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

Unique reference number SC423460 Inspection date 04/03/2013 Inspector Nick Veysey Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 05/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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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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 July 2012 the overall effectiveness of the children’s home was judged to be outstanding. The manager was asked to make improvements in the quality of written records relating to sanctions and medication.

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Progress

The children’s home shows capacity for continuing improvement in its quality of care and outcomes for young people. All the necessary improvements identified at the last inspection have been made. The records of sanctions now clearly show how long each measure should last, and medication records show the dose and strength of the medication given to young people. In addition, the manager and staff have improved how they support young people to be become more independent and prepare for adult life. Staff have continued to develop their skills and knowledge by working towards suitable residential child care qualifications and through training in child sexual exploitation and e-safety.

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Progress

The children’s home continues to make a positive difference to young people’s lives. It provides them with a warm, safe and caring environment and opportunities to achieve positive outcomes. Overall young people are very well settled and making significant progress in their education, health, emotional development, relationships and personal safety. Young people have opportunities to take risks suitable for their age. They are encouraged and supported to make friends and take part in activities independently of adults, and stay overnight with friends. Mostly, they make positive choices not to take part in risk taking behaviour. However, like any other teenager, occasionally they challenge their boundaries, such as coming in times, and make poor choices. Generally they are willing to learn from their experiences and mistakes, and accept guidance and advice from the adults caring for them.

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Progress

Young people feel safe and that staff are interested in their lives and concerned about their welfare. They enjoy trusting and warm relationships with staff. They said they can talk to staff and that staff try to help them. Some young people feel it is now the time for them to move on, but are still positive about the quality of care and support they have received. Staff are enthusiastic and show a high level of skill, understanding and knowledge in meeting young people’s complex needs on a daily basis. Staff have high aspirations for all young people and work to promote young people’s safety, personal growth and development. Staff have a detailed knowledge of the potential risks that young people may face. They have taken decisive action when they have been concerned about young people’s safety, and work effectively with other agencies to protect young people from harm.

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Progress

Young people’s behaviour is usually very good. On the rare occasions they experience problems, staff work diligently to: understand what is wrong; encourage young people to express their wishes, feelings and worries; and help them to develop ways to deal with difficulties constructively. Staff’s practice is highly personalised and tailored to comprehensively meet the individual needs of each young person. They take into account young people’s characters, experiences and backgrounds to ensure that young people get the help and opportunities they need.

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Progress

The manager understands the strengths of the service and effectively uses the quality assurance systems to develop the service further. There is a strong emphasis on providing excellent childcare practice. The manager can demonstrate the impact that living at the home is having on young people’s lives and how their life chances have improved over time. Although young people’s views are taken into account and influence the running of the home, the monthly monitoring reports do not always show what consultation has taken place with young people, their families and social workers about the quality of care. Young people have easy access to adults independent of the home who they can talk to if they have any worries. However, the children’s guide does not let young people know how they can contact their independent reviewing officer, the Children's Rights Director, and Ofsted if they wish to raise a concern with an inspector.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure the wishes, feelings and views of children and those significant to them, including parents and social workers, are taken into account in monitoring and developing the children's home (NMS 1.7)  ensure the children's guide lets young people know how they can contact their independent reviewing officer, the Children's Rights Director, and Ofsted if they wish to raise a concern with an inspector. (NMS 13.5)

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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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