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

Unique reference number SC062013 Inspection date 05/01/2011 Inspector Monica Farrimond Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 13/10/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children’s Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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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.

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About this inspection

This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home for three young people, from 10 to 17 years old who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is a semi-detached house and its location enables young people to access facilities in the community easily. It is close to bus stops, a railway station, local schools, shops, youth groups, leisure centres, the beach and parks.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of the inspection three young people were accommodated in the home.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection was to inspect the key national minimum standards relating to staying safe. In addition, the one action made at the previous inspection was reviewed.

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Summary

The home is good at ensuring that young people's welfare is safeguarded. Staff are well trained in safeguarding and demonstrate a sound understanding of the action required to protect young people.

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Summary

Staff form meaningful and constructive relationships with young people, and this is the basis of much of the positive interaction and behaviour seen at the home. There are few physical interventions used and staff are skilled in using alternative strategies such as distraction and diffusion. All sanctions imposed on young people are permissible.

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Summary

Young people's privacy and confidentiality is actively safeguarded. Young people know how to make a complaint and consider that staff take their concerns seriously.

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Summary

Effective systems to identify and manage risks to young people's welfare are in place. Robust selection and vetting procedures ensure that young people are not exposed to abuse by those working at the home.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There was one action made at the previous inspection relating to registering a manager for the home. The home has been without a manager registered with Ofsted since May 2010. An application to register a manager has now been received and is currently being processed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have their privacy respected. Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving the dignity and privacy of young people. Confidential information kept about young people is securely stored protecting young people's rights and needs in respect of confidentiality. Young people know how to complain and do so in the knowledge that their views are taken seriously.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from all forms of abuse and bullying. Good staffing levels ensure that young people are well supervised. Individual risk assessments and placement plans, allow staff to manage any concerns that might arise between young people. Staff are aware of their responsibilities in respect of protecting young people from coming to harm. Staff have a very good understanding of safeguarding issues, which ensures that young people are protected from abuse. Training for staff is kept up to date and detailed policies and procedures are readily available for consultation. The home's procedures in relation to safeguarding matters, bullying, complaints and unauthorised absence are clearly understood by staff and implemented effectively in practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The systems for behaviour management are fair. Relationships between young people and staff are good. Staff have a positive view of the young people they work with. They promote and reward positive behaviour and support young people well, so that they are protected from incidents developing into episodes of challenging behaviour. Individual risk management and behaviour support plans clearly show how staff work to promote behaviour that is positive and to lessen the risk of behaviour becoming challenging. The use of physical intervention is minimal and sanctions used by staff are reasonably applied. The infrequency of such incidents indicates that the strategies that staff use work well and that young people benefit from the way in which they are cared for. The recording of sanctions and restraints, are appropriate and the manager's monthly checks ensure that these issues are evaluated and reviewed to ensure they remain appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Matters in respect of health and safety are effectively addressed. There are regular fire drills to ensure safe evacuation in case of fire. Risk assessments on the environment and activities, as well as on individual young people, are regularly reviewed so that information is kept up to date and accurate. A routine programme for general maintenance and decorative repair is also in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected through the home's recruitment practices. Staff working at the home have been subject to stringent checks to ensure those employed have been assessed as being suitable to work with children.

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