Children's home run by Inspire Children’s Services Limited in St. Helens

Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 1 SC477853 Registered provider: Inspire Children‟s Services Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children‟s home can accommodate two children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 14 to 15 September 2017

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children‟s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 14 February 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Good

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Key findings from this inspection

 Both young people have been at this home for over three years. They have formed valuable and trusted relationships with members of staff. Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 2  The nurturing environment provided by this home allows young people to be cared for well. Young people describe this home as their home and members of staff as family.  The home promotes education well. When young people have difficulty attending education, the home works with a range of educational professionals to help identify alternative provision.  One young person has a severe health condition. This is monitored extremely well. As a result, he has not needed any emergency treatment.  Safeguarding arrangements are good. Staff are well trained and understand their roles and responsibilities if an incident was to occur.  When young people‟s behaviour becomes a concern, the home takes effective action. This includes young people taking ownership of the damage that they

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Key findings from this inspection

have caused, and they help to repair the damage.  Members of staff are supported well to deliver good-quality care. Parents say that members of staff are approachable, considerate and caring towards them and their children.  The home works collaboratively with a range of external agencies to ensure that young people‟s needs are met.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children‟s home‟s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 Copious recording makes tracking young people‟s progress from their starting points difficult to measure and evaluate.  Young people‟s files are not structured well. This is because old information has not been archived. In addition to this, some paperwork has not been signed by the local authority, the manager or members of staff. This does not show that everyone is in agreement with the plan.  One young person‟s contact plan does not show that his contact arrangements have changed. This does not ensure that members of staff have the most up-to- date information when facilitating contact.  The manager has sent emails to the local authority for outstanding paperwork. However, a significant period of time has elapsed and the manager has not formally challenged the local authority for these reports.  As part of the home‟s external monitoring, the independent visitor has not identified some of the shortfalls in this report. In addition to this, the manager

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Key findings from this inspection

has not fully evaluated all of the data that he has used in his six-monthly monitoring of the home. As a result, trends and patterns have not been identified. Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/02/2017 Full Good 29/09/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/02/2016 Full Good 03/09/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children‟s home; In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that, subject to regulation 22 (contact and access to communications), contact between each child and the child‟s parents, relatives and friends, is promoted in accordance with the child‟s relevant plans. (Regulation 14 (1)(2)(d)) 27/11/2017

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children‟s home that—

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard the standard in paragraphs (1) requires the registered person to— understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (2)(f)) This is specifically in relation to ensuring that young people‟s progress is recorded in their documents. 27/11/2017

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Requirement Due date

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—

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being. (Regulation 44 (40)(b)) 27/11/2017 Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 5

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Recommendations

 All children‟s case records must be kept up to date. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that young people‟s files are in a good order. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 62, paragraph 14.3)  Ensure that case records are kept up-to-date and signed by the author. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that the manager, social worker and staff have signed all records. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 62, paragraph 14.3)  Staff should act as champions for their children, expecting nothing less than a good parent would. This is specifically in relation to challenging a placing authority or another relevant person when they do not provide the input and services needed to meet a child‟s needs. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 12, paragraph 2.8)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should undertake a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided by the home. This is specifically in relation to evaluating the data incorporated within the report. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 64, paragraph 15.2)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both young people have been at this home for a significant period of time. The ethos of the home is one of a nurturing environment and approach. This was evident on the morning of the inspection, when young people were taken a cup of tea on waking, and a bath was run for them before school. One young person said, „They do not do it as a job, they really show that they care.‟ He went on to say, „This is my home and staff are my family.‟ The other young person said, „It is good here but I want to return home.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has lots of information about the young people‟s needs, progress, professional input and the additional support that they require. In addition to this, key-working sessions and individual consultations are completed with young people, around areas that need to improve. However, the main points or actions have not been taken over to the young people‟s main plans. For example, one young person‟s medical report identifies that a booster injection was required earlier in the year. He received his booster injection but this is not recorded in his health plan. This information is in a consultation document. As a result, it is difficult to see the young person‟s starting point, the work undertaken by the home, the outcome and the progress made. This does not help young people understand their journey and the help that they have received to progress. Further to this, young people‟s files are not structured well. This is because old

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

information has not been archived. For example, there was information on a young person‟s education programme going back to 2014 and several review documents. This Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 6 does not assist members of staff when they need the most up-to-date information. Also, some of the young people‟s paperwork has not been signed by the local authority, the manager or members of staff. This does not ensure that everyone understands and is in agreement with the plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are supported well to ensure that their views are central to the way that their care is arranged. They are asked to comment on their plans and make changes where necessary. They are provided with choices through house meetings, and they discuss the week ahead, activities and menus. One young person has just been abroad for the first time. A member of staff said, „It took a lot of planning and ensuring that every risk and eventuality was covered but it was well worth it.‟ The young person said, „It was fantastic. I hope I can go again next year.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people said that they were fully aware of how to make a complaint or to raise a concern but they have not had any reason to. The young people clearly told the inspector what action they would take and who they could contact externally, if they needed to. This means that young people have access to independent people if they wish to raise a concern about the home and are confident to do so.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One young person attends a mainstream school. He is doing very well and has 100% attendance. He has just chosen his core subjects to follow over the next two years. He said, „I have chosen health and social care because I want to work in a place like this.‟ In addition, he volunteers at a local charity shop at the weekend. This gives him valuable experience of working and aids his social skills in working directly with the general public. Another young person had been doing well at a mainstream school for the last two years. However, other circumstances have recently affected his attendance. The staff at the home have worked closely with the young person, and educational professionals and others, to source a suitable alternative provision. Currently, members of staff are using various incentives to encourage the young person to engage in education. Members of staff stress the importance of education and have explored

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

several options that the young person had expressed an interest in, for example a mechanics course. In the meantime, members of staff are ensuring that he is completing work with a teacher at the home on a daily basis while professionals are exploring other strategies. This helps to maintain a routine and shows that the home has responded quickly to continually promote his educational needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are in good health. This is because members of staff support and help young people to understand why good health is important. As a result, young people attend all health appointments and receive treatment that they need. When there are specific health needs, the manager and staff work closely with family members and health professionals to ensure that they are safely met. The manager and members of staff encourage young people to administer their own medication as part of their independence. This will help young people as they go forward into adulthood. In addition to this, the use of individualised health passports tells health professionals how young people should be cared for, if they require hospital treatment or overnights stays.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships with families are firmly established and respected. One parent said, „They Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 7 are fantastic. They keep me informed. Staff bring him and pick him up. He is cared for extremely well.‟ The young people‟s contact plans show the arrangements and any restrictions that have been identified by the local authority. When issues do arise, members of staff take steps to work closely with a range of professionals and parents to address any issue. This has resulted in contact arrangements being changed for one young person. However, the inspector found that the young person‟s contact plan had not been updated. This does not ensure that members of staff have the most up-to-date information. One young person has recently had a week with his mother and brother at a holiday resort, on a break provided by the home. The young person said, „It was brilliant. I loved it.‟ This shows that the home values and supports family relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are offered a wide range of activities. They enjoy going to the gym, the cinema, going fishing and playing football. One young person likes to spend time in the community with his friends. Members of staff promote positive friendships and educate young people on the importance of healthy relationships. One young person likes to play on his console and often watches films on this device. He said that he was looking forward to his fifteenth birthday, as he has a cinema card and can watch 15-certificate films. Young people have significantly increased their self-esteem and emotional well- being as a result of improvements in their social development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A key worker is undertaking life story work with one young person. They have requested and received several personal items from family members that show his history. This has meant that the young person has been able to explore their past and begin to understand their journey. The key worker has approached this sensitively and this has resulted in some exceptional work.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people said that they feel safe and supported in this home. One young person said that he had learned to keep himself safer because members of staff have discussed dangers with him. He said, „I am much more aware of the pitfalls and dangers when online. I don‟t share information and would report anything that I thought was inappropriate.‟ Another young person said that, because members of staff have completed safety work with him, he understands the importance of staying in touch with the home. As a result, he now answers his phone when members of staff call him, to check on him or find out where he is. This shows that young people are able to protect themselves or take action if they are worried.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk management plans are clear and reflect the behaviours presented by each young person. Strategy meetings are called quickly if an incident occurs, and effective action is taken. For example, a young person left his bedroom via a window and let other young people in, from other care homes. Window restrictors were fitted and the permitted movement sensor equipment in the home was realigned, and meetings were held with the other care homes. This means that there was a coordinated response and that the care homes can supervise and alert each other if the young people are not where they are supposed to be. This has been effective, and no further incidents have occurred. Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 8 One young person has recently stopped engaging with the home and his education because he wishes to return home. The manager said that the dynamics at his parental home had changed and that the young person was struggling with this. Part of this

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

disengagement has been due to the fact that the young person has been reported missing from the home, throughout June and July 2017. He went missing with other young people from other care homes. Members of staff worked closely with the police, the other care homes and parents to ensure his safe return. At this time, the young person‟s social worker left and this impacted on the young person‟s emotional health. The manager challenged the local authority around the lack of a social worker, and a new social worker was identified. The social worker has met the young person, and the young person said that she was „good‟ and he was satisfied with his new social worker. A disruption meeting has been scheduled for next week to cover all aspects of his care, including the plan for him, education, and health and contact issues. All incidents have been documented thoroughly, and key-work sessions, direct work and independent

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

return interviews have been completed. This has helped to establish the root cause of the behaviour, and there have been no further occurrences.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Members of staff know young people very well and are able to adopt consistent strategies to manage behaviour successfully. They are skilled in defusing challenging behaviour; consequently, physical intervention is rare. On the occasions when restrictive practice is used, participants are debriefed and the incident evaluated effectively by the manager. Young people are helped to understand the reason for this practice, and to reflect on their actions, and they are encouraged to make more acceptable choices in the future. For example, one young person has helped the maintenance person fix the damage to the spindles on the stairs and the holes in his bedroom walls. These repairs have been done as restorative practice, i.e. to teach him DIY skills and to give the young person an opportunity to make things right. Positive behaviour is rewarded and encouraged through daily incentives, and this enables young people to have more

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

pocket money. Achievements, certificates or periods of good behaviour are rewarded. For example, one young person received additional clothing money for his attendance at school. As a result, the young person is able to reflect on their positive behaviour and they said that it helps them to understand when their behaviour is less acceptable.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people said that they have been here for a long time and that they have made excellent relationships with members of staff. They described members of staff as „fantastic‟, „funny‟, „brilliant‟, and „helpful‟. One young person said, „They are my family. I can talk to anyone. They listen and help me. They are honest if things cannot happen but they try.‟ Another young person said, „My friends live in care homes. Their staff team changes all the time. Ours doesn‟t.‟ This means that young people are able to maintain meaningful relationships with staff because they are cared for by a stable team. The young people said that they get on well with each other and there have been no issues in regards to bullying. They were confident that members of staff would deal with any issue, if anything were to happen.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Safeguarding procedures are robust. Any significant events or concerns have been managed sensitively and reported to the appropriate authorities in accordance with Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 9 statutory responsibilities. The staff team members receive regular training in safeguarding areas, including radicalisation and child sexual exploitation. As a result, they are able to articulate what signs, symptoms and behavioural changes would alert them to any possible risks of radicalisation or child sexual exploitation. They were also clear of their roles and responsibilities in raising, addressing and reporting concerns. This demonstrates that staff have the skills and knowledge to help keep young people safe and that they understand their responsibilities.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people live in a homely environment. Young people display photographs and certificates throughout the home. This gives them a sense of belonging. All health and safety matters are addressed quickly, and damage to the home is repaired quickly. Certificates for appliances and utilities are refreshed appropriately, and members of staff, young people and visitors are taken through the emergency evacuation procedure regularly. This means that young people live in a safe environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. He was registered with Ofsted in February 2017. He also manages another home. He divides his time equally between both homes. He is supported in this home by a deputy manager who has worked at the home for a long time. There has recently been a restructure of the staff team. This has allowed members of staff to progress into senior roles. The manager said that this gives a better structure and accountability for leading shifts. The manager and members of staff demonstrate a detailed understanding of the needs, strengths and vulnerabilities of the young people in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Members of staff said that they are supported well, that they engage in regular team meetings and receive good supervision. They said that this support allows them to reflect on their practice and identify any personal development needs. Members of staff feel that the company and the manager invest in them. One member of staff said, „I have recently been appointed as a senior and I am enjoying this role. I have extra responsibilities and I wish to go further in the future.‟ Many of the staff are very experienced and have worked for the company for some time. There has been one new member of staff since the home‟s last inspection. Good recruitment practices show that all suitable checks were undertaken prior to their appointment. This ensures that young people are cared for by a stable and suitable staff team. Professionals, parents and young people commented on this stability and how staff instinctively know the young

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Members of staff are provided with a comprehensive training package, and all mandatory training is refreshed accordingly. They benefit from additional complementary courses that support them to meet the young people‟s needs. Most of the staff have a recognised child care qualification, and three staff are at different stages of completing a comparable course. A portion of the staff meeting is set aside to discuss practice issues. For example, the staff team members have recently refreshed their knowledge on attachment and loss, to support one young person who is having difficulty adjusting to Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 10 changes at home. The staff team has also looked at „sexting‟ and the new Section 67 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. This means that members of staff have the knowledge and skills to support young people well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Both young people are from the same local authority but placed within a host local authority. The manager reports that he has difficulty in getting reports from the local authority after meetings have taken place. For example, a review was held for one young person in May 2017. The manager has requested this report several times by email. He has still not received the report. However, the manager has not formally raised this with the team manager from the local authority. This has not significantly impacted on the care that the young person receives because the home‟s staff took their own notes. Therefore, they are aware of the actions identified at the review. However, this does not show that the manager takes effective action when he considers that a local authority‟s response is inadequate to meet the needs of young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose is reviewed regularly and accurately reflects the aims and objectives of the home. There is a good development plan which aims to continually enhance the care experiences and outcomes for young people. It also identifies areas for development and improvement. For example, the manager discussed incorporating positive aspects of young people‟s behaviour in their behaviour management plan rather than just negative behaviour.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is regularly monitored by an independent service. However, the independent visitor has not identified some of the shortfalls addressed in this report, for example missing signatures and contact plans not being updated. In conjunction with this, the manager completes a six-monthly review of the service provided. He has incorporated graphs to visually show positive and negative incidents within the home. However, because he has not evaluated this data, the review does not show how this information is used to demonstrate progress, or to look at trends and patterns in practice.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

Using the „Social care common inspection framework‟, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children‟s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the „Guide to the Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 11 children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟. Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Inspire Children‟s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ground Floor, 121 Church Street, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 1AJ

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Inspector

Pam Nuckley, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC477853 13 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children‟s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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