Children's Home run by 2nd Nurture Limited in St Helens

Unique reference number SC413223 Inspection date 08/03/2012 Inspector Karen Forster Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 04/05/2011 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 privately-owned home is registered to accommodate one young person. The service can accommodate young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties or learning difficulties. The home offers medium- to long-term residential care.

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Progress

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

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Progress

The judgement at the last inspection was good. At this interim inspection, the home's progress with the three requirements and five recommendations made at the last inspection, were reviewed. The home has met all of the requirements raised at the last inspection. The home has developed their Statement of Purpose, and it now meets the regulations and provides a clear description of the home's services. The home now provides a written policy and procedure for the landlord to gain access to the property. This guidance ensures that the landlord will pre-arrange all visits, and thus be escorted, keeping the young people safe. The home now includes consultation with young people and staff within their Regulation 33 visit programme. This means that all available evidence is used well to inform the home's external quality monitoring programme.

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Progress

At the last inspection, five recommendations were raised. The home has developed a clear health plan for each resident young person. Each individual's access to primary and secondary health care services is well promoted in accordance with this plan. Young people's understanding of their placement plan is now promoted though individual guidance discussions and preparation for care reviews. This means that young people take up the opportunity to discuss their placement plan, and demonstrate an appreciation of the content and the plans for their placement. The home has addressed the third recommendation, and appointed male staff to balance the young people's access to staff of both gender. However, these sessional male staff have now left the home's employment. This reduces the young people's access to role models of both genders. Therefore, this recommendation is re-instated at this inspection.

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Progress

The home has taken suitable action to meet the fourth recommendation. The document outlining the landlord's access restrictions, includes a notice clause for any lease termination. This measure helps to manage the risk of the lease being terminated suddenly, which would have a substantial impact on placements in the home. The home has developed their records for restraints, which now includes space for an account of the feedback from young people regarding the restraint's effectiveness. This means that the fifth recommendation is suitably met.

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Progress

The home has met all of the requirements, and four of the five recommendations, which means that they have made good progress since the last inspection. In addition, there is evidence that the young people have made continued and consistent progress within their placement. There is one recommendation arising from this inspection. At this interim inspection, the home's progress with the three requirements and five recommendations made at the last inspection, were reviewed. The home has met all of the requirements raised at the last inspection. The home has developed their Statement of Purpose, and it now meets the regulations and provides a clear description of the home's services. The home now provides a written policy and procedure for the landlord to gain access to the property. This guidance means that the landlord will pre-arrange all visits, and thus be escorted, keeping the young people safe. The home now includes consultation with young people and staff

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Progress

within their regulation 33 visit programme. This means that all available evidence is used well, to inform the home's external quality monitoring programme.

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Progress

At the last inspection, five recommendations were raised. The home has developed a clear health plan for each resident young person. Each individual's access to primary and secondary health care services is well promoted in accordance with this plan. Young people's understanding of their placement plan, is now promoted though individual guidance discussions and preparation for care reviews. This means that young people take up the opportunity to discuss their placement plan, and demonstrate an appreciation of the content and the plans for their placement. The home has addressed the third recommendation, and appointed male staff to balance the young people's access to staff of both gender. However, these sessional male staff have now left the home's employment. This reduces the young people's access to role models of both genders. Therefore, this recommendation is re-instated at this inspection.

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Progress

The home has taken suitable action to meet the fourth recommendation. The document outlining the landlord's access restrictions, includes a notice clause for any lease termination. This measure helps to manage the risk of the lease being terminated suddenly, which would have a substantial impact on placements in the home. The home has developed their records for restraints, which now includes space for an account of the feedback from young people regarding the restraint's effectiveness. This means that the fifth recommendation is suitably met.

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Progress

The home has met all of the requirements, and four of the five recommendations, which means that they have made good progress since the last inspection. In addition, there is evidence that the young people have made continued progress within their placement. There is one recommendation arising from this inspection.

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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 the staff group, who are in day-to-day contact with young people, includes staff of both genders whenever possible. (NMS 17.10)

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