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

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

The Registered Manager has been in post since the home was registered in June 2014. He has the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to manage the home. He also has management responsibility for a further two homes in the organisation. An established deputy manager works in this home, to support him. They have the respect of staff and the young people who live here. They have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager demonstrates a commitment to improve the life chances of the young people who live here. He commands a similar commitment from his staff team and takes appropriate actions in relation to poor performance, when required. For example, he has been quick to address a decline in cleanliness of the home, as he felt that standards had slipped. He reminded staff of their responsibilities and the situation has improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to have a positive impact on the progress of those who live here. The two settled young people receive consistent care, clear boundaries and good routines. They continue to make progress across all areas of their development. They feel that this is truly their home and have challenged professional staff who refer to the setting as a children’s home. This reflects how settled and secure young people feel. Positive feedback received from professionals working with the home also supports this. One commented, ‘Staff are sensitive to the young person’s needs and provide appropriate and supportive care. Improvement in his behaviour is evident. This is an excellent placement.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been minimal staff changes since the last inspection, ensuring stability and consistency for young people. Young people respond well to staff and enjoy spending time with them. They have shared a number of exciting activities over the summer months. This includes, jet skiing and Segway riding.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are happy to engage in activities together and enjoy a relationship similar to that of siblings. One young person recently celebrated a birthday. He chose to include his fellow resident in his celebration and was grateful for the generous birthday gift he received from him. However, young people also have their own friends in the community and choose to engage in activities apart. For example, attendance at a local youth club and playing tick rugby.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements and one recommendation were made at the last full inspection of the home in February 2016 and the Registered Manager has taken action to address these. Concerns were identified in relation to the quality of information held on agency staff employed at the home but this has now improved. However, there have been omissions in relation to reference checks completed on one new employee. This does not ensure the integrity of individuals employed to work in the home. Consequently, this has resulted in a similar requirement being raised as following the last inspection, as the organisation have yet to demonstrate consistency in relation to the safe recruitment of staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have made amendments to young people’s health care plans to ensure that there is clarity about the actions that staff need to take if young people refuse to take their prescribed medication. The introduction of a tracker helps indicate when this has occurred. Staff have also liaised with health care practitioners when there has been a change in the young person’s habits that in turn may affect their medical condition. In these circumstances staff complete work with the young person about this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager has made improvements in terms of all staff being familiar with the individualised plans for young people. While staff working permanently in the home can demonstrate familiarity with these, this was not always evident for some agency or relief staff working in the setting for an occasional shift. In these circumstances staff are now reminded of their responsibility to familiarise themselves with the needs and routines for young people prior to their shift. The system implemented has been effective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s statement of purpose outlines the aims and objectives of the service. It is subject to regular review. However, the most recent update was not sent to Ofsted as required by regulation.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is one of a number of homes operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/02/2016 Full Good 03/09/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 27/11/2014 Full Good

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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

ensure that staff recruitment procedures are designed to ensure children's safety; specifically that the principles of safer recruitment are followed and full and satisfactory information is available in relation to any individual working in the home (Regulation 32(1)(3)(d)). 31 October 2016

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Requirement Due date

ensure that HMCI is notified of any revisions to the statement of purpose and is sent a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision (Regulation 16(3)(b)). 31 October 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. 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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