Children's Home run by PIC Children’s Services in St Helens

Unique reference number SC022438 Inspection date 30/01/2012 Inspector Chris Scully Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/05/2011 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

This home is one of 11 children's homes that are owned and operated by this private company. The home provides care and accommodation for one young person with emotional and behavioural difficulties, aged eight to 17 years.

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Progress

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

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Progress

The home was inspected 24 May 2011 and was judged to be satisfactory with some good outcome areas. One statutory requirement relating to notifications to Ofsted was raised. Five recommendations relating to the monitoring of the home, maintaining healthy lifestyles, training and development, physical restrictions on young people and records were also raised.

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Progress

The home has improved upon the systems for informing Ofsted of any significant event. This is achieved by ensuring all staff are aware to contact Ofsted about events in line with Schedule 5. There have been no notifications since the last inspection.

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Progress

Monitoring of the home is more robust. The provider's monitoring visits take place each month and provide clearer insight into any shortfalls. The Registered Manager ensures these are addressed and reports on their findings. Monitoring reports by the Registered Manager are in place and outline the progress of the young people and records compliance with the minimum standards. However, the provider has not supplied copies of the manager’s monitoring reports to Ofsted. This does not directly impact upon young people's welfare and progress.

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Progress

Young people demonstrate a generally good understanding of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy cooking for themselves and show great skill in the kitchen. They say, they enjoy cooking and 'it’s not a problem as its fun to cook!' Young people are developing independence and skills for life as they understand the need to clear away after themselves when they have been cooking. Young people say they are fully consulted about the foods that they eat and enjoy the opportunities to make their own packed lunches for school. Young people enjoy undertaking physical activity in order to keep themselves fit and healthy. They say they really enjoy playing squash with staff. Staff say that the young people are very good at squash and are worthy opponents. Young people are keen to say about their new squash racquet and they are obviously very proud of their achievement on court.

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Progress

Staff are provided with regular opportunities to undertake training. They have undertaken training regarding the administration of medication. This ensures young people get the right medication at the correct time. A training plan is in place, but there is little information on site as to when refresher training for some courses is required. Consequently, it would appear that some staff may not have undertaken safeguarding training for some time.

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Progress

Staff have revised the risk assessments to ensure that they do not place any unnecessary restrictions on young people's normal movement within the home. All areas of the home are now accessible to young people at all times. Clear procedures are in place, should any restrictions need to be implemented. These would be agreed with the placing authority and if appropriate the young person’s parents. Detailed risk assessments are in place for the young person. These outline the potential hazards to young people in school and the risks should they become separated from staff. Staff are aware of the risks involved in taking young people on outings; however, these have not been recorded. This may impact upon staff’s ability to keep young people safe.

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Progress

The home has improved the recording systems for young people's pocket money and clothing allowances. They now clearly record how much and when monies have been given to young people. Young people are encouraged to sign the records, although, this has lapsed in the last few weeks. More defined systems are in place to ensure information regarding young people missing from care is easily accessible. There have been no issues of young people going missing since the last inspection.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the home has appointed a new Registered Manager who has been instrumental in overhauling the current practices. The Registered Manager is working with other Registered Managers in the company to revise documentation to ensure a more streamlined approach for the recording of information. A new young person has moved into the home. Most information pertaining to their care is in place, with the exception of their placement plan from the placing authority. The Registered Manager and staff continue to chase this information and have created their own care plan based on the information they have. Regular reviews are taking place and information is available on the young person’s file; meaning staff are aware of their current needs. The young person has settled well and is making progress. School reports state, 'there has been a marked improvement in the young person’s attendance, punctuality and attitude to learning.' School acknowledges the

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Progress

positive impact the home has had upon the young people and they value the care and support provided by staff.

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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 reports reviewing the quality of care under Regulation 34 are supplied to Ofsted at six-monthly intervals within 28 days of completion. (Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 5, statutory guidance, paragraph 3.14)  ensure staff understand what is in the young person’s placement plan and have clarity about the decisions they can make about the day-to-day arrangements for the young person; in particular they have sight of the placement plan from the placing authority and risk assessments are in place for high risk activities (NMS 7.3)  ensure the learning and development programme for staff is evaluated for effectiveness in particular identifying when refresher training is required. (NMS 18.2)

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