Children's Home run by Autism Initiatives (UK) in Sefton

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to feel safe and are safe here. They are thriving because of the warm, caring, and nurturing relationships they enjoy with staff. They thoroughly enjoy spending time here and have very active social lives. This has significantly enhanced their confidence and self-esteem when out in the community. A young person greeted me with a handshake and ‘hello, you again’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Other young people where happily engaged in self-chosen activities such as completing a Dr Who puzzle with staff. Staff said young people are now choosing to do more activities on their own that engage their interests such as youth clubs, splash world, trampolining and the cinema. They said it is good to see them expanding their interests although, they still enjoy going swimming together.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Record keeping has much improved. This is because of the additional administration time given to staff each month. Staff said this has enabled them to keep on top of the records and to make sure they are sufficiently detailed and are updated as needed. The Deputy said staff are taking more pride in the files and what they are recording. This means the increase in the detail in files now clearly tell the story of the young person’s time here. ‘All about me’ documentation is a clear example of this. Each document is written from the young person perspective; ‘I can, I would like, I don’t like’ and include many of their own comments to bring them alive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Statement of Purpose is detailed and accurately reflects the levels of care and support provided to young people. This information is effectively shared with parents, carers and placing authorities. Monitoring of the home by the Registered Manager has improved. Their reports are detailed and demonstrate the progress young people are making. For example, an analysis of the physical interventions identified a significant decrease in the number of interventions for one young person before Christmas. Staff identified that while he was still anxious at this time of year he was more able to manage all the changes around him. Staff said this was because they had planned activities more effectively and provided more prompts to him about the changes. Improvements in the garden have opened up new opportunities for young people. They are busily planning what to grow in their new vegetable plot. Staff said the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

renovations to the outhouse provide additional outdoor space. This will be especially welcomed by one young person who loves spending time outdoors. Plans are well underway to fit heating and lighting here so that it will be accessible all year round.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The rear of the property is starting to look tired and worn. However, this is part of the homes development. The fire brigade has recently visited with a view to install sprinklers, this would mean the exhisiting fire escape can be removed and then the rear of the property painted. This will not only enhance the safety of the property but, free up more valuable garden space for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health and well-being has improved. They are more able to carry out their personal care needs with minimal prompts from staff. For example, one young person is now confident to clean his teeth. Young people’s privacy and dignity is highly respected. Staff ensure any intimate care needs such as encopresis are managed sensitively. They work in partnership with health care professionals to try to reduce the incidents of this. As a result, they have seen a decline in this behaviour for some young people. Other young people are eating a wider range of foods and enjoy the opportunities to help staff prepare their meals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Support for young people moving into adult services is effective. Staff are supporting them well in the move, for example taking them for tea visits and talking to them about their future home. They are working in partnership with the families and social worker to ensure they young person enjoys a smooth transition to her new home.

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned by a national organisation. It offers accommodation for seven young people who experience autistic spectrum disorder and a possible learning disability. For young people aged between five and 19 years. Young people who access the home attend the organisation's school. A range of placements are provided in the home, these include 52 weeks, term time, holiday, weekends and short breaks.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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