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

Unique reference number SC441410 Inspection date 24/02/2014 Inspector Lynn O'Driscoll Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 28/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a private children's home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people with 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

Overall, this home was judged to be good at the last full inspection on 28 November 2013. The quality of care provided and the safeguarding arrangements in place were outstanding. No requirements or recommendations were made. In the last three months satisfactory progress has been maintained and there are no regulatory shortfalls arising from this inspection.

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Progress

Recently increased staffing ratios ensure that the unique and complex needs and personal preferences of the young people are met.

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Progress

Young people benefit from highly personalised care. This includes sensitive night time routines to ensure they settle and feel safe. Improved sleeping patterns have had a very positive effect on school attendance and behaviours. Moreover, a significant improvement in personal hygiene and diets has in turn increased young people's self-esteem.

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Progress

Young people are cared for by a stable, suitably qualified, experienced and competent staff team. They are particularly successful at building positive relationships with young people and gaining their trust whilst still maintaining very clear and consistent boundaries. This is enabling young people to strengthen their emotional resilience and develop appropriate coping mechanisms for dealing with, for example, disappointment and conflict.

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Progress

Staff benefit from the expertise of a well qualified and experienced Registered Manager. The staff confirm good management support and on-going training to ensure their own continued development. The manager provides clear direction to the team and actively encourages them to suggest areas for continued improvement. This maintains good morale, motivation and commitment.

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Progress

A significant recent development is that the Registered Manager now sits on a sub group of the local safeguarding board. This is to specifically help to improve the authority's engagement with looked after children.

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Progress

This home has established effective partnership working with a range of agencies including the police and placing authorities. This means, although incidents of going missing have increased since the last inspection, they are still less than in previous placements. Records clearly demonstrate the stringent efforts by staff to locate and maintain contact with young people to ensure they are safe and well in full collaboration with parents and relevant professionals.

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Progress

One head teacher is very pleased with the working relationship established with the care staff. This has resulted in a gradual return to school for one young person since moving to this home. However, others still struggle to engage, so progress is limited.

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Progress

Parents are actively involved in care planning so are in full agreement with the comprehensive plans and risk assessments in place. One parent confirmed, 'In general everything is pretty good. There is very good communication with the staff. They provide clear and consistent boundaries and keep me informed of how my son is progressing.'

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Progress

All the required health and safety certificates are in place to ensure a safe and well maintained building. The home is suitably located, decorated and furnished throughout. Young people like their bedrooms which they have personalised. Photographs in the lounge of young people enjoying activities with staff provides a homely ambience. One parent said, 'I have been to the home several times and I am more than happy with the standard of accommodation provided.'

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Progress

Realistically young people would prefer to be living with their families. That said, they are relatively happy and settled at this children's home and feel safe and secure. They say they know that the staff genuinely care about them. They also benefit from frequent constructive contact with their families. This included Christmas Day, which was particularly important to them. They enjoy the meals on offer and the opportunity to shop and cook independently, which are essential skills for adulthood.

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Progress

Young people's individual interests and talents are actively encouraged and supported which increases their confidence and competences. Young people know how to complain and have exercised this right. These are taken seriously and outcomes reached in a timely manner. Since the last inspection this company has introduced a safeguarding concerns form and running log. This is designed to clearly demonstrate that any allegations made or safeguarding concern are dealt with promptly and that the home fully co-operates with relevant agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of the young people.

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Progress

Monitoring processes have strengthened. Consequently, any shortfalls identified are efficiently addressed. Independent Regulation 33 reports on the quality of care provided in the home are detailed and evaluative documents which include views from young people, their parents, staff and a range of professionals.

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Progress

All significant events are promptly notified in writing to Ofsted which demonstrate that appropriate action is taken. Moreover, this home clearly reflects on any lessons learned to try to avoid a similar occurrence.

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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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