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

Unique reference number SC063550 Inspector Maria McGranaghan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council Registered person address Children & Young Peoples Services Atlas House, 2 Corporation Street ST. HELENS Merseyside WA9 1LD Responsible individual Jennifer Louise Turnross Registered manager Julie Ann Williams Date of last inspection 14/03/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 16/02/2015

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

This interim inspection will look at the progress and development the home has made since its last full inspection which took place on 21 January 2015. At the time the home’s overall effectiveness was judged as good with four good practice recommendations in order to further develop the service provision in the home.

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This inspection

It is acknowledged that the home has only recently had a full inspection. However, the manager has already taken steps to address the recommendations made. Regulation 33 training is now to be further developed in order that external monitoring provides a detailed analysis of care practice; individual meetings with young people are now planned in order that they can contribute to the appraisal of the staff team; in-house independent training plans are currently being devised in order to maximise young people’s potential and matching processes are being revised in order that the home only accommodates young people whose needs they can reasonably expect to meet.

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This inspection

After a recent period of disruption, young people are now settled and getting back on track. Staffing levels have increased to one-to-one and this has effectively supported young people back into day-to-day routines. Young people present as happy and relaxed around the home.

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This inspection

Young people enjoy a range of in-house and community based activities. During the half term break young people worked with staff to develop a full and varied program of activities. Likewise, where possible, contact arrangements are increased during the holiday period. This enables young people to spend quality time with their relatives either in the home or within their own community.

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This inspection

Safeguarding processes are sound within the home. The manager and staff work seamlessly with external agencies to ensure young people are suitably protected. 3 of 5 Risk assessments are routinely updated and are reviewed during the handover of staff each day. Where concerns arise, the manager is proactive in ensuring all agencies are kept informed and updated.

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This inspection

Young people are routinely consulted on matters arising in the home. Regular weekly young people’s meetings, keywork sessions and general discussions around the dinner table enable young people to express their views about how the service can further develop. Young people fully understand how to make a complaint or raise a concern in the home. They have regular contact with their families, placing social workers and an independent advocate and this ensures further avenues to raise concerns independently from the home.

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This inspection

The educational attainment and achievement of young people is prioritised in the home. Young people have good attendance and make consistent progress within their individual placements. Likewise, young people are provided with additional education support where necessary. This helps them to settle into a school routine where they may have previously struggled. Consequently, young people now view education as part and parcel of their day-to-day lives.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager is consistent in her monitoring of the care provision in the home. She actively responds to developmental issues and strives to provide a consistent high standard of care in order to maximise young people’s potential. Young people are cared for by a well-established staff team. Good relationships are formed and this enhances the foundations upon which young people develop and sustain future friendships.

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This inspection

There are no requirements and recommendations made at this interim inspection. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

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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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/03/2014 Interim good progress 25/10/2013 Full outstanding 11/02/2013 Interim good progress 09/08/2012 Full adequate Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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