Children's Home run by After Care (NW) Limited in Sefton

Unique reference number SC051947 Inspection date 16/01/2012 Inspector Sonya Robinson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/06/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care for up to two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties between the ages of eight and 17 years.

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned by a private organisation.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

At the last full inspection in June 2011 the home was rated as satisfactory.

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Progress

At the last inspection it was identified that the children's guide had not been updated and reviewed; visits by the home owner or their representative were not consistently taking place on a monthly basis. Both of these have been completed. Young people now have access to important information within their guide, such as contact details of the Children's Rights Director in Ofsted. Monthly monitoring visits have also been consistently undertaken since the last inspection. These have highlighted action to be taken by the home where necessary and have identified any areas for improvements.

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Progress

Recommendations made at the last inspection included, entries in records being clear and legible; encourage young people with individual interests and hobbies; some household maintenance issues were highlighted; and that the home had a designated person responsible for safeguarding. Also the home was asked that, a missing from care protocol be established with the relevant authorities; and when a child has been missing that on their return they can speak to an independent person from their placing authority.

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Progress

The home was asked to look at obtaining young people's views in behaviour management documentation; ensuring risk assessments are detailed and updated and finally that staff at the home have an appropriate childcare qualification.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the home has undertaken staff training with regards to record keeping and as a result young people's information is clearer and more detailed; including behaviour management of young people and individual risk assessments. Where applicable, staff also have an appropriate childcare qualification. Young people within the home are now actively encouraged to pursue individual hobbies and interests which has resulted in some young people playing football on a regular basis with a local team. This means that young people are more settled within the home and have continued to engage in other areas, for example in education.

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Progress

Parts of the home have also been refurbished since the last inspection, including the lounge and bedroom areas which have been repainted. Young people say they were actively involved in choosing the colour schemes for this. Additional soft furnishings have contributed to the home feeling more homely and the young people and staff say it is much better.

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Progress

Protocols with regards to young people going missing from care have been agreed with the relevant authorities and the home has made good improvements with the young people in this area. Young people placed now tend to maintain mobile telephone contact with staff if they are going to be late. Incidents of young people missing overnight have significantly decreased since the last inspection. However, this is an area that the home is still reviewing and ensuring that young people have access to an independent person on their return will provide further safeguards in this area.

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Progress

Since the last inspection a new manager has been appointed and taken up their post and Ofsted has received this application for process. The manager says she is keen for the home to progress further and undertakes regular internal monitoring to identify additional areas for development.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that when a child goes missing and there is concern for their welfare, or at the request of a child who has been missing, staff arrange a meeting between the child and the responsible authority in private to consider the reasons for the child going missing (NMS 5.9)

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