Children's Home run by Crossway Services Limited in St Helens

Unique reference number SC068206 Inspection date 07/03/2014 Inspector Denise Jolly Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 05/12/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

The home, run by a private company, provides care and accommodation for one young person with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

p.3

Progress

This interim inspection focused on the progress made by the home since the last full inspection in December 2013, at which the overall judgement was good. The home is making good progress because the quality of care and outcomes for young people has continued to improve. It was not possible to speak to young people during this inspection, because they were busy pursuing additional educational and social opportunities with staff.

p.3

Progress

The qualified and experienced Registered Manager has taken positive action to address three recommendations from the previous inspection. Managers have reviewed systems for overseeing records at the home. They identify and rectify errors more reliably, and information about young people is organised more effectively to provide a clear and accurate picture of their time at the home. The home takes appropriate and escalating action to ensure that all parties sign young people’s placement and care plans. This ensures all professionals are in agreement, and work consistently to support young people.

p.3

Progress

Secondly, staff work with young people, to educate and guide them about improving their diet. At present young people are still choosing to eat sweet foods in preference, but staff are guiding them towards healthier eating. They encourage more balanced menu planning and shopping. Through individual sessions with key workers and health professionals, young people learn about the importance of fruit and vegetables for their growth and development.

p.3

Progress

Staff promote healthy eating as part of having an active and healthy lifestyle. Young people participate in sports such as football; they travel with their school to sports tournaments in other countries, and enjoy new sport experiences such as skiing, both locally and for holidays. As a result, young people are more aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and understand the link between the choices they make and the impact on their lives.

p.4

Progress

Finally, reports of visits to the home carried out on behalf of the provider are more detailed. Reports cover most of the required elements of the operation of the home, but are yet to secure the views of parents and others to help inform the standard of care provided at the home. This currently has minimal impact on the welfare of young people; however will help further inform development. Managers are mindful of changes to regulation and guidance about future monitoring of the home. Therefore, the organisation is continuing to review the nature and outcome of those visits, to improve the quality of evaluation from the visitor about their findings.

p.4

Progress

Staff make every effort to ensure young people's day-to-day needs are met. They have persisted in offering young people guidance and support, to improve outcomes towards healthy and productive lives. Young people continue to progress in their education, and are preparing for summer exams to measure the progress they have made. They participate in planning for their futures, and identify goals to support their achievement a successful young adults. Their health needs are identified, and young people cooperate with medical professionals to improve their health, such as agreeing to planned operations to improve their mobility.

p.4

Progress

Young people experience improving relationships with their families, and this helps them to understand their history and emotional attachments. It also means that young people will have known adults to support them when they move into semi- independent accommodation. Young people also maintain warm and trusting relationships with staff, and this helps them to access the care and support they need to improve.

p.4

Progress

The home is effectively managed. The stable staff team is qualified and experienced. The home shows capacity for continued improvement based on its performance since the last inspection.

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that visits carried out under Regulation 33 include all relevant checks as set out in regulation, specifically secure the views of parents and others to help inform the standard of care provided at the home (NMS 21.7)

p.4

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.

p.6

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.

p.6