Children's Home run by Teen-Works Care Limited in Sefton

Unique reference number SC423460 Inspection date 16/03/2012 Inspector Nick Veysey Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/10/2011 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 private children's home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Progress

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

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Progress

This children’s home was judged as good at the last inspection. At the inspection the manager was asked to make sure she obtained all the relevant information about people working at the home and to improve the quality of records about young people.

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Progress

The manager has made all the necessary improvements. The staff recruitment and selection process is now much more thorough. The manager has gathered all the relevant information about staff, including documentary evidence of their qualifications and written references from staff’s last employers. The manager has been persistent at making sure this important information is always available. She verifies the information and follows up any queries she may have to ensure she makes good decisions about the suitability of people to work at the home with vulnerable young people. In addition, the manager and provider have further improved recruitment and selection by ensuring young people are actively involved in the process. Young people meet people wishing to work at the home, informally interview them and show them around. The manager and provider take into account young people’s views when deciding about applicants’ suitability.

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Progress

The quality of young people’s written records has improved. The records provide a clear picture of individual young people’s experiences, needs, development and progress. Staff ensure young people’s records contain up-to-date information about them and remain relevant to their needs and development, including the relevant documents from placing authorities. As a result, the records provide essential information and insight that contribute to an understanding of young people’s lives and informs the plans for their future.

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Progress

Young people continue to live in a nurturing and supportive environment that enables them to feel safe and secure and achieve positive outcomes. A young person, who had only moved in a few days before the inspection, was very positive about the quality of care. She said that she felt at home straightaway, everyone was friendly and made her feel welcome. Young people continue to make excellent progress with their personal and emotional development, education and personal safety. For example, young people are building confidence in their social and life skills, making new friends and becoming more independent in the community. Staff place a strong emphasis on education and development. Young people’s school attendance and attitude to towards learning are excellent. They work hard and are achieving very pleasing results. For example, one young person has been accepted at two local further education colleges and is currently deciding which offer to take

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Progress

up. Staff ensure that young people always get the help they need with their education; for example, they have arranged for a tutor to help young people catch up with mathematics.

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Progress

The children’s home is very effectively managed in the best interests of young people. The manager and staff clearly have a strong commitment to delivering very good childcare tailored to the personal needs of the young people they look after. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the positive progress young people are making. The manager and staff take appropriate and decisive action to promote young people’s safety. Staff balance the need for protection with enabling young people to take reasonable risks as part of their growth and development.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the home has clearly demonstrated the capacity for continuous improvement. The systems for monitoring the quality of care are thorough and include consultation with young people, social workers and other people involved in young people’s lives. This includes gathering the views of young people who have moved on and their social workers. This effective monitoring means that the manager and provider have a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and the areas where they wish to improve.

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