Children's Home run by After Care (NW) Limited in Sefton

Unique reference number SC051947 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person After Care (N W) Limited Registered person address 31-33 Hoghton Street SOUTHPORT Merseyside PR9 0NS Responsible individual Timothy Arthur Blundell Registered manager POST VACANT / Lisa Jane Hall Date of last inspection 07/07/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 12/03/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection Compliance notices were issued in November and December 2014 . Monitoring visits took place on 5 December 2014 and 7 January 2015 to confirm compliance with these notices.

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

The home has experienced some difficulties since the previous inspection in July 2014. Concerns raised about the home have been closely monitored by Ofsted during this period. However, the appointment of a permanent, experienced manager whose registration with Ofsted is currently on-going, is viewed as a positive step and there are signs the home is starting to move forward and progress.

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This inspection

Placements for young people are stable, with short-term needs being met. The home is being pro-active in its approach to determine how to best meet young people's long-term needs and are working with partner agencies to agree a long term strategy designed to meet those needs.

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This inspection

Young people are settled and say they are happy living at the home. Since the last Ofsted visit in January 2015, there have been no serious behavioural management incidents. Staff are working with external agencies to ensure young people are kept safe.

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This inspection

Consultation levels between staff and young people are good with young people invited to contribute positively to certain aspects of daily life within the home. For example, a young person showed the inspector their bedroom which has just been decorated. The young person confirmed they had chosen the décor and had input when new bedroom furniture was purchased.

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This inspection

There has been improved consistency in the staff team working with young people, which has aided the development of relationships. Young people report they have 3 of 5 good relationships with the staff, which was apparent during the inspection.

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This inspection

The new manager is starting to have a positive impact regarding the organisation and working practices of the home. For example, the formal supervision programme is now being undertaken with improved consistency. The homes statement of purpose, children's guide and a number of risk assessments have been revised and updated recently.

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This inspection

Towards the end of last year, new arrangements for the external monitoring of the home were brought in. This has led to a greater degree of independence for those monitoring. As a result the quality of reports has improved. Checks made during the inspection show that monitoring visits are taking place within the regulatory timeframe. However, Ofsted have no record of receiving copies of any reports since December 2014.

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This inspection

Following the last full inspection in July 2014, one requirement and three recommendations were made. The requirement and two of the recommendations have been fully addressed resulting in improvements to the homes statement of purpose and children's guide. The formal supervision of both the manager and the staff in the home is now taking place with improved consistency. One recommendation linked to obtaining the immunisation and childhood illness records of young people has not yet been fully achieved, despite the efforts of the manager. This recommendation has been repeated. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/07/2014 Full adequate 13/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 13/08/2013 Full adequate 07/01/2013 Interim satisfactory progress

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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 a copy of each written report following monthly external monitoring visits to the home are submitted to Ofsted in a timely manner. 17/04/2015

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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 the health of young people is fully promoted by obtaining the immunisation and childhood illness records of young people and reflecting them in health plans. (NMS 6.5) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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