Children's home run by PIC Children’s Services in St. Helens

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last 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

The young person living in this home has lived here for six weeks. Prior to this the home was vacant for several months. Initial assessment shows that the young person is making good progress since admission to the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships with staff at this early stage are good. There have been no behaviours that have meant that staff have had to give any sanctions and there has been no necessity to undertake any restraints. The boundaries in place are working well. The young person is beginning to discuss areas of his life that they have found difficult. A specialist organisation is also providing support with these issues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a lot of helpful information in the young people’s welcome pack about how to make a complaint, but to date the young person has not raised any concerns. The staff have approached an independent advocacy service to provide additional support for the young person so he can understand his rights and is aware of independent people to whom he can raise any issues if needed. The home also has good relationships with the neighbours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This young person attends a mainstream school. Attendance is 99% and attainment is good. He is taking four GCSE exams this year and more next year. He comes home from school and completes homework, and staff offer assistance and support if necessary. The organisation has now installed a computer in the home so that young people can access the internet to assist him with education projects and homework. Staff have a password to the computer and regularly check to ensure that this has not been used inappropriately. This helps safeguard the young person from potential risks from social media and is re-enforced through a contract between the young person and the home about the safe use of social media and the internet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Activities that are undertaken mainly revolve around the young person’s interests in keeping fit. For example, playing football in the local park, cycling, going to the gym, playing tennis and badminton. These are in line with his aspirations for his future to pursue a career in a fitness role. In addition, he takes good care of his health by attending health appointments and making healthy food choices, including reading food labels when out shopping and making healthy packed lunches for school. This young person does not engage in any substance misuse and has a good understanding of the benefits and importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Contact is appropriately promoted with people who are important to him whenever possible and when in line with their care plan. Relationships with school friends have been maintained since his admission, which has helped in maintaining some stability in their life.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager of the home is currently on leave, and there are effective arrangements in place during this time. An application to register the interim manager has been sent to Ofsted. Independent visits to the home are regular. The most recent report did not make any recommendations for improvement because the young person had only been there a short while, but it does state that some good observations were made such the positive relationships that were being built between the young person and the staff

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered for one child and the category of registration is that of Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties. It is privately owned.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30 March 2015 Interim Sustained 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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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