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 requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . At the last inspection, six requirements were made, all of which have been met. Information has been shared among the staff team members who are now much clearer about their safeguarding responsibilities in relation to bullying. For example, clear protocols have been discussed and agreed to ensure that any complaints of bullying from young people are addressed under the auspices of the home’s own safeguarding policies. This means that young people living in the home presently, and in the future, will be afforded sufficient protection and support to ensure that their risks and vulnerabilities are managed effectively. Young people indicate that they are safer because of the support that they receive from staff. One young person said, ‘I feel safe here.’ However, safeguarding

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

professionals, including the police and the host authority have raised concerns directly with HMCI about the home’s ability to effectively safeguard young people. Through discussion with the registered manager it was confirmed that on one occasion a young person was allowed to leave the home at 22.25pm to visit a friend. The address she was visiting was not checked and she failed to return home. On reflection the registered manager recognised that he had not adequately implemented appropriate measures to safeguard the young person and acknowledged this as an area for improvement. No other safeguarding incidents were identified as part of this inspection. Staff undertake a range of training in matters such as safeguarding and around child sexual exploitation. This increases their knowledge in how to keep young people safe. In addition, the registered manager now has in place a training matrix that gives a clear overview of staff’s training needs. This enables the manager to

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

continually check that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet the individual needs of the young people. The registered manager understands the importance of effective recruitment procedures and practices. Following the last inspection, he has ensured that essential documentation is readily accessible in each staff member’s file. This provides an audit trail intended to demonstrate that safe recruitment and necessary checks are completed. The registered manager is appropriately qualified and experienced to undertake his role. He now routinely monitors, evaluates and analyses the work undertaken by the staff. Daily, weekly and monthly monitoring takes place and has enabled him to identify weaknesses and to take action to remedy them. As a result, the quality of some of the records has improved since the previous inspection. In addition, a new independent visitor has been commissioned to visit the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has embraced independent reviews of the home, including audits from senior managers within the company. He is confident that his input will provide effective guidance, support and scrutiny of the quality of care provided. All young people have an identified educational provision. From their starting points, young people make very good progress in terms of their academic abilities, willingness to attend and understanding of the role that education plays in their future lives. A social worker commented, ‘The staff do well in encouraging education and it has a massive impact.’ Young people receive help and support to manage their behaviour and feelings safely. Staff have a positive approach to young people and use effective strategies when young people are angry or frustrated. They tailor behaviour management to each young person’s needs. Staff prefer to talk to young people about what it is

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that is causing them to be upset, and they provide opportunities to explore their feelings and emotions. Staff give ‘consequences’ for poor behaviour. These are appropriate and often take on a restorative form of putting right what the young people have done wrong rather than taking something away from the young people. One young person said, ‘I think they are fair if we have done something wrong.’ However, the recording of sanctions is poor, with a lack of management overview on the effectiveness of the sanction. Staff work closely with young people in guiding and supporting them to learn to look after their health, make good lifestyle choices and to understand the importance of good diet and exercise. For example, one young person’s enthusiasm for a healthy lifestyle entails her going to the gym in the morning prior to attending college. Young people’s independence plans also help them to understand the

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

importance of preparing and enjoying meals made with healthy ingredients. A staff member commented, ‘(Young person) is great at cooking, everything is fresh and made from scratch. This will be really good for when they leave and is good for their health.’ There has been one complaint since the last inspection. The registered manager carried out a full investigation as per the home’s policies and procedures. This ensured that the complaint was robustly dealt with and done so in a timely manner. Staff spoken to during the inspection said that they felt appropriately supported by the manager. However, the inspection identified that formal supervision has not taken place at regular intervals for staff. This does not provide sufficient opportunities for each staff member to review if, or how, they are contributing to young people achieving improved outcomes. An area for development includes ensuring that the home continues to reflect the

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

warm, nurturing environment that staff create. In general, the home environment is very clean, tidy and recently redecorated to a high standard. However, the settee in the living room area is in a poor state of repair, with tears in the fabric.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural needs.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 30/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/01/2016 Full Good 02/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets the Care Standards Act 2000, 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.6

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure:

p.6

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; (ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe; (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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

(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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(2)(b)) 10/04/2017

p.6

Requirement Due date

33: Employment of staff The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development and receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)) 10/04/2017

p.6

Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (‘the behaviour management policy’) which sets out how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home and the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. The registered person must keep 10/04/2017 the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b)(2))

p.6

Recommendation

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

p.7

Recommendation

 Staff should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming, supportive and which provides appropriate boundaries in relation to their behaviour. Homes must also meet children's basic day-to-day needs and physical necessities. Staff should seek to meet the child's basic needs in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met – doing so is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for the child and value them as an individual. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7.) In particular, ensure that furnishings within the home are in a good state of repair, specifically the settee.

p.7

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’.

p.8

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.

p.8

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 .

p.8

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.9

Information about this inspection

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

p.9

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.9

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.9