Children's Home run by Building Bridges Care Homes Ltd 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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people living in the home have a history of non-engagement in education and difficulties making and sustaining relationships within previous placements. Consequently, the majority of young people have had many moves prior to coming to live at this home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are committed to young people and understand that enabling a young person to come through periods of challenge and difficulty helps them to begin to develop attachments. Evidence of this is seen through all aspects of young people’s lives but particularly in the stability of the placement.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has taken on the challenge to enable all young people to be provided with the most suitable educational placement. They have employed an educational co-ordinator who works with young people on educational tasks while preparing for the transition into school. This has proved successful. Young people are far more confident to engage because they have been prepared at a pace they can tolerate. All young people have a secured educational placement with a progressive timetable.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have a history of being missing from care or have been at risk from exploitation. Although there are occasional instances where young people are reported as missing, on the whole this is an area of significant reduction. Stringent risk management coupled by thorough records, direct work sessions and management discussions ensure that young people’s safety is suitably prioritised both inside and outside of the home. The proactive staff team pre-empt potential concerns and ensure steps are taken to address and minimise risks at all times.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitional arrangements for young people leaving the home are very well planned. Young people are taken through each step and supported in the decisions they make for their future. Records of transitional work highlight the partnership between staff and young people as they make their way onto independent living. The management team have developed excellent monitoring systems to ensure young people’s care is reviewed and updated in accordance with their needs. Young people are now fully involved in the development of their care packages and regularly review the progress they make. Achievable targets encourage young people to achieve and make changes in their lives. They can see the progress they make and this inspires them to take on additional challenges.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

External monitoring reports are excellent. They provide a detailed analysis of the care provided in the home and clear areas for development – which are routinely reviewed. Despite this, external monitoring is not compliant with regulation, which states that external monitoring must be conducted by an ‘independent visitor’ to the home. Currently this monitoring is conducted by the home’s Responsible Individual. In order to be compliant with regulation the home must employ a person independent of the home to conduct external monitoring visits. A requirement is made to address this matter.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has recently experienced a short period of disruption resulting in a first floor fire door being severely damaged. As a result the door is not compliant with fire safety legislation. A requirement is made to address this matter.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home on the whole is suitably maintained. Living space is clean and well- furnished and there are quiet areas in the home should young people wish to use them. Bathrooms have been retiled and the external gardens are well maintained. However, there remains a gap between the cooker and the back splash where food could easily collate and become a contaminant. The dining room table requires replacing or refurbishment due to the large amount of graffiti on the surface. As a result a recommendation is made to address these matters.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

06/11/2013 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

p.4

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and any regulations made under it are complied with in respect of the home. With particular reference to the fitting of operational fire doors (Regulation 25.2 b) 17/04/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person may not appoint the following as an independent person- (f) the responsible individual (Regulation 43 (3) (f)) 30/04/2016

p.4

Recommendations

ensure the home complies with relevant health and safety legislation with regard to food hygiene, with particular regard to repairing gaps in the cooker’s splash back and maintain a domestic rather than institutional environment with regard to graffiti on dining tables (Guide to the Quality Standards 3.9 page 15)

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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

p.7