Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Sefton

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceeds the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people are safe and feel safe here. They have an extremely strong affiliation with the staff and the home. They said this is our home. Parents said the staff are the ‘next best thing to mum and dad’ for their son. One young people who is due to move on said, he did not want to go as this was his home, but knew he had to as he was now an adult and ‘adults do not live in children’s homes’.  Young people are increasing in independence. Some now travel to and from college on their own. Though they are not afraid to ask for a lift home when it is raining.  Young people are very aware of their own health care needs. They understand how certain liquids or foods may impact upon the medication they are taking. They are aware of the importance of healthy eating and good personal hygiene and said they do not always get it right but they are learning.  Highly effective communication systems mean young people have a very clear

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

voice in everything the home does. They are at the very heart of everything staff do. They are consulted and supported to make decisions about their own well-being at the appropriate level of understanding, for example, creating their own care plans. Parents said, ‘our son has been supported with the upmost care, particularly during difficult times and has been encouraged in a positive way to overcome difficulties and always with understanding.’  Young people are cared for by an extremely committed staff team. They are led by an enthusiastic Registered Manager and deputy. There are some very minor recording issues the home needs to consider with regards to the recording of medication when on outings and missing from care risk assessment, and some maintenance work.  All staff work tirelessly to ensure all young people get the right support for them. A parent said, ‘This care home is such a wonderful place and all the staff

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

in it. We will be forever grateful for all that they have done for our son. They have helped turn his life around and saved him really. For that we be eternally grateful and are so blessed to have the opportunity for him to be there.’

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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

 Enhance further the procedures to be followed should a young person be missing from care, in particular information passed to police pertaining to their health needs and how police should approach the young person. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 45, paragraph 9.28)

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Recommendations

 Ensure staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. In particular ensure doors leading to hazardous materials or areas, for example, the electrical cupboard and bathroom in the basement are secured. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 42, paragraph 9.7)

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Recommendations

 Enhance the recording of medication provided to children when on outings. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and support to six young people with learning disabilities. The home is one of several owned and managed by a limited company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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outstanding

Young people are thriving in a warm, welcoming, homely environment. The progress of young people is exceptional across all areas of their development. As a result of living here their life chances and opportunities are significantly enhanced.

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outstanding

They thoroughly enjoy extremely positive relationships with staff which are built upon honesty and trust. This is evident from the significant progress one young person has made since coming to live in the home. He is much more able and confident to communicate with staff. He now enjoys talking to staff. He still uses his communication aids, but this is a massive achievement for him. Social worker’s said this is because he feels safe and is happy. A parent said, ‘this is definitely the best place for him to be. Nobody ever thinks their child will need to go into a care home, however we have 100% faith in all that they do for our son. We know that they care for him and understand exactly as we do as his parents.’ Staff actively listen to young people. They are genuinely interested in what they have to say and welcome their suggestions as to what they or the home can differently. For example, some young people would like to get rid of the healthy

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outstanding

eating guide, however, due to the honest and open relationships with staff they understand why this is in place and although they may not agree with it, are more accepting of it. As a result, they are trying different foods and are engaging more in physical activities. This has improved upon their health and well-being.

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outstanding

Young people are much more independent and are increasing in confidence in their own abilities. They are are heavily involved in their day-to-day care needs. A young person said he knew his personal hygiene was not where it should be, but he was learning because of the gentle reminders by staff. Consequently, he was much more confident to carry out his daily routines. Other young people are taking a more active role in devising a healthy eating plan. This has helped them to steadily eat a healthier diet and to loose weight.

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outstanding

Young people know about and do access a range of health care services. One young person explained how he enjoyed going to the Chapel with the home’s therapist to ‘just to sit and be me’ as it is so quiet. Another young person explained how he felt confident to talk to their therapist and this had helped him to make sense of the world.

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outstanding

Young people know how to make a complaint and know that this will be taken seriously by staff. The Registered Manager said she was presented with four complaints one morning by a young person. She sat with him and talked through his issues. At the end he thanked her for listening and explaining things to him. He went away satisfied with the outcome. Other young people said they can talk to staff and their advocate if they needed help or support.

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outstanding

All young people are making good progress with regards to their education. One young person said ‘school was amazing today’ as he had not had any interventions. He spoke candidly about this, explained it was always a Wednesday as he struggled in school following two days vocational learning. He was keen to explain how staff had given him some coping strategies to manage his anxieties and this had worked that day.

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outstanding

The Registered Manager and staff are working well with the virtual heads to ensure suitable education for one young person who is moving into adult services. In the interim period they are continuing with his independence learning; for example going to his favourite supermarket to buy his food. He enthusiastically tells me about how he fill his pasta pot and where to buy the best meat and potatoes pies from.

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outstanding

An extensive range of self-chosen activities is available to all young people. This means they are able to engage in activities that truly capture their individual interests and tastes, such as pamper sessions, going to skateboard ramps, cycling and swimming. One young person eagerly told me about their impending football match and how staff were always there to cheer him on. This opportunity and support from staff has significantly improved upon their young person’s self- esteem. He is much more articulate. He now has the ability to reflect upon past experiences and to learn from them. He proudly explained how he had not been held in the home from three months.

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outstanding

Several young people are looking forward to their October holiday. They are saving their pocket money in the bank and with the Registered Manager and so far have £74 saved to spend when they are away. Others have saved money to purchase a scooter and go-cart which they love to race around on.

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outstanding

Staff’s constant aim for young people is that they have the best chance at becoming adults who live fully in society. A young person, who is in the throes of moving on, spoke confidently about how he feels apprehensive about moving on but knows that the staff ‘have got my back’. He said they encouraged him to listen to music on his IPod as this helps him to relax and means he cannot hear anyone else who may be upset.

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outstanding

He talked enthusiastically about the party staff did for his 18 th birthday, he chose a meal at the pub. He explained that he had, had two Shandys, but did not have any more as it may have affected his medication and that would not be good. Also he did not want to become an alcoholic and everything should be in moderation. This young person has flourished under staff’s care and has become a confident young man who is able to take more responsibility for his own health and well-being. The Registered Manager and staff are not afraid to challenge placing authorities where they feel they may not be acting in the best interests of a young person. They are very strong advocates for young people. They are currently working in partnership with an authority where a placement move has been unexpectedly delayed. His Social worker said, ‘I have to give high praise and credit to the Registered Manager and staff. They have been fabulous and have fully supported

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outstanding

him during this time. They have sheltered him from a lot of this and helped to reduce his anxieties. They are marvellous!’ The young person said how he loved his story of his time in the home and how he and staff had put it together so he could look back fondly on his time here.

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outstanding

Young people said they feel safe and are safe here. This is because staff have an excellent understanding of the home’s child protection and safeguarding procedures. This means they are able to act quickly and effectively to any emerging concerns, such as disclosures made by young people. Excellent records are maintained and monitored in respect of all aspects of safety and protection; including comprehensive individual risk assessments. This means any issues are quickly identified and rectified and also enables young people to take safe appropriate risks. This includes travelling independently to college.

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outstanding

Young people do not go missing from the home. They are exceptionally well supported by staff. They explain that sometimes they need some space and will walk to ‘the green’. Young people said they know staff follow them and this is to keep them safe. Effective links with police community safety officers (PCSOs) encourage young to develop positive relationships with police which means they are more likely to approach them if they need assistance while out in the community. Individualised risk assessments outlining the action to take should a young person be missing are clear.

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outstanding

Staff’s innate understanding of the young people means they quickly identify when young people are feeling upset or anxious. Young people said the staff talk to them about how they can manage their anxieties and they have put plans into place with staff to reduce these. Consequently they can initiate strategies to support young people and reduce their anxieties, such as listening to music, going for a walk or simply talking to staff. This means the use of physical interventions is minimal.

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outstanding

The staff work extremely well in partnership with other agencies. They said ‘The needs of the young people are discussed continuously. There is always someone on the end of a phone’. A social worker said ‘I cannot fault the information I received about him or the high levels of clear communication I have with them, they are brilliant!’

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outstanding

The home is well maintained and provides a warm, homely environment which effectively meets young people’s diverse needs. Young people’ bedrooms are decorated to their own personal tastes and needs. This includes their favourite football team adorning their walls or a minimalistic feel to their room. Either way the rooms clearly reflect the uniqueness of each young person and their chosen décor.

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outstanding

The Registered Manager is an inspirational and dynamic leader. She uses research from the Autistic Society and the NSPCC, and attends conferences with staff to inform practice within the home. For example, creating additional individualised time lines to reduce young people’s anxieties. This means all staff have high, but reasonable aspirations for each young person regardless of their starting point.

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outstanding

Staff said, they provide a well-managed home which is designed to meet each young person individual needs. ‘We are committed to providing a safe environment. We give care to the highest standard. We all work together with parents, carers, and social workers.’ This means each young person receives bespoke care that enables them to become, happy and confident individuals who are able to move on to the next stage in their lives.

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outstanding

Monitoring of the home is robust and means little is missed. Record keeping is very detailed and allows the uniqueness of each young person to shine. There are two very minor recording issues. The medication administered to young people when on outings is not consistently recorded to the home’s own high standard. The missing from care information would benefit from guidance as to how police should approach a young person if there were missing or information about their medical needs. Also the daily checks on the premises had not identified that the electrical cupboard and out of use bathroom doors had not been locked. This posed a risk to young people’s safety and was addressed during the inspection.

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outstanding

Robust assessment and matching processes ensure young people coming to live at the home will gain the most from the placement. The Registered Manager effectively analyses the current group of young people and the likely impact upon them and the new young person. Consequently the newest young people have settled in well with a limited amount of disruption to themselves or others in the home.

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outstanding

One young person said ‘he has become more anxious as didn’t feel he wanted to talk to the new young people. But, he knew it was impolite so made the effort. I have to as I am an adult.’ This insightful and reflective practice by young people is indicative of the support they have received from staff.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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