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

Unique reference number SC035971 Inspection date 22/02/2012 Inspector Sonya Robinson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 02/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides short-term breaks and some respite care for children and young people, from the ages of seven years to 17 years, with physical and learning disabilities.

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned and run by local authority.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

Unfortunately, young people were unavailable during this inspection.

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Progress

At the last full inspection in November 2011 the home was rated as good. At that inspection, Ofsted asked the provider to make the following improvements. The home needed to ensure that the behaviour management policy was reviewed and updated as appropriate, along with the Statement of Purpose and young people's guide. The home was also asked to ensure that there are systems in place to notify relevant authorities without delay, of any significant events that may occur within the home. The home was to identify a designated person responsible for dealing with safeguarding. There were also some household maintenance issues highlighted.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the behaviour management policy, the Statement of Purpose and the young person's guide have been reviewed and received by Ofsted. Some young people, parents and specialist agencies were involved in reviewing the young person's guide. The result is a pictorial, child friendly document. The service has also arrangements in place to enable this to be accessible in various languages, print size, audio tape and Braille. This demonstrates good practice in meeting young people's individual and diverse needs.

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Progress

There are now systems in place, and known by staff, to ensure that all relevant authorities are informed of any significant incident that may occur within the home. Further, there are designated senior managers within the home who are responsible for handling any safeguarding concerns. Again, this process is known by all staff and helps to provide further safeguards for young people who stay at this home.

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Progress

Since April 2011, the home has undergone some major buildings works and these were largely completed by the previous inspection. Since the previous inspection in November 2011 further painting has taken place, and young people who stay at the home have been involved in choosing paint colours and wallpapers. The light sensory room has also been completed and is now well equipped. Further bedrooms have been identified in the final phase of the refurbishment, with work scheduled to take place imminently. Young people, parents and Ofsted have been informed and consulted as appropriate. There is also pictorial evidence throughout the home of young people being part of this process and clearly enjoying themselves in a safe and structured way.

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Progress

An elected member, along with the acting manager, monitors the home on a monthly basis. They do this to ensure that the home continues to meet the needs of the young people who stay at this service. Copies of these reports which identify any areas for improvement and any action to be taken, are received by Ofsted .

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Progress

The Registered Manager has been absent from this service for some time now and Ofsted has been informed of appropriate interim arrangements. However, Ofsted have not been informed that the Registered Manager is no longer in post despite this being a legal requirement. Also, the home has not made an application to register a new manager. It is understood that this occurred just prior to this inspection. The positive outcomes for young people who stay at this service have not been affected.

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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 the registered person shall give notice in writing to HMCI when a person ceases to manage the home (Regulation 38 (b) ) 31/03/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

2000 ensure that any person who manages an establishment shall be registered. (Care Standards Act, Section 11 (1) ) 23/05/2012

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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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Recommendations

 ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. (NMS 10.3)

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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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