Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Sefton

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding 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 thrive and make excellent progress as a result of living here. A young person told the independent person about his experiences saying, ‘It was hard at first, I didn’t really know anybody I felt home sick most of the time, and I was getting angry. After time I was getting the hang of things, I felt safe and my relationship with staff and the young people was building up quickly. I was able to talk to staff and relate to peers about my issues. Thanks to the staff I was able to visit home with a smile on my face from start to finish and I coped with things that I couldn’t cope with before. I’ve had one (1) small blip recently but I’m still determined to carry on the good behaviour!’ This young person recently started to have overnight contact with his family. This was as a result of the support from staff who have helped to equip him with the skills to manage their feelings and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

emotions in a more healthy constructive way.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A parent commented upon the excellent communication between them and the staff. They said , ‘ any issues arising are dealt with calmly. We feel supported by staff, and most importantly he is happy and settled.’ They were very complimentary about the level of support received from the Registered Manager and staff, stating that the Registered Manager ‘has helped me feel that I am still X’s mum and involved in his parenting.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy warm, trusting, relationships with staff and are confident to talk to them about anything. This is evident from the recent communications with two former residents who have rung the home to tell staff how they are doing. One, who recently moved in to adult services, rang to say how he had been struggling with the transition, but remembered what the Registered Manager had told him about what to do when he was anxious. He said he did this and was able to talk to his new staff about how he was feeling and they were able to help resolve the problem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one incident of a young person being missing. This was managed well by the Registered Manager and staff who swiftly and effectively initiated the missing from care procedures. The home worked tirelessly with family, friends, police, therapists, and the placing authority to locate the young person and to help them to return home. They young person has reflect upon this experience and said, ‘I know where I want to be now, this is my home and my family.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While this incident was traumatic for all concerned it highlighted the commitment of the staff and their dedication to supporting the young person in making the decisions she needed to make about her future. The young person also demonstrated in subsequent discussions how she kept her self-safe. She said she feels safe here and is working with staff to plan for her future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager and staff are highly committed to the homes ongoing development. Missing from care risk assessments now include information on how the police should best approach young people and they also set out clearly any health care needs they may have. This helps those responding to support young people to interact more productively and lessens young people’s anxieties about engagement with the police. However, one risk assessment has not been updated to reflect the recent incident. This is a recording issue and does not influence the care provided to the young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Maintenance in the home is given the highest priority. The home has recently sustained a lot of damage resulting in holes in walls; effective action is taken to carry out remedial work but, while these areas are safe, they detract from the homeliness of the home. Following a recent incident in the home one bedroom is no longer in use. The windows are boarded on the inside. However, as this window backs on to the rear yard shards of glass can still fall into the area. Also, there is lots of glass in between the cracks in paving flags and in flowerpots. This poses a risk to young people safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have been attempting to clear the area but a substantial amount of glass remains. On the day of inspection staff contacted maintenance to board the outside of the window and hired an industrial hoover to clear the yard of glass. Some individual risk assessments are not clear on what the actual risk are for the young people. Again, this is a minor recording issue the does not affect the care provided to young people. This is because staff have an excellent understanding of their individual and specific needs. They implement effective strategies to reduce or minimise these, such as travelling safely in a vehicle.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person eagerly informed the inspector about his progress at school. He said he still did not like going to school but now liked what he did there. He confidently spoke about the car mechanics course he is undertaking. This has successfully enabled him to carry out the vehicle checks on the homes car, under the watchful eye of staff. This is an excellent idea, which has empowered him and has built his confidence in his knowledge and on-going learning.. He confidently showed the inspector how to identify the correct tyre pressure for her car. He is enthusiastic about the new course he will start in September. This engagement demonstrates how staff work hard to enable young people to learn new skills which will help in preparing for future life opportunities and potential employment. Monitoring of the home continues to be robust and enables the Registered Manager and staff to consider new ways of working. For example, they are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

currently trialling a new placement plan format and behaviour plan with a young person. He is instrumental in the creation of this and has been able to describe to staff using pictures, and colours. The plan is written from his perspective and says, ‘ when I am calm I am yellow, I listen, and I am helpful and chatty. When I am stroppy I am green. I back chat and walk of and my heart rate goes up. So talk to me and check my Fitbit to see how fast my hearts is going.’ This is very much in its infancy and is to be closely monitored over the next few weeks, but has already enabled the young person to take some control over his care and support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

His placement plan is now in three different formats: one for staff, one for when the young person is calm and a further pictorial plan for when he is struggling. The accessibility of the planning documents encourages more meaningful consultation and ensures they have a say about their care and support: effectively empowering him and enhancing his confidence and self-esteem.

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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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Enhance further the procedures to be followed should a young person be missing from care, in particular ensure risk assessments are sufficiently detailed and outline the actual action to be taken to try to locate the young person and when to notify the police. (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, remove the glass in the rear yard. (Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 42, paragraph 9.7)

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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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