Children's home run by PIC Children’s Services 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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the young person has attended education on a regular basis, increasing his independence skills by taking the bus to and from school. Staff maintain regular communication with the teaching staff, and have a good knowledge and understanding of attainment and the forthcoming exam schedule for the young person. Further education options have been identified, and staff have assisted the young person to identify possible further education placements when he leaves school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Healthcare needs are being met, with the staff supporting and advocating on behalf of the young person to remain registered with his previous doctor. This is important, because change is difficult for the young person and he is comfortable attending healthcare appointments when he knows the healthcare professionals. This also has enabled the continuity of delivery in healthcare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff continue to endeavour to encourage and support the young person to engage in the placement and take part in activities. Despite this, there is limited social engagement with the staff, with the young person preferring to spend time in his room. Again, despite staff making attempts to encourage him to plan, prepare and meals alongside them, the young person responds on a very ad hoc basis. This means that there is limited evidence of structured routine and support being provided. Due to the amount of time that the young person spends in his room and limited communication with staff, there was a recent occasion when the staff thought that the young person was in his room, yet it was later identified that he was out of the home with relatives. This was over a 24-hour period. Staff on duty had spoken to him through his door and stated that they had heard him moving about, but had not had sight of him. This does not effectively safeguard.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although most relevant agencies, including the social worker and local authority designated officer were informed, there was no notification provided to Ofsted, as required by regulations. This information was provided at a later date. The home has taken suitable measures following this in relation to staff training and guidance to minimise the risk of it occurring again. However, the young person continues to have minimal engagement with staff. Individual risk assessments are in place, but the risk assessment in relation to self-harm is not suitably robust to ensure that there are clear strategies to minimise this risk. This was discussed with the manager, who confirmed that this risk is historical and is not presented while in placement at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has identified that the placement is not currently meeting all the young person’s needs and has raised this with the placing authority. However, there has been a recent change in social worker, resulting in a delay in the response to the concerns raised. The newly allocated social worker has a meeting planned for the coming week to discuss with the young person and the manager the next steps in planning care and support. All agencies are agreed that there needs to be a robust and effective care plan in place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support contact arrangements well and have regular communication with the parent and relations who are involved in providing additional support to the young person. This has enabled them to have a greater understanding of his emotional needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has continued to review and improve the care planning and recording documentation used. This continues to be kept under review.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has addressed some of the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. However, due to the short time frame between inspections, the review of the independent visitor reporting format is still ongoing. It was identified that the reporting format did not provide all required information to enable the home to focus on areas for improvement, was not suitably analytical and contained an element of repetition. A number of requirements have been raised at this inspection which the home has commenced to address, although they are not fully complete. The manager has confirmed he has an action and development plan in place to ensure that these are met, and they will be judged at the next inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately run and registered for one young person with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/11/2016 Full Good 30/12/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/10/2015 Full Good 30/12/2014 Interim Not judged

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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.

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard the registered person must ensure that staff- (2)(b)(iv) provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. 30/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

9: The enjoyment and achievement standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the enjoyment and achievement standard the registered person must ensure: (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii) that staff help each child to develop the child’s interest and hobbies; participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child’s interests and preference; and make a positive contribution to the home and wider community. 30/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

To meet the positive relationships standard the registered person must ensure that staff: (2)(a)(ii) help each child to develop socially aware behaviour. 30/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure staff (2)(a)(v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. 30/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each relevant person without delay if there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(3)(e)) 31/05/2017 The independent person must produce a report about a visit (‘the independent person’s report’) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44(a)(b)) 30/06/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan, agreed between the home and their placing authority must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day to day basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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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 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 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, 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

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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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