Children's Home run by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council in St Helens

Unique reference number SC063550 Inspection date 14/03/2014 Inspector Maria McGranaghan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned and managed by a local authority and provides accommodation for up to six young people who have 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

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 25 October 2013 the home was judged as outstanding. The Registered Manager was asked to take account of two recommendations made to improve the quality of care provided in the home.

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Progress

The home is judged as making good progress.

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Progress

The way young people review their files has been developed. Young people now consistently review the work undertaken with them in the home and provide valuable written feedback to staff. Furthermore, young people have developed a significant interest in how their care is planned and reviewed. Consequently, the level of engagement within the care planning process has significantly improved.

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Progress

Referrals to the home are now routinely assessed by the manager with regard to matching requirements and suitability. This is working well. Young people are settled and get along well together in the home. Young people continue to make excellent progress in education. Attendance and attainment is consistent with some young people receiving comments such as "outstanding" on their school reports. As a result, young people’s life chances are significantly improved.

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Progress

Young people actively engage in activities within the community such as go karting, skating and football. Likewise, young people make appropriate friendships within their neighbourhood and this enables them to develop a sense of belonging. Staff say, ‘Young people enjoy activities, even if it is an evening walk on the beach. Staff really engage with them and this helps form the brilliant relationships we have with them all.’ Consequently, young people form positive interests and relationships and are happy and settled in the home.

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Progress

Young people’s safety is prioritised in the home. Effective safeguarding systems are in place and work hand-in-hand with external safeguarding agencies. As a result, young people are very rarely absent or missing from the home.

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Progress

Despite these strengths there is an area for development. Although Regulation 33 monitoring is undertaken at regular intervals, reports of this monitoring do not provide a detailed analysis of the care practice within the home. Consequently, there is no clear overview of the care provided in the home in order to routinely enhance practice. As a result one recommendation is made at this inspection.

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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

 ensure visits carried out under Regulation 33 include a detailed summary and analysis of the care practice in the home (NMS 21.7)

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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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