Children's Home run by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council in St Helens

Good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.2

The children’s home provision is good because:

 Young people live in a very caring environment and are cared for by committed and supportive staff who know them well. Young people have positive experiences and make good progress in their lives.  Staff have a very good understanding and knowledge of young people’s needs and the risks that young people face.  The quality of care planning in the home has improved. The plans now show each young person’s journey, outcomes, current situation and future plans.  Staff support and encourage young people with their education and take appropriate action when progress is not satisfactory or when young people’s education provision is not meeting their educational needs.  Young people’s healthcare needs are well met. Staff have a clear understanding of each young person’s health needs, and promote a healthy lifestyle for them.  The home engages well with partner services to ensure that young people get the best possible support.

p.3

The children’s home provision is good because:

 Staff take appropriate action to safeguard young people. However, records do not consistently show this.  Missing-from-care records need to be strengthened to ensure that they contain all information about missing episodes and provide an accurate account of what happened and the action taken.  Although regular reviews of risk assessments take place, they do not include all of the known risks for individual young people.  The monitoring and review systems in place at the home need to be stronger. In particular, the external monitoring by the independent person needs to improve, as does the review of the home’s location.  The records in the home need to be up to date and include the author, date and time of entries.

p.3

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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 within the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to ensuring that staff take action to protect children when they consider them to be at risk of child sexual exploitation, the registered person must ensure

p.4

Requirement Due date

(2)(a) that staff – (i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child's relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; and (vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies; (b) that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm; (e) that the effectiveness of the home's child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(b))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to young people playing 18+ games in the home and risk assessments being up to date, including all known risks and how these will be managed. 30/01/2017

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if a child is involved in or subject to, or is 30/01/2017 suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; or when an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(a)(b)) 36: Children's case records

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ('case records') for each child which: (b) are kept up to date (c) are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36(2)(b)(c)) 30/01/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12 (2)(c) (the protection of children standard). When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46(1)(2)) 30/01/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 Ensure that any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home's care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

p.5

Recommendations

 Statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care sets out the steps that local authorities and their partners should take to prevent children from going missing and to protect them when they go missing. Children's homes should have regard to the relevant aspects of this guidance. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 45, paragraph 9.25)

p.5

Recommendations

 Records must be kept detailing all individual incidents when children go missing from the home. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 45, paragraph 9.25 and page 46, paragraph 9.31)

p.5

Information about this children's home

The home is owned and managed by a local authority and provides accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.6

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 29/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 12/01/2016 Full Good 16/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/01/2015 Full Good

p.6

Good

Young people live in a warm, nurturing and supportive home. They receive high- quality, individualised care from staff that are committed to ensuring that young people’s needs are well met and that their outcomes are improved. Consequently, young people are happy and settled, and enjoy their time at the home. A young person said, ‘I was not very nice when I first moved in here, but I am much better now due to the support from staff. I had always said that I wanted to leave the home once I was 16 years old, but now I want to stay forever.’

p.7

Good

Young people have strong, trusting relationships with staff that listen to them. There are good systems in place to obtain young people’s views, wishes and feelings, for example, through discussions during key-work sessions, young people’s meetings and spending time talking on a daily basis. This helps to ensure that their views are central to any plans and decision-making going forward. One young person said, ‘I talk to my key worker every day and I know she listens to me. When we talk about specific issues relating to me, including when I have been missing from home, my education and family, she will write it down and I read and sign it.’

p.7

Good

The engagement in education for young people living at the home is variable. Staff have identified that when young people are not engaging in education it is largely due to it not being an appropriate placement. Staff have effectively challenged education professionals to ensure that appropriate education provision is in place, which young people will engage in. When this happens, outcomes are good and young people’s individual education needs are met.

p.7

Good

Young people are fully supported in relation to all areas of their health and development, including their physical and emotional well-being. Staff members respond appropriately to the health needs of young people and seek advice from health professionals when necessary. Young people regularly attend routine health checks, including optician and dental appointments, and they are up to date with their children looked after health assessments. They are well supported to learn about healthier lifestyle choices by specialist staff brought in from an external provider, as well as the home’s cook. Both offer good advice and spend time cooking healthy meal options with young people. This promotes a positive, healthy environment for young people who develop a good understanding of the benefits of adopting a healthier lifestyle. This will ultimately have a positive impact on their health and well-being now and in the future.

p.7

Good

Young people’s contact arrangements have improved because staff members work closely with their social workers and family members to overcome difficulties that may arise. For example, staff have been proactive in identifying the reasons why and when family members have been unable to attend and have come up with solutions such as assistance with transport or financial support. The home makes family members very welcome and provides them with food and a private space to enjoy their contact time together. A family member said, ‘The staff treat me like their family: they collect me for contact and make meals for me when I am having contact at the home. I really enjoy spending time in the home.’ This approach means that young people have regular contact with people who are important to them and that they can spend meaningful time together in the home.

p.7

Good

Young people receive good support and guidance to help them develop their life skills in preparation for moving on to independent or semi-independent living. The four young people who have lived in the home for some time are due to move on within the next year or so. The registered manager and staff have recognised that they will need a considerable amount of advice, guidance and support in preparation for moving, and therefore are in the process of completing an in-depth independence package to develop skills in shopping, cooking and managing money. This independence work includes visiting external providers to highlight what accommodation and support are available for young people when they are ready to move on. In addition, staff from the home will provide outreach support after young people have moved on and until they are settled and receiving appropriate levels of support from others. This will support young people emotionally and

p.8

Good

practically to enjoy a successful transition when moving on from the home.

p.8

Good

Young people are encouraged to take part in a wide range of social and recreational opportunities that are specific to their individual needs and interests. For example, a young person has pursued their interest in fishing and has tried night fishing during a camping holiday, which is something they had always wanted to do. Another young person regularly attends the fire cadets after their interest was captured following sessions with the fire service in relation to the risks relating to fire-setting. Staff actively sourced a place for the young person at the fire cadets, which they thoroughly enjoy. This has also helped in raising their awareness about the risks associated with fire-setting. The wide range of opportunities for young people has supported them in building their social interaction, confidence and self-esteem.

p.8

Good

Young people say that they feel safe and protected in the home because staff have a good understanding of the risks that young people may face, such as going missing from care, child sexual exploitation and substance misuse. Safeguarding practices in the home are good. Staff are adequately trained and have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to enable them to recognise and respond appropriately to any safeguarding issues that arise.

p.8

Good

The procedures in place in relation to young people who go missing from the home are generally good. The staff search for young people and liaise effectively with the police, family members and social workers to secure the young person’s safe return. Although young people have a welfare visit from their social worker following every missing-from-care episode, they do not always have a return interview by an independent person. In addition, the records relating to young people going missing from the home do not provide a clear and accurate account of all the information relating to the missing-from-care episode. This is not in line with the statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care. Therefore, this may not allow information to be uncovered that can help protect young people from going missing again, from risks they may have been exposed to while missing or from other risk factors in their home.

p.9

Good

The procedures in place to manage substance misuse by young people in the home are good. The home has worked effectively with outside agencies to support a young person who uses cannabis. In addition, some of the staff at the home have experience of working with young people who have misused substances and have offered their expert knowledge to support the young person. This has resulted in the young person significantly reducing their cannabis use. Staff gave a good account of the actions they would take if a young person returned to the home under the influence of substances. These actions included regular monitoring of the young person and seeking medical attention to ensure that the young person remains safe and well. A member of staff said, ‘If a young person came home under the influence of alcohol or substances, I would take appropriate action to safeguard them as I would for my own children.’ The staff practice results in a

p.9

Good

reduction in young people’s substance misuse and in their being safely cared for.

p.9

Good

Behaviour management in the home is good due to the clear and consistent boundaries that are in place. The staff use incentives and praise to reinforce positive behaviour and adopt a restorative approach to negative behaviour. Meetings take place between young people and staff following negative behaviours, which allows time to reflect. A young person said, ‘I don’t get many sanctions for my behaviour, but when I do they are fair.’ The records in relation to sanctions outline the behaviour warranting the sanction and the details of the sanction used. The records show that sanctions are fair and proportionate in response to the behaviour presented by the young person.

p.9

Good

The staff are trained in the use of physical intervention and will use this only as a last resort to safeguard the young person or others from injury or when there is likely to be serious damage to property. Records relating to physical interventions used in the home provide a detailed account of the behaviours that led to any intervention, the details of the intervention and its effectiveness. In the event of a physical intervention, there is a full debrief and the record is signed by the young person and staff involved. The approach to managing physical intervention in the home means that young people can reflect on the incident, discuss their views about what happened and gain an understanding of why the intervention was necessary. This helps them to identify and regulate their feelings and emotions more constructively.

p.9

Good

Risk assessments are detailed but do not include information relating to all known risks for young people. For example, there have been some significant incidents for young people relating to being missing from home and some sexualised behaviours. These are not incorporated into the risk assessments. Therefore, risk assessments do not sufficiently identify risks and how they will be managed. The review and the recording of risk assessments need to be strengthened in order to ensure that they provide a true reflection of the risks to young people and to ensure that appropriate support and intervention are in place to safeguard young people.

p.10

Good

The home’s location risk assessment does not identify all known risks in the community. Some of the information in the location risk assessment was over two years old. Furthermore, the manager has not evaluated the limited information available to show what this means for the young people and the potential risks that they may face in the community.

p.10

Good

Recruitment and selection procedures for new staff are robust, and records show that all checks and references are completed and followed up before staff members are appointed. This helps to prevent unsuitable people from having access to young people.

p.10

Good

The registered manager of the home is suitably qualified and experienced. She has the support of a deputy manager and, along with the rest of the staff, they are highly motivated and committed to the young people living in the home. The leadership and management of the home are good and the home is consistently run in the best interests of the young people.

p.10

Good

Care planning for young people is of a good standard and identifies what services and actions are required to respond to their identified needs. Young people’s care plans accurately reflect the progress they have made, their current situation and their plans for the future. Staff members encourage young people to contribute to their plans, which are regularly reviewed and updated.

p.10

Good

The staff feel supported, and they benefit from regular supervision that provides the opportunity to reflect on their practice as well as on how the needs of young people are being met. Supervision enables staff and managers to consider their personal and professional development and identify any specific training and development needs. A member of staff said, ‘I receive monthly supervision that allows me to raise any issues. I feel I am able to raise issues and am listened to. Managers are supportive and listen to any ideas I may have to make improvements in the home. For example, I was able to develop the welcome pack for young people to allow it to be more child-friendly. I am given opportunities for my professional development and improvement.’

p.11

Good

Staff and managers value the importance of their continuous professional development and the positive impact that this has upon them and the quality of care that they provide to young people. All staff are suitably qualified and receive a wide range of training to develop their knowledge and skills. Staff are able to discuss their learning and development needs with managers and to highlight further opportunities to enhance their learning. Staff also benefit from the expertise of other professionals to raise their awareness of particular issues. For example, a professor whose area of specialism is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) recently attended a team meeting. This was arranged to raise staff awareness so that they can build their knowledge and understanding of working with and responding to young people who may have ADHD.

p.11

Good

Professional relationships between the home and social workers, independent reviewing officers, the police, missing-from-care and substance misuse professionals, and health and education services are good. The home shares information about young people regularly with professionals to ensure that the appropriate support is in place to meet their identified needs. Furthermore, this results in a consistent approach in supporting young people in all areas of their lives. A social worker said, ‘The home works really well with myself and other professionals, I receive weekly updates and the home attend regular care planning meetings. They are proactive in arranging meetings should the need arise.’

p.11

Good

The monitoring and review systems in the home need to be strengthened. In particular, the external monitoring by an independent person is not robust. Overall, there is a lack of in-depth analysis of the home’s effectiveness, and the reports are far too descriptive. The independent person has also failed to identify some of the shortfalls identified from this inspection. One example is the risk assessments not being updated to include all known risks to young people. In addition, the internal review and monitoring systems need to be strengthened to ensure that any shortfalls in records are identified, and to enable the registered manager to have a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses.

p.11

Good

When there have been significant events involving young people living at the home, including serious safeguarding concerns, there have been no notifications sent to Ofsted. This does not allow the regulator to have a clear overview of all safeguarding incidents, and is thus in breach of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.

p.11

What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection’.

p.13

What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and ensure that their welfare is safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

p.13

What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or that result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

p.13

Information about this inspection

Inspectors 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 that 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 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after. 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

p.14

Information about this inspection

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.14

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.15

Information about this inspection

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

p.15

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.15

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.15