“children's homes in Dudley”

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC038804 1 SC038804 Registered provider: Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children’s home which provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and /or behavioural difficulties. The home’s Statement of Purpose indicates that the general age range will be between 12 and 17 years of age

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children’s home which provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home’s statement of purpose indicates that the general age range will be between 12 and 17 years of age.

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Information about this children's home

This local authority children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home’s statement of purpose indicates that the general age range will be between 12 and 17 years of age.

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Susan Butcher Interim inspection report children’s home: SC038804 3 Registered manager: Post vacant

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The registered person is to ensure that the children's home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children; it will, in most cases, be a homely, domestic environment. Children's homes must comply with the relevant health and safety legislation; however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than 'institutional' impression. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, Page 15, Paragraph 3.9)

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s experience at the home has been variable, with some improving significantly since the last inspection and others displaying challenging behaviours and having sporadic educational attendance. One young person has left the home since the last inspection; this was a successful return home following a positive Christmas contact period. Young people admitted have up to date placement plans that link well to the Looked After Children documentation. Young people are aware of their plans and are positive about being at the home. One states that ‘it’s like a really nice home, not just a house where people are coming and going all the time...it’s great to think that you are going to be here for a long time and can settle down’ Staff work well with young people, with all being involved with regular key work sessions and young people’s meetings. Young people have an input into their reviews, through either attendance or talking to the staff and social worker

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

and young people since the most recent full inspection

No young people are currently living at the home. The home has not been operational since 16 August 2017. At the provider’s request, there is a condition in place that prevents the home from admitting new young people. The provider intends to close the home by January 2018. Interim inspection report children’s home: SC038804 2

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness .

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Children should be encouraged by staff to see the home's records as 'living documents' supporting them to view and contribute to the record regularly in a way that reflects their voice (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations’, page 58, paragraph 11.19).  Staff should have the skills to respond to each child’s individual behaviour. When necessary they should manage conflict, maintain constructive dialogues and react appropriately if challenged by a child in care (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations’, page 39, paragraph 8.14).

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Good

people. There is a clear statement of purpose in place that details the aims and objectives of the home. This document emphasises the importance of effective admission processes, with the use of impact assessments as key to the decision-making process. Despite identifying concerns regarding the placement of one young person, the registered manager has unfortunately been hampered by a lack of senior management support around this admission. Consequently, the placement was made despite the detrimental impact to existing residents. This practice is contrary to the home’s vision, that all children in the care of the home should have the opportunity to achieve the best possible life chances. Robust recruitment and vetting processes are in place. Applicants undergo appropriate checks including criminal history and employment history checks. This reduces the possibility of young people being harmed by those in positions of trust.

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets 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 with the given timescales.

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets 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.

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets 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 with the given timescales.

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

regarding their wishes. Review minutes show that this involvement has an impact on decisions made. One young person has increased in their independence skills and is preparing to leave the home. Staff are very supportive of this move and are working together with other professionals to ensure the move is positive. All young people have educational placements; some have increased in their attendance and their academic abilities have improved. One young person was enthusiastic about getting rewarded for attending, saying that ‘it’s a bit boring but it’s good that I am actually going.’ Others have decreased in their attendance. Staff encourage them getting up for school. All have personal education plans and staff work well to find the most appropriate placements to meet their needs. Contact arrangements are in place from the point of their admission. Staff ensure that young people’s families are up to date with their child’s development where

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

Dudley · DY8 2AA · Part of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of this inspection, there were three young people living at the home. Since the last inspection, four young people have been discharged from the home.