Children's Home run by PIC Children’s Services in St Helens

Unique reference number SC022438 Inspection date 25/02/2014 Inspector Maria McGranaghan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/06/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is operated by a private company and provides care and accommodation for one young person 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

The purpose of this visit is to assess the progress made since the last inspection and how any progress has improved the quality of care and potential outcomes for young people.

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Progress

At the last inspection on 21 June 2013 the home was judged as being good. At the time the registered manager was asked to take account of two recommendations made to further improve practice within the home.

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Progress

The home is judged as making satisfactory progress.

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Progress

Young people are now encouraged to review information written about them and provide comments about how they feel their needs are being met in the home. As a result, young people have a better understanding of their care situation and are now keen participants in planning for their future.

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Progress

The living environment has been improved. The home has been redecorated throughout and fitted with a new kitchen. Young people are encouraged to make the house into their home and are consulted on colour schemes and furnishings. Consequently, the home is looking smart and is warm and welcoming.

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Progress

Young people’s health and wellbeing is prioritised in the home. Health care plans clearly capture individual need and are supported by a range of external professionals who work closely with the home. Consequently, young people receive the most appropriate support to work through some difficult emotional times in their lives and this enables them to take positive steps forward into their future.

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Progress

Young people benefit from structured routines enabling them to understand the plans for each day. They participate in a range of planned and unplanned activities such as, youth club, gym and visits to places of interest. Furthermore, young people have made friends in the local community. As a result, young people are happy and settled in the home and have developed ownership of their community.

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Progress

Young people benefit from educational placements that meet their individual needs. Consequently, young people‘s views about education are progressed with young people being positive about their education resulting in both attendance and attainment being significantly improved.

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Progress

Young people are safe and their welfare is protected in the home. Thorough safeguarding systems are in place and work together with eternal agencies to ensure the most appropriate action is taken should a safeguarding concern arise. As a result, there have been no young people missing or absent from the home since the last inspection.

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Progress

Despite these strengths there is an area for development. External quality assurance systems are in place in order to provide the home with an independent view of the overall care provision. However, reports focus on maintenance issues and therefore do not provide a suitable analysis of the care provided in the home. Consequently, external monitoring is deficient and does not serve as a useful tool to enhance service provision. As a result one requirement is made at this inspection.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure visits by the independent person include interviews with their consent, young people, parents and person's working in the children's home and the reports reflects how young people 25/03/2014 are safeguarded and the welfare promoted (Regulation 33 (8) (a) (i) (ii)

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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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