Children's Home run by Crossway Services Limited in St Helens

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In the four months since the last inspection, there has been one planned exit from the home. The Registered Manager was committed to sustaining the placement, but sadly the young person did not engage with the strategies to stabilise the placement. The Registered Manager reviewed this and a suitable alternative was identified. The young person who recently moved into the home is being supported through effective, detailed risk management plans that provide a comprehensive picture of his background. That said, it is still early days and he is in the process of building trusted and secure relationships with the staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person said he is happy and feels safe. He is benefiting from being cared for by a small, but stable and experienced staff team. He likes living in a single occupancy home without the competing needs of other vulnerable young people. Partnership working is effective because the manager and staff work well with professionals to ensure he is getting the right help and support. Although care planning is of a good standard, the local authority care plan has not been updated to reflect the change in placement. Furthermore, there is no record on the young person’s file that the manager has notified the local authority for the area in which the children's home is located of the new admission.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Currently, the young person is not in full time education or training. Staff are ambitious for him and have approached a local college. In the meantime, they are weaving education into some daily activities while a suitable placement is found. For example, the young person recently planned and bought the materials to build a hutch for his pet rabbit. This opportunity assisted in him learning some new skills, as well giving him a real sense of achievement. High levels of supervision restrict the young person’s ability to mix with young people of a similar age. However, his participation in the wider community is well supported. For example, he has developed a keen interest in fishing and goes regularly. The staff have bought him all the necessary equipment to support his hobby.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Generally young people do not go missing from the home. There has only been one incident since the last inspection. The young person has a plan in place that is in line with agreed protocols should the need arise. Staff have a good understanding of the young person’s risks and vulnerabilities. Risk management plans are compliant with the placing authority and other agency expectations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective procedures are in place to promote the safety and welfare of young people. Safeguarding concerns are immediately shared with the appropriate agencies. Investigations are handled fairly, quickly and in accordance with agreed procedures. There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager continues to provide strong leadership. The post holder provides clear oversight in tracking young people’s progress, to promote positive outcomes. No requirements or recommendations were made at the last inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and managed by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for one young person with emotional and or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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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

The registered person must maintain records for each child which-

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Requirement Due date

(a) include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3. (Regulation 36(1)(a)) 08/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify, without delay, the local authority for the area in which the children's home is located of every admission of a child into the home and every discharge of a child from the home. (Regulation 41(1)) 08/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Where a young person is no longer of compulsory school age, the registered manager and staff must work closely with the placing authority so that the young person is supported and enabled to engage in full time education, an apprenticeship or traineeship.(The Guide to the Quality Standards page 28, paragraph 5.16)

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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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