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

Unique reference number SC022442 Inspector Marian Denny Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person PIC Children's Services Limited Registered person address 2 North Street Haydock ST. HELENS Merseyside WA11 0TW Responsible individual Carol Fletcher Registered manager Gemma Ann Dinsmore Date of last inspection 09/07/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 24/02/2015

p.1

Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

This inspection

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

p.2

This inspection

In the previous inspection in September 2014, the overall quality rating for this home was judged as good. One requirement was made regarding the Statement of Purpose so that it included the range of needs for the children who are to be cared for. A further three recommendations were raised. These were regarding the premises and the introduction of a system to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping and to take action when needed.

p.2

This inspection

The Registered Manager has responded promptly to the requirement and recommendations. She has revised the Statement of Purpose so that it contains all the required regulatory information. The home has been refurbished and is now very comfortable and homely. The quality assurance systems have improved and the quality of the home’s records enhanced.

p.2

This inspection

Since the last inspection one young person has left the home and staff endeavoured to make this transition for the young person as smooth and easy as possible.

p.2

This inspection

In September 2014, another young person began living in the home and is developing very positive relationships with staff. As a result, she is beginning to make some progress in a variety of areas of her life. For example, she has started to talk about issues that are worrying her, missing from home incidents have significantly decreased and there has been an increase in her confidence and self- esteem. She is also attending all her medical appointments, including those with the children and adolescent mental health service and is working hard to stop smoking. She receives home tuition, is engaging well with her home tutor and is making real progress in her education. Consideration is currently being given to her home tuition being increased and ultimately for her to attend a college course.

p.2

This inspection

Staff provide the young person with good care and support and she has said, ‘She 3 of 5 feels safe and happy living in this home’. One of her parents was spoken with and said, ‘Staff are brilliant, they are very professional and understanding. They are really looking after my daughter well. II cannot fault them.’

p.2

This inspection

Partnership working is good. Placing social workers and professionals from other agencies state communication between themselves and staff in the home is, ‘Very good’, as they are regularly updated on what is happening to the young person. This ensures that everyone involved with the young person is fully informed and as a result they are able to work consistently together to improve outcomes. Health services are appropriately accessed in response to young people's health needs. This ensures their health outcomes improve.

p.3

This inspection

Since living in the home there have been two safeguarding incidents that have arisen. The manager appropriately followed safeguarding procedures and dealt with both these matters very effectively.

p.3

This inspection

The home provides a detailed Statement of Purpose and children's guide. These comprehensive documents give a clear overview of what placing social workers, parents, children and young people can expect from the service. There are clear plans in place to ensure the staff team have the necessary training to ensure they are professionally competent and well equipped to meet the complex needs of any child or young person placed in this home.

p.3

This inspection

Records are in place to support health and safety measures within the home, including effective environmental risk assessments. Checks, such as appliance testing, fire tests, electrical and gas certificates are in place; this shows that facilities and services within the home are assessed as safe.

p.3

This inspection

Since the last inspection, the systems have been totally revised to ensure that appropriate and effective records are implemented and maintained in respect of children and young people living in this home. These enhanced recording systems will provide young people with an overview of their experience and time while living at the home. The organisation is also intending to move to an electronic recording system in 2015.

p.3

This inspection

No shortfalls were identified in this inspection and as a result no requirements or recommendations have been made. 4 of 5

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation and provides care and accommodation for one young person with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/07/2014 Full good 20/12/2013 Interim not judged 11/06/2013 Full good 19/02/2013 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5