Children's home run by Young Foundations Limited in Wirral

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Required Improvement at the last 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

The home’s response to the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection is good with a journey of improvement clear.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships with the local and placing authority head of the virtual school are now maximised to assist when young people do not attend, or make progress in education. Bullying, aggression and damage is no longer a problem. The current group of young people get on, talk to each other, and enjoy communal life at the house. This group is well matched and consequently, levels of well-being are also good. No-one is more vulnerable to any other. There is now a more experienced and skilled staff team. The registered person no longer relies on new staff to lead shifts. All staff in charge of the home day or night, have completed their probation and induction period.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered person is now offering care for young people within the home’s registration categories. It no longer caters for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The new statement of purpose declares specialisms for young people with a mental health diagnosis, learning difficulties and Autism. It gives good information about clinical support, therapists and models used to support mental disorder. Young people’s risky and self-injurious behaviour is now well managed and documented. Significant incidents and crisis caused by mental health anxieties have been really well supported to enable young people to maximise their independence and continue to do well in education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Documents are now of a good standard, up to date and good quality. Young people’s risk management plans now do reflect the good work carried out in practice. Independent monitoring reports are now sent by the visitor directly to Ofsted and show more consultation with family and placing authorities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered provider protects young people. Safeguarding training and child protection practice is good, including when young people are at risk through their own vulnerabilities. Staff work effectively on strengthening young people’s self- protective skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are making good progress. Their risks are better managed and their well-being and achievements are supported and celebrated by staff. Their setbacks and anxieties are well understood and creative planning helps them to regain ground and keep their lives on a healthy and positive track. Young people have successfully stopped smoking. Excellent educational and good therapeutic support is part of a well-coordinated holistic service. Staff have stepped in with creative, non-stigmatising strategies to maintain normality when extreme anxiety has resulted in incidents there, or when young people struggle to engage. One young person, admitted since the last inspection, was pleased with her progress. She described her experience as good, that she had underestimated how good it would be. Staff are proactive about health outcomes and contribute well to reassessments. They know when young people are dipping into low mood and says they, ‘get

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

alongside them at those points.’ Attendance has improved for all. They learn independence and practical skills and this is clear from really good folders of evidence, containing pictures and photos that will be a great help for young people in demonstrating their competence to future housing providers and employers. Excellent, democratic young people’s meetings are real opportunities for young people to have their say. The respect for young people is evident in the staff and manager’s written replies to their record of the minutes. This experience increases young people’s confidence and some take part in their statutory reviews for the first time. Closely supportive and effective management ensures that young people do not ‘stand still.’ The manager and deputy are a strong team, modelling creative thinking and efficient action. They have a systematic approach that combines good regulatory understanding with a supportive, child-focused direction to staff:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

chasing and reminding, supporting, and encouraging good practice. Good staff training and advice from the organisation’s consultant psychologist helps staff to meet young people’s assessed needs. Excellent advocacy by the registered manager on behalf of young people delivers the resources and decisions needed to help them progress. She has given effective challenge to local authority partners about young people’s education, future placement decisions and about the quality of their social work support. The registered person and the management team have worked hard to improve young people’s experience, through a cycle of monitoring, review, planning and action. It is now a reflective, effective service, increasingly well trained and skilful staff are really meeting the needs of a well-defined group of young people. One young person said: ‘For being in the situation, it’s a pretty good place.’

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Information about this children's home

The children’s home is registered to provide for six children and young people with mental disorders and learning difficulties. Young people may stay after the age of 18 to complete their education. The home is one of two operated nationally by a national private organisation. A DfE registered school also operates on site, in a separate building. Some young people may attend.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

09/01/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

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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