Children's home run by After Care (NW) Limited in Sefton

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people remain settled and stable in their home and make noticeable progress, particularly with their education. Young people are thriving because of the staff’s constant support, consistent routines and clear boundaries. As a result, young people’s school attendance is excellent. This is reflected in the many awards and certificates that both young people have received for their positive behaviour and ‘outstanding’ effort at school. Additionally, staff have high aspirations for the young people in their care and are able to address their needs exceptionally well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff follow comprehensive placement plans and risk assessments that provide them with clear and effective strategies about how to promote young people’s needs and welfare. Improvements have been achieved in the home’s records. For example, placement plans are more concise and reflect individual progress more clearly. Likewise, better monitoring systems are ensuring that care plans and assessments are regularly updated by the staff team, while the manager ensures that all staff are aware of any changes in any care arrangements and that they are consistently working to young people’s up-to-date plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has clear and effective procedures in place for safeguarding young people. Staff are alert to potential risks, such as online grooming and sexual exploitation. What is more, staff are vigilant and manage risk well. It is rare for young people to go missing from this home, which is down to the staff’s effective direct work sessions with young people. Staff support young people to reflect on their risky behaviours, such as going missing and unsafe internet use. When necessary, young people are linked to specialist services, such as sexual exploitation services, that support young people to understand their vulnerability and how to keep themselves safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are skilled at building warm and trusting relationships with young people. These positive relationships are enabling young people to engage with staff so they can share their concerns or worries. This, in turn, strengthens the staff’s opportunities to provide young people with guidance, support and protection. Furthermore, young people are learning to manage difficult emotions in a safer way. This has meant the use of physical restraint has not been necessary for some time. Nevertheless, should a restraint be necessary, there are now clear procedures in place for recording the incident, which include detailing the young person’s views and reviewing the effectiveness of the measure used.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from having clear pathway plans in place that set out the arrangements for their moves to semi-independence. Staff work creatively with young people to ensure that they are involved in devising their pathway plans. For example, when young people struggle to comprehend their plans, staff use different communication methods that suit their individual needs and interests, such as computer-based presentations. Without a doubt, the team places young people’s individual needs at the centre of its practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are wholly supported by a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager. Staff benefit from reflecting on their practice during regular professional supervision and team meetings. This is ensuring consistency in care and staff practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All but one of the actions raised at the last inspection have been met. Improvements in the home’s records and service monitoring are evident. However, staff are not yet benefiting from individual development plans that clearly identify their specific learning needs. This recommendation is therefore repeated.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation to two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/10/2016 Full Good 16/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 18/11/2015 Full Good 27/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendation

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

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce-related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). The plan should be updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home, and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of staff – including the home’s manager. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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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

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

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