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 judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager in charge of the home. He has managed the home since the home was registered in November 2015. In addition to this home, he also manages another home in the organisation and has some responsibilities for training in the wider organisation. An experienced deputy manager works in this home, to support him. Together, they provide good leadership and they both have a clear understanding of the needs of the young people living here.

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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. The environment is warm and homely. There are photographs of young people and staff around the home. Staff try hard to foster a normal family environment; for example, one young person has had a friend to stay for a sleepover. This was significant for her, as this is usual practice amongst her peer group.

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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. One young person has had a change of keyworker, but this was carefully managed to ensure the least disruption as possible. Young people respond well to staff and enjoy spending time with them. They continue to take part in a number of activities in the community. This includes attending youth club, horse riding, skiing and snowboarding.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The last full inspection of the home in May 2016 resulted in the making of two requirements and two recommendations. The registered manager has taken action to address the issues identified. For example, the statement of purpose has been revised on a number of occasions and these have been sent to Ofsted in a timely manner. In addition, staff recruitment files now demonstrate safe and robust recruitment procedures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Action has been taken to address a recommendation relating to staff training in autistic spectrum disorders. The majority of the staff team have now completed this training. Staff say that this has helped them gain a better understanding of how young people are thinking and, in turn, how best to respond to them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to promote positive behaviour in the home. Young people are clear about acceptable behaviour and staff respond to inappropriate comments or responses. In the main, they successfully defuse young people’s escalating behaviours, and positive and respectful relationships are evident between staff and young people. As a result, physical interventions only occur on rare occasions and young people feel safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

However, there has been a large increase in incidents of one young person going missing from the home since the last inspection. These relate to the re-introduction of family members into the young person’s life and their struggle to make sense of these relationships. However, staff follow clear reporting procedures and have a good relationship with other safeguarding bodies, such as the police. Staff escalate concerns to a strategy meeting when they need to and work with young people to help them appreciate the risks that they place themselves in on these occasions. The young person has also received additional input from specialist services and has engaged well with this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to liaise well with the young people’s families and involved professionals. One young person has been excluded from school, requiring staff to work alongside other bodies in order to identify a new educational setting. Staff also worked hard to engage the young person in constructive activities while a placement was identified. The young person is now engaging well in her new school.

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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 who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/05/2016 Full Good

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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 0300 123 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 at http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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