the development of trusted relationships with adults. Inspection report children's home: SC372611 5 Managers and leaders have a range of systems to oversee the quality of care in the home. However, the review and development of some actions are sometimes delayed. For example, a mobile phone agreement and independence plan have not yet been created, despite being on the child’s agenda for some time. In another instance, staff did not act promptly to arrange for the child to attend a youth club, even though a trial session had been agreed two months earlier. These delays hinder the child’s progression and preparation for independent living.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision is held regularly and evidences appropriate challenge of poor practice. When safeguarding protocol was not followed in relation to reporting a concern, managers addressed this with both the individual and the wider team to strengthen safeguarding processes. Team meetings take place frequently and place the child at the centre of discussions. Relevant actions are recorded and followed up, supporting staff development. The manager encourages reflective practice to help staff improve outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from the child’s family is positive and highlights the quality of care provided. The registered manager’s collaborative working is recognised as a contributing factor to the child’s progress in education. Inspection report children's home: SC372611 6

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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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager progressing plans and actions for the child in a timely manner. In addition the manager must ensure there is sufficient learning following challenges and negative experiences for children. 20 February 2026

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and 20 February 2026 Inspection report children's home: SC372611 7 plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child's placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)(2)(b)(i)(ii) and (iii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to children having positive moving out experiences. The registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child's behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that 20 February 2026 Inspection report children's home: SC372611 8 they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii) and (c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager adequately reviewing physical interventions and debrief taking place within the timescales stated.

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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 children's home: SC372611 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bryn Melyn Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Keys Group, Maybrook House, Third Floor, Queensway, Halesowen B63 4AH

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Inspector

Latoya Morgan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC372611 10 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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