Walsall children's home rated 'inadequate' after latest Ofsted inspection

A report into the Walsall home states that children’s safety and well-being is compromised, while staff ‘do not encourage young people to take responsibility for their unacceptable actions or behaviours'.

Management at the home, which is operated by Walsall Council, was also criticised, with inspectors claiming that managers 'do not ensure staff work together as a team', which it is claimed affects the safety of children.

Walsall Council declined to give the exact location of the home involved because of concerns for those living there.

The home provides care and accommodation for up to seven young people who have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

It was inspected on October 17 and 18, before being given the rating of inadequate in terms of overall experiences of residents, protection and effectiveness and leadership.

The Ofsted report reads: "Young people's day-to-day experience is inadequate.

"This is because leaders, managers and staff do not continually promote young people's safety or protect them from harm.

"Staff fail to implement young people's care plans.

"For example, the care plan for one young person states that staff will conduct regular one-to-one sessions to address risky behaviours such as criminal damage, consuming alcohol and drug misuse.

"Staff do not conduct these sessions and consequently, young people do not receive the support that they need to promote their development."

Another issue at the home was that staff did not 'effectively challenge' residents who were known to be consuming drugs and alcohol.

The report read: "Although staff support young people to arrange and attend primary healthcare appointments, they do not consistently encourage them to maintain a healthy life-style.

"Staff are aware that some young people consume alcohol and misuse drugs on a regular basis, but they do not effectively challenge this behaviour."

Councillor Aftab Nawaz, portfolio holder for children’s services and education at Walsall Council said: “Of the five children’s homes we have, one is rated as outstanding and three are rated as good.

"We have a robust action plan in place to deliver improvements to this home and are determined to ensure all children in our care get the best possible start in life.”