Ofsted rates two children's homes ‘inadequate'

The inspectorate said a children’s home in Staffordshire, run by Tabularasa Ltd and a children’s home run by Birmingham City Council both displayed “serious failures that mean young people are not protected or their welfare safeguarded”.

A report into the inspection of the children’s home in Staffordshire, which provides three places for children and young people aged between 10 and 18 with emotional or behavioural difficulties, found that staff fail to provide individual care to protect and promote young people’s welfare.

“Young people with a history of risks such as fire-setting, self-injurious behaviour, sexualised behaviour and violence to others receive little support or guidance from staff, the home’s therapist or mental health agencies,” the report, which follows an inspection in January, states.

“There is little progress across many aspects of their lives.

The report states that some young people’s physical health and medical needs improve as a result of staff supporting hospital consultation and monitoring medication, but other young people’s emotional and psychological wellbeing continues to be poor.

“Staff and the home’s therapist have little impact on young people’s engagement with primary and mental health agencies,” the report states.

“As a result, young people with history of self-injurious behaviours and attachment disorder receive little intervention regarding significant emotional and mental health concerns.”

There were also found to be “inherent contradictions” and a “lack of priority” in how staff support young people to become independent and manage their own safety.

One young person was found to spend time alone in a pub, while another was away from the home for long periods with staff unaware of how his time was spent.

The children’s home in Birmingham, which provides 10 long-term placements and six short-break placements for children and young people with physical or learning disabilities, was criticised for issues including blocked fire exits, a leaking roof and “potentially dangerous” methods for protecting young people.

“For example, the use of raised handles and high-sided beds is common practice and is not individually risk assessed,” the report states.

“Managers, nurses and care staff say that these measures are carried out in the best interests of children and young people. However, staff do not consider alternative and less restrictive ways to keep children and young people safe.”

Inspectors added that staff are not actively encouraging children and young people to reach their full potential.

“Planned activities do not take into account children and young people’s preferences, interests, community contact and need to be active,” the report states.

“The home does not make use of the facilities it has available; such as the sensory room. On this two-day inspection children and young people were observed to be watching television for the majority of time.”

A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: “Since this inspection we have been re-inspected and been told we have made significant improvements - indeed, the rating has been upgraded to “requires improvement”.

“We have a robust action plan in place and have taken on board everything the inspector has said.”

Tabularasa Ltd have been contacted for comment.