Children's Home run by New Foundations Care Homes 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 improved effectiveness . Young people have made good progress since the last inspection. The manager has been registered since August 2016, has the relevant experience and is currently working towards the national vocational qualification (NVQ) level 5. Staff reported that they feel supported by the manager and that she has clear visions and aspirations for the young people. All requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been completed and implemented. There are robust monitoring systems in place to ensure that staff are checked robustly during the recruitment process. In addition, senior staff have undertaken a safer recruitment course. An independent person has been appointed to carry out the monthly regulation 44 visits. This gives a clear insight into the effectiveness of care practice in the home. Training is more varied,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and there is a good mix of online training and training that is face to face. Staff have received this well and feel that the face-to-face learning aids their practice better. The home is currently being refurbished. Young people have chosen soft furnishings and helped to decorate the home, choosing glitter paint to add an extra sparkle to the walls. Young people have built positive relationships with staff, who understand their individual needs and support them to continue to make good progress in all aspects of their lives. An education professional commented, ‘Absolutely fabulous staff team, very welcoming accommodating and informative.’ Another professional commented, ‘Staff are very friendly and welcoming and are really keen to progress.’ Staff recognise that education is an important part of young people’s lives. They support and encourage young people to attend and have regular contact with education providers. Staff have supported a young person who completed his

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

school education last year in further education placements from September. The staff understand that the transition into a more formal education environment can be difficult and are working with him, towards this. A young person who was working with a tutor went into the school to provide an additional four hours with the young person in the classroom. This has resulted in an increase in their attainment, particularly in English. Staff are proud of what the young people have achieved. There is wi-fi in the home, which young people can use for homework and to keep up to date with friends and family. Staff understand the risks that this can bring. Internet safety has been discussed in key work sessions. Risk assessments are individualised, and staff monitor the young people, enabling them to keep themselves safe. The registered manager also meets with the local police and other providers in the area on a regular basis to look at any safeguarding concerns. A

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

police officer said, ‘Staff were extremely helpful and had an excellent knowledge of the children [and] good knowledge of child sexual exploitation issues and [are] very knowledgeable of the law.’ Behaviour management in the home is fair and proportionate; young people comment on sanctions given and the manager evaluates the effectiveness. Young people understand that if they break things in the home there is an expectation that they pay towards the cost of replacing the item or help the handy person to fix it. The manager reported that there has been a decrease in criminal damage in the home since the young people were involved in decorating the home. There is a good ratio of staff to young people, which enables young people to attend activities and have good-quality time with staff. Staff see activities as an important part of their learning social skills and mixing with their peers. The manager is working hard to provide a home that has a warm, nurturing and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

supportive feel. The manager has worked with the young people and asked for their feedback on the inside and outside of the home. They are encouraged to choose furnishings and decor of the home. Workmen were working on the new kitchen/dining area during the inspection. There is a large garden to the front and rear of the property.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private company, which has another home in the area. It is registered to accommodate up to five young people, irrespective of gender, who have emotional and behavioural difficulties

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 whom 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 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

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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