Children's home in St. Helens

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints, allegations or child protection referrals since the home was registered in March 2015.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two requirements made at the last full inspection in September 2015 have been satisfactorily addressed. Consequently, the statement of purpose has been revised to accurately reflect the qualifications and experiences of all the staff working at the home. This shows that two out of the five permanent team and the two relief members of staff have yet to complete the qualification required of their respective roles.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Training records show that all the staff have now completed: missing from home and child sexual exploitation awareness training; a course enabling them to act as appropriate adults at the police station and thereby uphold young people’s rights; and, training to equip them with the necessary skills and confidence to supervise contact.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In September 2015, the two young people were happy and settled at this home and there were no incidents of going missing. They were attending school every day and progressing well and actively engaging in a wide range of constructive activities. Rewards for good behaviour and efforts were having the desired effects, so they were not being restrained.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since September, one of the young people has successfully returned home in line with the placing authority care plan and his wishes. However, notice was recently served on a young person because the home could no longer keep him safe. Nevertheless, the manager successfully advocated on his behalf to avoid a secure order and assessments are currently underway to explore the possibility of him returning home, which is his preference.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from a stable and competent staff team but for one young person the pull to be with his family and friends was too strong. Consequently, he increasingly showed little interest in getting involved in activities organised by the home. A member of staff was full of optimism when he recently chose to go on a walk with her to one of his favourite locations. However, as soon as they returned, he ran away from the home. Another member of staff said, ‘I have tried diversion techniques including a trip to the seaside, but he was just not interested.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The frequency and duration of missing from home incidents have significantly increased since the last inspection and one young person was regularly found a significant distance from the home. This culminated in him being arrested for a serious offence and bailed out of the area.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Being missing has clearly negatively impacted on his previously good school attendance and on his immediate and long term health. In fact, he was recently described by staff on his return as looking, ‘thin and tired.’ There are also three known occasions of drink and drug use.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home have established good partnership working with the police and the young person’s family to try to ensure a safe return. Harbouring notices have also been effectively served to minimise specific risks. There is clear evidence of: appropriate challenge from the staff towards other safeguarding agencies if they feel they are not being sufficiently pro-active; and, the home organising multi- agency meetings to share their concerns and to agree strategies to keep young people safe. The staff also involved a local charity in displaying posters at public transport stations to try to locate him quickly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Minutes of the last multi agency meeting acknowledge that the home, ‘have done everything in their power to support this young person’ and the local chief inspector stated that he was impressed with how pro-active the staff had been. However, it is clear that this young person was no longer investing in the placement and didn’t engage with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The timeliness of independent return interviews, with which the young person did engage, has improved since the last inspection. He consistently said he was not unhappy at this home but wanted to be with his family and friends. Via the return home interviews he reported that; ‘I ran because I didn’t want to spend Christmas in care. I spent Christmas day with friends who have their own flat. I didn’t go to family because I didn’t want to get them in trouble. Most times I don’t plan to go missing. It just happens when I get the feeling.’ The young person recently admitted, he did not want to come to this home, but this was not explored in the impact risk assessment, nor were his preferences. He did visit the home prior to admission, but this good practice is also not recorded. In sharp contrast, the views of the young person already in placement were ascertained. He said, ‘I am okay about him moving in and happy that we are the same age.’ He was offered a move

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to the bigger bedroom but declined saying it just meant that there was more space to keep clean and tidy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Five months on and this young person is starting to settle. He said, ‘I want to stay at this children’s home, but I want to move schools.’ The staff have ensured good school attendance from the outset, which is significant progress given his previous history. However, he remains highly disruptive in class.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

He has made a friend in the local community, which is significant progress from his starting point and serves to strengthen his sense of belonging. He said, ‘We are going out for tea together tonight and then to the youth club. I also go to cadets and have now got my full uniform. I am very excited because I am going on a two day army camp soon.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

He has highly complex needs with associated challenging behaviours and initially there were a high number of restraints. This was due to frequent assaults on staff and damage to property. Not all of the records accurately reflect the number of holds used, particularly during a sustained incident. Young people are actively encouraged to add their comments to the records. The home has also produced a simple pictorial feedback sheet for one young person with learning difficulties to aid his reflection of the incident leading to the restraint. However, he has extremely limited recall, so a recommendation has been made to source independent advocacy to help him with this process.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is currently producing a more user friendly children’s guide for this young person so it is a more meaningful document. However, this document was not provided in a suitable format when the placement was agreed over five months ago.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In general, required records are maintained to a good standard. However, there were some issues around objectivity and accuracy in monthly summaries.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback from placing authorities on the quality of care provided at this home is consistently positive. Recent comments include, ‘The care given to my young person is to a high standard’ and, ‘The staff work to the individual care plan and promote the child’s wishes and feelings at all times.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements are made in respect to the internal and external monitoring processes in place. In particular, the independent visitor is consistently visiting the home during school hours. This means he is not consulting with young people who attend school. Also, given that staff support one young person’s emotional, behavioural and learning needs throughout his school day, their views are also not being elicited.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager’s last review report on the quality of care provided in the home is a detailed and evaluative document which clearly explores patterns and trends. However, it does not demonstrate that the process includes ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff.

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Information about this children's home

This is a private children’s home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people at any given time who may be experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the monthly independent visits include consultations with young people living at the home and persons working at the home. (Regulation 44(2)(a)) 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the quality of care review report includes the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(5)) 30/04/2016

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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 that young people who need additional support are offered the opportunity to access an independent advocate to help them reflect on serious incidences leading to restraints. (The Guide, page 50, paragraph 9.60)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that an age and ability appropriate children's guide is made available to all children when their placement is agreed and the home must demonstrate that the contents are explained to each child to make sure they fully understand it. (The Guide, page 24, paragraph 4.21)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording and in particular regard, but not limited to: monthly summaries, restraint records and impact risk assessments. (The Guide, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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