Children's Home run by Building Bridges Care Homes Ltd in St Helens

Unique reference number SC063284 Inspection date 31/01/2013 Inspector Maria McGranaghan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 13/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is provided by an independent company and provides care for five young people emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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

At the last inspection in June 2012 the home was judged as adequate. At the time of the inspection the manager was asked to take account of one requirement and four recommendations made to further improve the quality of care in the home.

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Progress

The service is judged to have made good progress. Young people now benefit from suitable educational placements that support and promote individual potential. Staff maintain close links with educational providers and this ensures a consistent approach is maintained within the home and school environment. From each young person’s starting point, taking into account extended periods of previous non- attendance, improvements are evident particularly in their growing interest in personal goals and achievement. However, young people’s attendance is not consistent. As a result, young people do not take full advantage of the support available to maximise their full potential.

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Progress

Young people have been central to the development of their own placement plan. Young people have become active in detailing the aim of their placement including their goals and targets. Likewise, keyworker sessions are improved. Sessions are clearly linked to individual targets and are reviewed by young people on a regular basis. Furthermore, young people are invited to review the care they receive in the home. Child friendly questionnaires are completed by young people and highlight that they feel safe and happy in the home.

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Progress

The home has developed the way young people make a complaint. Young people wishing to make a complaint benefit from a number of simple methods aimed to ensure their privacy and confidentiality is respected. Likewise, young people are supported by a visiting independent advocate that makes sure young people understand their individual rights. Consequently, young people are empowered within the home.

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Progress

Consultation is further developed within the home. Social workers, reviewing officers and parents are regularly invited to share their views and opinions on the care young people receive and areas for development. As a result, there is a more cohesive approach to the overall care arrangements for young people living in the home.

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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 young people are supported to attend school, college or alternative provision regularly. (NMS 8.3)

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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.

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