Children's Home run by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council in St Helens

Unique reference number SC063550 Inspection date 09/02/2011 Inspector Sonya Robinson Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 08/11/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children’s Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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About this inspection

This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated within a residential development close to a town centre. The home is a large detached property. The accommodation is for up to six young people from the ages of 11 years to 17 years, who have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Accommodation is provided over two floors. The ground floor includes a kitchen, two lounges, a dining room, a laundry room, toilet shower room and an office. Young people have their own rooms which are located on the upper floor. The home is close to local shops, transport links and community resources.

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Brief description of the service

Young people were attending their educational placements during this inspection although the inspector managed to speak briefly with one young person.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

During this interim unannounced inspection the home's response to the actions and recommendations made at the inspection in November 2010 were assessed. In addition, staying safe was also examined and continues to be judged as good.

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Summary

The young people who live at this home achieve good outcomes from their placement. Staff provide a safe and nurturing environment, and young people are given a range of opportunities to develop independence.

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Summary

The home has made good progress since the last inspection and as result of this interim inspection there are no actions or recommendations arising.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection one action and two recommendations were made. The action was to ensure that the children's guide accurately describes what the home sets out to do for the young people and includes the address and telephone number of Ofsted. This has been completed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The two recommendations were regarding obtaining parental responsibility for medical and first aid treatment for young people and that one-to-one supervision for staff is maintained in accordance with the standards, that is, fortnightly for new staff and monthly for other staff. Both of these recommendations have been implemented.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people’s privacy is promoted. They have single bedrooms with their own keys. The accommodation provides space where young people can relax easily and spend time alone when they wish. Staff respect young people's privacy that is consistent with good parenting and the need to protect young people. Confidential information is held securely in the office.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home makes sure that young people have access to information about their rights and how to deal with their concerns through the complaints procedure. Staff encourage young people to talk to them if they are unhappy or worried about anything. Staff are aware of the potential for bullying. They provide young people with a good level of supervision and are vigilant in identifying any problems. This ensures that young people are clear that bullying is not acceptable and that staff act to address any problems.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people’s welfare is actively promoted and safeguarded. There are no ongoing safeguarding issues. There are systems in place to safeguard young people, and staff work effectively with relevant external agencies. Staff fully understand about their roles and responsibilities to promote and safeguard young people’s welfare. They are familiar with the home’s safeguarding policies and are suitably trained in child protection. Staff and young people also have access to an independent visitor to the home, in order that safeguarding can be robust.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff provide young people with good advice about personal safety and work effectively with young people. There are few instances noted of young people going missing from care. The home keeps accurate written records of these and any other serious events, along with the action taken by staff to protect young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff at the home encourage young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Young people know what standards of behaviour are expected and this has resulted in young people demonstrating an increasingly mature and responsible approach to how they conduct themselves. The use of sanctions is minimal with the culture in the home focusing on encouraging positive behaviour through rewards and incentives. Those that are used are proportionate, for example, withholding a portion of young person's pocket money for minor property damage. Physical intervention is seen as a last resort and as such is not a regular feature within this home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff view young people in a positive light and show a good understanding of the issues that may influence young people’s behaviour, such as their past experiences and adapting to new environments. Staff are good at helping young people feel positive about themselves which helps build self-esteem.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good measures in place for ensuring that those using and working in the service are protected from the risk of fire. Regular risk assessments in relation to the young people, the environment and timely safety checks are also carried out. Regular checks are carried out on the gas and electricity supply and on all portable electrical appliances used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has clear policies and procedures in place regarding the need to carry out thorough vetting of all staff prior to them working in the home. The staff personnel files contain the required information and evidence of a careful vetting and robust selection process being undertaken.

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