Children's home run by Good Foundations Limited in Wirral

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’s life chances have significantly improved due to the care and support they receive from committed, skilled and nurturing staff. Their safety and welfare is central to the childcare practices and young people spoken with say they feel happy, settled and safe. Young people are cared for very well and all their individual needs including health, education and emotional wellbeing are fully met by the staff. As a result, they feel safe, happy and develop very positive attachments with the staff team. Young people said ‘I love it here, the staff are great and have really helped me’, ‘Couldn’t think of anywhere else I would rather be.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has taken effective action to address the previous requirements. The environment within the home has been improved with rooms decorated and furniture purchased. Weekly targets charts have been introduced with young people, around their bedrooms and taking responsibility in maintaining a clean environment, with staff support. Targets have incentives, which have supported young people to make improvements whilst increasing their independence skills. Young people have been involved in the plans for choosing the colour of the new front door and re-designing and decorating the kitchen. One young person said ‘can’t wait it will look sound, we even got a choice of colours’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Care planning has significantly improved with a clear emphasis on more target- focused work. The registered manager has also introduced a progress-monitoring tool, which demonstrates the progress and experience of young people. Young people are now fully involved in the process and have the opportunity to add their comments and views. One young person had written ‘I had not realised how much I had progressed until I read this. I feel that Merseypark was, and still is the best place for me. All the staff have helped me through different stages in my life and have really helped me control my emotions over the past 2 years.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although there have been improvements in the recording of sanctions and room searches. These still lack clarity around the details of the young person’s behaviour that led to the use of the measure. For example, records stated ‘negative behaviour towards staff’, with no further explanation. This prevents through evaluation of the consequences, as information is not clearly detailed. There had also been instances where room searches were completed to safeguard young people. However, on occasions the reasons for the search and any follow up actions were not sufficiently detailed. This reflects short falls in the recordings of behaviour management strategies, rather than staff practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people say they feel safe and well cared for. The trusting relationships that they have developed with the staff mean that they feel comfortable talking about things that worry them. Young people said ‘Staff will listen and help us if we need it’. All staff have attended safeguarding training and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Staff said ‘training is informative and gives us the confidence to deal with any safeguarding issues. We also discuss what we have learnt in supervision to make sure we get it right.’ The manager has also implemented internet safety training and is currently arranging additional Child Sexual Exploitation training for all staff. Clearly, the training provided supports staff in effectively safeguarding young people and future training will continue to inform their practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although there has been an increase in incidents of missing from home, staff are fully aware of their responsibilities and what action to take. The home has effective protocols in place, which staff consistently follow, to manage risk and minimise potential harm. Staff actively look for young people when incidents occur and notify all relevant professionals within a timely way. This includes the police, homes manager and local authority social workers. When young people return they are provided with an opportunity to discuss the incident with an independent person. This is used as an opportunity for learning by the staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Strong and effective leadership and management ensures that the home is run in the young people’s best interests. New and effective monitoring systems provide the manager with a clear picture of the homes strengths and areas for development. She continues to be focused on improving the quality of care and ensuring young people ‘get the best that can be provided.’ Staff said ‘She is an excellent manager, approachable, fair and always striving to make improvements for the better for young people’.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children's home provides care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/02/2015 Interim sustained 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 ensure that—within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes;- details of the child's behaviour leading to the use of the measure; a description of the measure and its duration; details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(iv)) 28/04/2016

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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. procedures set out in 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

regulates and inspects to 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

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Information about this inspection

Policy Team, 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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