Children's Home run by Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council in Sefton

Unique reference number SC036304 Inspection date 19/03/2013 Inspector Stephen Trainor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 11/12/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for up to five young people of either sex. The home is one of a small number of children's homes managed and run by the local authority.

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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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the previous inspection on 11 December 2012 the home's overall effectiveness was judged to be good. The children's home has maintained a high quality of care between inspections and this continues to secure good outcomes for children and young people.

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Progress

Three recommendations set at the last inspection have been addressed or were in the process of being actioned. Due to a short timescale between inspections little improvement was noted with regard to the amount of consultation evidence within monthly regulation 33 reports. These reports are extremely important and allow Ofsted opportunities to monitor the home's operation as well as understand what children think about their home. Ofsted does receive quality assurance monitoring reports linked to regulation 33 and 34 at the required frequency. The Registered Manager is drafting the next bi-annual regulation 34 report. Past reports provide comprehensive data, detailed evaluations and demonstrate the ability to plan continuous improvements. The home has a detailed development plan that is directly linked to Ofsted’s inspection framework, evaluation schedule and grade descriptors. Significant events affecting the home's operation were reported transparently to

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Progress

Ofsted. Importantly, the Registered Manager provided Ofsted with regular updates and final outcome statements. It is clear that inappropriate behaviours are being challenged appropriately. Young people have more rewards open to them and this mitigates against the need to impose sanctions. The Registered Manager evaluates the effectiveness of sanctions on a regular basis. Staff members discuss young people’s indiscretions and this provides them with opportunities to reflect on and change aspects of their behaviour. Key worker inputs are not always being recorded. Records showing exactly how young people are reflecting on important matters that include bullying, missing from home, physical intervention and their thoughts on sanctions are not always available.

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Progress

The group of young people living at the home has not changed between inspections. Young people are supported by an experienced, competent and fully qualified staff team. The Registered Manager provides effective leadership and uses skills and experience to stimulate the enthusiasm of staff. Good information, including policy and procedural guidance, is available to support staff practice. New ideas and initiatives are constantly being introduced and this is evident in the amount of consultation work being carried out by staff and management. Young peoples, social workers, independent reviewing officers and parents thoughts and views are welcomed at this home.

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Progress

Young people receive individual care and support leading to better education attendance. Individuals plans are being reviewed regularly. Young people learn how to take more responsibility for their actions and make sensible and safe decisions most of the time. The home provides a child-focused service that is conducive to young people developing their potential. Young people regularly reflect on their progress with staff and this keeps them motivated. Young people display their records of achievements with a great deal of pride.

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Progress

Young people’s successes and achievements are celebrated. Young people benefit from consistent practice that allows their lives to improve. The ethos and culture at the home place young people at the forefront of practice. Young people work closely with staff and hard work has created an interesting home where they like to be. Young people are choosing to spend their time doing constructive activities.

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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

 consult with young people and staff to ensure their views are taken into account, as part of the home's monitoring activities, specifically during regulation 33 visits (NMS 21.1)  ensure children develop and practice skills to build and maintain positive relationships and resolve conflict positively; specifically, ensure all key worker sessions are recorded especially when addressing matters relating to incidents of poor behaviour and bullying (NMS 3.5)  ensure where any sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraint are used, or when children are reported missing from home they are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept at the home. (NMS 3.18)

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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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