Children's Home run by Inspire Children’s Services Limited in St Helens

Unique reference number SC441410 Inspection date 15/02/2013 Inspector Michelle Bacon Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 17/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to care for up to two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private organisation.

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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 full inspection in October 2012, the home was judged as adequate with one requirement and six recommendations made. The home has made progress to address all these and improve the quality of care in the home. Managers have improved their monitoring of the administration systems in the home to ensure all staff record well and any areas of weakness identified are promptly acted upon. In addition, the organisation has employed a regulation 33 visitor to provide a more robust independent monthly overview of the quality of care. The visitor consults with young people, their families and placing authorities on the quality of care in the home. This helps to ensure the standards of care and outcomes for young people continue to improve.

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Progress

There are improvements in the recording of sanctions and restraint. The home's restraint log makes it clear why staff have used this intervention, including details of the young person's behaviour leading to the restraint. In addition, the restraint book now includes photographs of the holds used so anyone needing access to the log has a holistic picture of any intervention used. Managers regularly monitor these records to ensure appropriate use of sanctions and restraints to evaluate their effectiveness in supporting young people to develop self-control. However, young people do not consistently have their views recorded in these records, to demonstrate that staff have been proactive in engaging them in discussions about their behaviour.

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Progress

The home supports young people to be involved in decisions and planning that affects them. Regular one-to-one sessions and house meetings provide young people with the opportunity to voice their views about their care and any future planning. In addition, young people sign their placement plans to demonstrate they agree to the contents. Managers regularly update placement plans, behaviour management plans and risk assessments to reflect young people's needs and how the home supports these.

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Progress

Young people are encouraged and supported by staff to develop their independence skills. For example, travelling independently and preparing their own meals. However, some young people require additional support to develop their financial capability, knowledge and skills in readiness for their transition to adult life.

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Progress

Staff have completed training on supporting young people who self-harm to develop their understanding of this issue. Furthermore, the manager has obtained information from mental health organisations to provide additional educational resources to staff and young people. The manager has also reviewed the recording and medication procedures in a recent staff meeting to ensure staff have a clear understanding of these. Staff continue to encourage and support young people to engage in services that help them, such as health professionals. However, this is not always successful as some young people choose to take responsibility for managing their own health needs and do not always attend their appointments.

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Progress

The manager and staff have a strong commitment to improving the quality of care and outcomes for young people.

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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 understand their health needs, how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to make informed decisions about their own health (NMS 6.2)  ensure where any sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraint are used, young people are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home (NMS 3.18)  ensure young people are supported to develop their financial capability, knowledge and skills that supports them into adulthood. (NMS 12.1(f))

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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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