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

Unique reference number SC441410 Inspector Lynn O'Driscoll Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Inspire Childrens Services Limited Registered person address Ground Floor 121 Church Street ST. HELENS Merseyside WA10 1AJ Responsible individual Paul Edward Keogh Registered manager Barry Henry Date of last inspection 24/02/2014 2 of 12 Inspection date 14/08/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good

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Overall effectiveness

Children and young people make good progress in this home; their wishes and feelings are considered central to their day-to-day lives and their futures. They enjoy sound, trusting relationships with all the staff, who provide good care and support and clear and consistent boundaries. Consequently, they feel, and are, safe, happy and settled in this home.

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Overall effectiveness

Children and young people benefit from highly individualised care which meets their unique and highly complex needs and personal preferences. A very experienced and stable team, good staffing ratios at all times and the timely provision of a good range of specialist services, enable all the children and young people to realise their full potentials. They are, therefore, making good progress behaviourally, emotionally, socially and educationally from their individual starting points.

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Overall effectiveness

The staff team have a very good understanding of safe working practices and have established highly effective collaborative working with all relevant agencies to safeguard and protect the welfare of all the children and young people.

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Overall effectiveness

The managers and staff team are genuinely committed to providing a good standard of care and are strong and effective advocates. This ensures children and young people's voices are heard and acted upon if this is in their best interests. 3 of 12 The managers and staff are all very clear about the many strengths of the home and there is an appropriate development plan in place to drive continuous improvement.

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Overall effectiveness

Four requirements have arisen from this inspection. This is to ensure that: independent monitoring visits are always undertaken at least monthly; the home is always clean and well decorated; meals are suitably varied and healthy; and, the home's statement of purpose is accessible on the company's website. 4 of 12

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Information about this children’s home

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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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/02/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 28/11/2013 Full good 15/02/2013 Interim good progress 17/10/2012 Full adequate

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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 all parts of the children's home used by the children is kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained (Regulation 31(2)(e)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) demonstrate the provision of varied, wholesome and nutritious meals suited to individual needs and served at appropriate intervals (Regulation 13(a)) 31/08/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure visits by an independent person take place at least once a month (Regulation 33(7)) 31/08/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

4 (2001) ensure a copy of the home's statement of purpose is published on the company's website unless the registered person considers that such publication would prejudice the welfare of children cared for in the children's home. (Regulation 4(2A)) 31/08/2014 5 of 12 6 of 12

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All the children and young people are happy and settled at this home. They benefit from highly individualised care which meets their unique needs and personal preferences. This enables them all to reach their full potential. For example, one young person struggles with surprises. Having a monthly calendar of all important events helps him to take more control of his life by preparing for them. This is proving highly effective in reducing any unnecessary anxieties and extreme challenging behaviours.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All the children and young people enjoy sound relationships with the staff. They say they trust and feel comfortable discussing any concerns with them, knowing they will be efficiently addressed. They have, therefore, never needed to make a formal complaint.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The children and young people have a genuine choice about contact with their family so they are very happy with the current arrangements in place. This helps them to understand their backgrounds and maintain their sense of identity.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

None of the children and young people living at this home smoke, drink alcohol, or take illicit drugs. Since moving to this placement, they have benefitted from improved sleeping and eating routines which is vital to continued good health. They are now attending school and making good progress from their individual starting points. The frequency, duration and severity of challenging behaviours have all significantly reduced.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All the children and young people genuinely enjoy spending time with staff and take part in a wide variety of stimulating, challenging and meaningful activities including charitable events. They particularly loved their recent camping trip and are looking forward to going again at the end of the school holidays. They are actively involved in local clubs which gives them a strong sense of belonging.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The daily life within this home enables all children and young people to gain age and ability appropriate practical and social skills needed for future successful independent living. Examples include helping with household chores, shopping, cooking and budgeting.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Comments from children and young people include, 'The care and support here is very good. The staff are good and listen to what I have to say most of the time. They help me to feel good about myself and to deal with things that worry me. I can take part in activities I like all of the time' and, 'The meals are very good here and the activities are brill. I really loved the big swimming pool with the slides. I did archery 7 of 12 today and then we went to spend my pocket money on some toys.'

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Quality of care good

Unless contrary to their best interests, children and young people's wishes and feelings are always taken into account in all aspects of their care and positively acted upon. Since the last inspection a suggestion box has been introduced and is well used as another means of expressing their wishes and feelings. Recent changes as a direct result of listening to the children and young people include, contact arrangements, furnishings and colour schemes and individual and group activities, trips and holidays. All achievements are celebrated and rewarded which increases their feelings of self-worth.

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Quality of care good

Children and young people also contribute to the continued development of the home through, for example, staff recruitment and selection processes. They have devised six questions they want asking at the formal interview. Examples include, 'How are you going to support me with safe contact with my family?' and, 'What do you bring to the home that’s different from the others?' Children and young people also contribute to annual staff appraisals. Their evaluations of team members include, 'He is a good person and I get on well with him. He is lots of fun' and, 'He is hardworking and kind. I enjoy it when we go swimming together.' All these consultation opportunities reinforces to them the fact that their opinions genuinely matter and are valued, which in turn increases their self-esteem and confidence.

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Quality of care good

Gradual and sensitive admission processes are highly effective in ensuring children and young people settle quickly.

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Quality of care good

Parents are actively involved in care planning so are in full agreement with the comprehensive plans and risk assessments in place. One parent said, 'This is the first place that has really been able to meet my son's needs successfully.'

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Quality of care good

There are frequent opportunities for parents and stakeholders to comment on the quality of care provided at this home. The feedback is consistently positive. Any constructive criticism is seriously considered to constantly improve upon the services provided. Comments from professionals include, 'This home provides an excellent service in collaboration with relevant agencies which improves outcomes for the children and young people', 'The staff have a good understanding of children and young people's individual needs and I am kept well informed of significant events', 'Contact is promoted in this home and learning has improved.' One head teacher said, 'The college has a very positive working relationship with this care setting. Communications are good and the collaborative approach to meeting need is certainly benefiting the young person'. A parent said, 'I have high levels of 8 of 12 communication with the staff. My son is particularly improving at school because his

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Quality of care good

The staff are strong and successful advocates for the children and young people. This ensures, for example, that they all benefit from education and contact that best meets their individual needs and personal preferences. A recent school report describes one young person with a previous history of non-school attendance prior to moving to this placement as, 'Highly engaging, imaginative and creative young man who has good functioning levels of literacy and numeracy. He has good ICT skills and enjoys cooking and art. There has been major progress in his behaviour with no exclusions and 98% attendance.'

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Quality of care good

The staff offer a good range of stimulating and challenging activities everyday throughout the summer holidays. Individual interests and talents are always actively encouraged and supported which serves to further increase children and young people's competencies and confidence.

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Quality of care good

Staff ensure all the children and young people have timely statutory medicals and health checks to promote their continued good health. There are also good arrangements in place to ensure the safe storage, administration and recording of medicines. Moreover, specialist workers are actively involved with the children and young people and advise the staff and parents on how to best to support their good emotional and mental health. One worker confirmed that, 'The staff are working well with me and the young people.' The children and young people are physically fit and healthy but they are overweight. This can have a significant impact on their continued good health in the future. In response, healthy meals are gradually being introduced and the children and young people are genuinely enjoying trying new foods. Their physical exercise has also significantly increased in this home. Examples include, martial arts, dog training, football, swimming, cycling, golf and kayaking.

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Quality of care good

Food diaries are maintained on advice from a dietician. However, the entries demonstrate that breakfasts are often declined, which is widely recognised as the most important meal of the day and when out of the home they are still choosing unhealthy snacks and drinks. Moreover, hidden calories in, for example, convenience foods and sauces and quantity and portion sizes are not consistently recorded.

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Quality of care good

This home is suitably located and furnished and provides a good choice of communal areas. However, a slight delay to the planned redecoration of the main lounge and bathroom has meant they are looking a little tired. The bathroom is also in need of a thorough clean. Children and young people like their bedrooms which they have personalised. Photographs in the lounge of young people enjoying activities with staff provides a homely ambience.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

9 of 12 The children and young people are happy, safe and secure at this home. One child said, 'I like it here and feel safe. This is my family now.' A parent said, 'My son's individual needs are very well met at this home. He is provided with safety and security. I enjoy good partnership working with the staff and they keep me well informed. I also get a lot of support from them.'

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Keeping children and young people safe good

This experienced staff team are well trained and feel confident in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children looked after. They are vigilant in respect to any signs of bullying and are consistent and successful in their pro-active approach to prevent incidents.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The children and young people have also benefitted from targeted work to raise their awareness of risks and to explore appropriate strategies to keep themselves safe when enjoying independence in the community. Consequently, they have a good understanding of, for example, safe internet use, bike safety and stranger danger.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Good behaviour and effort is positively encouraged and rewarded and is having the desired effect on children and young people's behaviours. The few sanctions imposed are fair and proportionate to the particular misdemeanour.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

This staff team are particularly successful at building positive relationships with children and young people and gaining their trust whilst still maintaining very clear and consistent boundaries. This is enabling the children and young people to strengthen their emotional resilience and develop appropriate coping mechanisms for dealing with, for example, anger and frustration. They are also noticeably starting to recognise the impact their behaviour has on others and are learning tolerance, which is a significant social skill. Consequently, challenging behaviours have markedly reduced in frequency, duration and severity and restraints are relatively rare. This is very significant progress given the particular complexities of the children and young people placed.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

This home has established highly effective partnership working with a range of agencies, including the police and placing authorities, to safeguard and protect the children and young people. Consequently, there have been no missing from home incidents in respect of the children and young people currently living at the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The Registered Manager sits on a sub group of the local safeguarding board. His expertise is specifically used to improve the authority's engagement with children looked after.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

A missing from home co-ordinator confirmed, 'This is a good placement. The staff communicate with me to an excellent standard and are committed to the young people.' Comments from social workers include, 'The staff have created a safe environment and friendly atmosphere where the children feel safe', 'Children are kept safe and are helped to learn how to protect themselves. Challenging behaviours are well managed. The children and young people speak well about the staff' and, 'Myself 10 of 12 and my colleagues have been impressed with the care provided at this home. Other agencies have also commented on the excellent team work. The team worked tirelessly to engage children and young people and are keen to work with families and quickly establish positive working relationships. I have had regular updates and staff respond swiftly to resolve any issues highlighted.'

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff files are in good order to evidence a safe and competent workforce.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

All the required health and safety certificates are in place to ensure a safe living environment.

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Leadership and management good

This home remains financially viable and is efficiently and effectively managed. Staff benefit from the expertise of a well-qualified and particularly child focussed Registered Manager with 18 years relevant experience. He is well grounded in current research which he frequently imparts to the staff to ensure best practice at all times. He also reflects on his learning in a measured manner and makes appropriate positive changes to systems, documents and practice. This ensures continuous improvements to the services provided.

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Leadership and management good

There are equally good deputising arrangements in place. This individual brings energy and consistency to the team and has established good working relationships with external agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children and young people. He has also actively supported new staff to complete their required qualifications and provides ongoing support and supervision to ensure their continued personal development.

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Leadership and management good

The management team are clear about the many strengths of their service and can demonstrate the very positive impact living at this home has on each child and young person. They also ensure that the home is always very well staffed to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children and young people and to meet their unique needs and personal preferences. Consequently, children and young people are well cared for by a stable, suitably qualified, experienced and competent staff team who confirm good support and supervision.

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Leadership and management good

The staff particularly highlight the frequency, relevance and quality of the training provided to ensure their own continued development. Some courses are more specialised and very specific to meet the unique and highly complex needs of the children and young people placed. New staff confirm that they are welcomed into the team and get good support. Comments include, 'My induction was well thought out and planned by my manager', 'I have only been working for the company for six weeks and already done three different types of training and there are many more courses to follow' and, 'My training is kept up to date and all the courses offered are delivered well'. 11 of 12 The management team provides clear direction to the staff and actively encourages them to suggest areas for continued improvement. A recent example being changes to rotas. The appropriate development plan in place to drive continuous improvement

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Leadership and management good

has been full discussed and agreed with the team. This generates a shared sense of responsibility and accountability and maintains good morale, motivation and commitment. Comments from staff include, 'Managers are readily accessible at all time, weekends included', 'All senior staff are easily contactable and very approachable which has made my start with this company much easier', 'The care team are settled and work hard for each other. There is an open and honest attitude with all the staff' and, 'This children's home is a good environment to work in and I feel that all the staff go the extra mile to help the children and young people in any way they can'.

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Leadership and management good

There were no regulatory shortfalls found at the last interim inspection on 24 February 2014. This was as a direct result of the robust internal and external monitoring systems in place. However, due to sudden and unforeseen circumstances, the independent visitor who reported on the quality of care provided at the home every month, was unable to continue in this role. Temporary arrangements were put in place but have proved to be untimely and less effective. Consequently, moving forward, a highly experienced and permanent Regulation 33 visitor has been appointed to address this shortfall.

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Leadership and management good

The up-to-date statement of purpose, revised in line with the recent amendments to legislation, accurately reflects the current aims, policies, practices and staffing of the home. However, it is not available on the company's website. Although this is a breach of regulation, it does not have a direct negative impact on the health and safety of the children and young people.

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Leadership and management good

Children and young people are given a user friendly and meaningful children's guide during the admission process so they understand the services provided and the expectations on their behaviour.

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Leadership and management good

Notifiable events are forwarded to Ofsted in a timely manner. They demonstrate that appropriate action is taken to safeguard and protect the welfare of children and young people in full collaboration with other relevant agencies.

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Leadership and management good

Children and young people's files are securely stored and well maintained. The 'Participation files' in particular provide very positive and personalised memories of their experiences at this home. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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