Children's Home run by Eastfield Group in Sefton

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, two young people have successfully moved back home. Both moves were well planned and in line with the young people’s wishes. One of the young people wrote a letter to the staff saying, ‘thank you for looking after me… Always there when I needed them (all staff).‛ A parent also wrote ‘I would like to thank you all for the care and support over the past year… I am happy at how well she settled…I am grateful for the care and attention and the understanding my daughter has received.′ A further two placements ended prematurely because the staff were not able to reduce the young people’s risk taking behaviours. A social worker for one of the young people emailed the staff saying, ‘I am sorry the placement did not end well…we are aware that you did your best to engage(name) and keep him calm and settled…many thanks to the staff for all their efforts.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three young people have moved into the home recently, with one of these only being three days prior to this inspection. Staff are working hard to build and maintain positive relationships with the young people. Planning for new admissions to the home is generally very good; however a young person recently moved into the home without full information from the placing authority. That said, the manager and her deputy have emailed the placing social worker to request this information.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people have an educational placement and staff support them to attend regularly. However, one young person has recently started to disengage in their placement, while the behaviour of others has the potential to impact on their achievements. Staff continue to work with educational professionals and young people to help them overcome any barriers to their learning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers are in the process of reviewing all young people’s risk assessments, so that staff have a clearer understanding of their needs and the strategies in place to improve their welfare and safety. However, this work is still in its infancy because not all risk assessments have been updated. Therefore this recommendation is repeated. Staff understand the missing from care protocols and work well with police, social workers and families to protect young people. From their starting points there has been a reduction in this behaviour for young people. A young person confirmed that staff keep in touch with him when he is spending time away from the home. Consequently, this helps to keep them safe and feel well cared for.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of the last inspection, there were inconsistencies in the reporting of significant events to Ofsted. The home is able to demonstrate improved practice in this area. As a result, the regulator is able to monitor any action taken to promote the welfare and safety of all young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation to ensure a workforce plan is in place to support the continuing professional development needs of staff has been addressed. Records provide a much clearer picture of the training staff have completed. Managers ensure staff access training to ensure their skills and knowledge remain up-to-date.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

External monitoring provides good oversight of the conduct of the home. Managers take appropriate action to address any shortfalls identified as a result of these visits. This ensures the quality of care is maintained.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 CH - 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 maintain records for each child which includes the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child.(Regulation 36(1)(a)) 29/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are concerns for a child, their placement plan and risk assessments, agreed between the home and their placing authority, must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day to day basis. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 42 paragraph 9.5)

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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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