Children's Home run by Teen-Works Care 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 judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has taken effective action to meet the requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection. All records of physical intervention are now completed and recorded within the required timescales. In addition, the quality of care review now monitors and evaluates the feedback and opinions of young people about the children‟s home and the quality of care that they receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, transition plans for young people have been successfully developed and implemented. The staff supported a young person to move to her new semi-independent provision. She continues to maintain contact with the staff with whom she had built up a positive relationship, and she has sent them a thank- you card for all of the support and encouragement provided throughout her stay in the home. Another young person has since moved into the children‟s home. They have settled well and have started to build up encouraging relationships with the staff who are caring for them. The young person said, „It‟s OK here, and I‟m doing OK.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people benefit from individualised and exceptionally well-planned care, from a consistent staff team and knowledgeable manager. The quality of care provided by the staff team empowers young people to make continued progress across all areas of their lives, including education, health and contact; all of which helps to develop their identity and confidence. However, on occasions the documents completed by staff, including risk assessments, monthly reports and behaviour management plans, are not always signed and dated by the author, nor do they demonstrate that the rest of the staff team is fully aware of any changes to the plan. The manager recognised this as an area for further improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people have made very good progress at their education settings. One young person, who has recently moved into the home, had missed a significant amount of his education. Since moving in, he has re-engaged in education and, with the continued encouragement of the staff team, his attendance has already improved. When young people are struggling with their education, staff are creative and work hard with teaching professionals to adapt plans to meet the young person‟s needs. Support also continues for young people who are accessing further education and skills-based training courses. One tutor stated, „The staff clearly want the best for young people, and communication with us has always been excellent.‟ This ensures that all young people have the appropriate support and guidance to achieve their full potential.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people‟s emotional and mental health needs are a priority. Young people receive therapeutic interventions either through the local mental health services or through the provision of psychotherapy. Young people are benefiting from these services. Staff regularly liaise with all health professionals. This consultative approach supports good communication and coordination across the staff team and results in a consistent approach to care practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support and address young people‟s behavioural needs effectively. Praise, reward and the celebration of achievements replaces the need for punitive behaviour-management strategies. Young people are encouraged to behave well and they quickly come to understand how to behave in an acceptable manner. In addition, staff complete direct-work sessions with young people to identify ways to express their frustration or distress without resorting to aggression. This enables young people to reflect on their behaviours and learn different ways of managing their feelings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have lots of opportunities to enjoy leisure time in their local community. Their individual hobbies and interests are encouraged and supported by the staff team. Activities, such as day trips to interesting places, holidays abroad, visits to their individual league football teams or local beauty parlours, all encourage young people‟s participation and socialisation. Staff do their utmost to ensure that young people have every opportunity to partake in activities that they may show an interest in. This has helped young people gain confidence in their abilities, have fun, acquire new skills and improve their social and emotional skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff are vigilant about safeguarding young people; they are very clear about their roles and responsibilities. This involves retaining strong and effective relationships with the local police, placing authorities, schools and health professionals. This well-established professional network means that young people receive high levels of support reflecting their needs and vulnerabilities. One safeguarding professional reported to the inspector, „The home always goes above and beyond. They never give up on young people without a fight. They will try all strategies to support young people and are very good at helping them understand why others are worried about them. I have worked with lots of children‟s homes, but this one never gives up. The manager is not afraid to say “we need help with this”, and they certainly stick by their young people.‟ Young people, as a result, receive the help that they need to keep them safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Strong and effective leadership and clear monitoring systems are in place to continually review the quality of care provided and improve outcomes for young people. Staff report that they are „extremely well supported‟ in their roles and have regular team meetings and supervision sessions. This enables them to reflect on their practices and highlight any areas of training or development that they may have. All staff commented on the commitment and support of the manager, and one staff member said, „The manager is the best I have ever worked for. She is totally committed to the young people and is always available to staff and young people. She wants the home to only provide young people with the best quality of care and for them to have successful futures.‟

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Information about this children's home

The home is a privately owned children‟s home for three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/08/2016 Full Good 31/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/01/2016 Full Good 22/01/2015 Interim Improved 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

 Ensure that all children's case records (regulation 36) are stored securely while they remain in the home. Case records must be kept up to date and signed and dated by the author. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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 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 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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