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

Unique reference number SC042652 Inspection date 24/02/2012 Inspector Monica Farrimond Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/07/2011 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 service provides residential accommodation for up to three looked after young people, aged between 8 and 17 years old, who have complex emotional and behavioural needs.

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Progress

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

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Progress

The overall effectiveness of this service was judged good at the last full inspection in July 2011. Good progress has been made in addressing the matters highlighted for further development and the home has appropriately addressed two of the three recommendations made at the last inspection. These related to maintaining a homely comfortable environment which is safe. The third recommendation relating to educational opportunities for young people at the home, has not been fully addressed. Although it is acknowledged that young people have access to a wide range of opportunities to promote education, the young people cannot access the internet in the home to increase their knowledge. Therefore this recommendation is re-iterated in this report.

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Progress

Young people are looked after by a competent staff team who have a range of skills and experience. The skills within the team match the needs of young people living in the home. The staff team reflects cultural backgrounds of the young people and provides both positive male and female role models. The numbers of staff on duty meets the needs of young people, and this includes the support they need for activities, visits and appointments. The home continues to support the staff team with a good range of professional development and training opportunities. Training is designed to equip staff with the skills required to meet the specific needs of the young people in placement. All staff have received child protection and safeguarding training as part of their induction and/or at some stage of their employment. Staff speak highly of the training that is made available to them and feel confident that should they be able to identify an additional area of training that would help them to

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Progress

The home demonstrates continued improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people. Placing authorities, and other professionals involved in the lives of the young people, are overwhelmingly complementary about the professionalism of the staff team and the care offered to the young people. The manager continually reviews policies, practices and procedures in light of the changing needs and development of the young people. The views of the young people, their families and other professionals involved in the young people's lives, are consistently sought and this information is used to influence the operation of the home. Thus, young people feel their views and the views of their families are taken seriously. This helps to promote self-esteem and confidence. Relationships between staff and young people are excellent with individual differences accepted and celebrated.

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Progress

The home's aims and objectives are being fulfilled. There are good quality assurance systems being used to monitor the operation, the management, the young people's welfare and the home's records. Realistic and challenging targets are outlined within the home’s development plan. Good monitoring systems are used that comply with the requirements of Regulation 33 and 34. Planning for the future is founded on robust evidence which identifies areas of weakness and builds on the areas of strength that this service demonstrates.

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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 young people have access to a range of educational resources to support their learning and have opportunities beyond the school day and to engage in activities which promote learning in particular that young people have access to the internet at home. (NMS 8.2)

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