Children's Home run by Nugent Care 2019 in St Helens

Unique reference number SC022447 Inspection date 25/01/2012 Inspector Norma Welsby Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 19/10/2011 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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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

This children's home provides domestic accommodation for a maximum of three young people. The house is located on the site of a secure estate but this home is not a secure home and offers open accommodation. The home is independently staffed and equipped and has its own gardens and summerhouse.

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Brief description of the service

Young people are mainly placed following a period in the secure home on site and placements are arranged on a short-term transitional basis. The purpose of the home is to provide a more focused opportunity, a stepping stone from a secure environment, for young people to prepare for their next placement, in an open setting. The use of this house can also allow additional opportunities for increased levels of semi-independent living within a domestic setting.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the full inspection in October 2011 the children's home was judged to be good. At the inspection two requirements and four recommendations were made. The two requirements have been fully addressed. The review of the provision of meals for young people has included consultation with young people and a review of menus. Staff have also discussed their skills in respect of cooking home made and nutritional food and it has been identified that some staff would benefit from training. In the meantime better planning arrangements ensure that young people are consistently provided with good quality meals. The second requirement related to ensuring that the Regulation 34 quality monitoring processes include a report of how the quality of care can be improved and this too has been addressed. Of the four recommendations two have been fully actioned and two are in the process of being addressed. Young people's meetings have been reviewed to ensure young people's

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Progress

experience of these are more positive and they are being encouraged to take a greater degree of ownership, such as chairing the meetings, taking minutes and following up matters from the last meeting. There has been a very positive response to the recommendation about improving the comfort and cleanliness of the home. A programme of redecoration has commenced and a cleaning schedule has been established to ensure high standards are maintained. The two remaining recommendations, which relate to improvements to placement plans and meeting cultural needs, have been extensively discussed to ensure the best way to make sustained improvements.

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Progress

Young people continue to live in a safe and supportive environment. Staff know young people well. Staff understand the challenges that young people face when they leave secure accommodation and they work hard to engage young people and encourage them to make appropriate decisions about their safety and welfare. Young people know that staff have their best interests at heart and want them to do well in this placement as they prepare for their next move. For example, if young people refuse to attend the on site school, arrangements are made for a tutor to visit them at home and this has achieved good outcomes for individual young people. The team leader has been in post for several months now and, since the full inspection, feels that excellent progress has been made in respect of team working. He feels that staff complement each other well and they share a vision to improve outcomes for young people. The team recognises that this placement places unique pressures on young

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Progress

people, but they have the knowledge and skills to support young people and help them move on successfully.

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Progress

The open house continues to be the responsibility of the Registered Manager who also manages the secure accommodation. Regulation 33 visits are regularly made and while these are thorough they do not include evidence of consultation with parents. Regulation 34 reports are also completed each month, but at the time of the inspection a copy had not been forwarded to Ofsted.

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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 Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the person carrying out the Regulation 33 visit interview parents and relatives as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home (Regulation 33 (4) (a)) 17/02/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a copy of the review of care is supplied to the HMCI (Regulation 34 (2). 17/02/2012

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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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