Children's Home run by Crossway Services Limited in St Helens

Inspection report children’s home: SC063498 1 SC063498 Registered provider: Crossway Services Limited Interim 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 one young person who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: None

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has made good progress in addressing the 11 requirements and three recommendations that were made at the last inspection. There is a clear external and internal monitoring system at the home. A new independent visitor was identified and he has recently undertaken several visits to the home. The manager said that the reports are more informative and that they allow her to reflect and prioritise changes at the home. In addition to this, the home’s statement of purpose has been updated and it now accurately reflects the ethos of the home. These revised documents have been sent timely to Ofsted.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Over the last 10 months, the manager has focused on the recruitment, retention and development of the staff team. There is now a stable staff team that has a full complement of staff with each staff member having passed their probation period successfully. They have all completed mandatory training and additional training, such as bereavement training. All staff members are registered on a relevant childcare Inspection report children’s home: SC063498 2 qualification and they receive formal supervision on a regular basis. This has equipped the staff team with the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the young person living at the home, and importantly it has allowed the manager to be off shift so that she has more time to complete her managerial tasks effectively. This is evident in the smooth running of the home. For example, all paperwork is now signed by the relevant key people and staff members have read and understood changes to these documents.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition, all known risks that the young person presents with have been assessed and the physical intervention records now contain all the information required. The improved clarity of the young person’s records shows that the actions that the staff team is taking are helping to secure progress and achieve good outcomes for the young person.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has challenged several professionals successfully. As a result, the young person was referred to an appropriate healthcare specialist and is now receiving the necessary medication to support his health needs. The staff were given additional training and this means that the staff team has a good understanding of the young person’s diagnosis and how it may affect his behaviour. Staff also make sure that he receives his medication in line with his prescription. In addition to this, the young person was struggling in a mainstream school provision. After a recent review, the professionals involved in the young person’s care agreed that the current school placement does not meet his needs. Therefore, he is now being home tutored by a teacher from the school while a suitable school placement is found. The manager is also looking at services within the local community. Prior to this, the young person’s attendance at the school

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

was very good. He received several certificates for his work, attendance and behaviour. He has proudly displayed these certificates at the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no significant incidents or complaints since the last inspection. The young person has not been reported missing from this home. Members of staff receive training in this area and understand their roles and responsibilities, if an incident were to occur. Prior to coming to this home, and in the early days of the young person’s placement, he was being held for his or others’ safety on a daily basis. This has significantly reduced to a couple of episodes a month. This is because there is a stable staff team, the members of which know the young person well; they can anticipate triggers for negative behaviours and put effective strategies and diversion techniques in place. For example, the young person can become anxious before education so staff members play quiet board games with him after breakfast, so that he is settled and calm. In addition to this, the staff team is working closely with healthcare professionals

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

regarding the young person’s new medication regime. This is so that an appropriate optimum dose is reached to maximise the health benefits.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are good approaches to the management of behaviour at this home. A reward chart incentivises the young person to achieve agreed daily tasks, such as making his bed, and it identifies behaviours that require improvement. The young person is fully involved in his plans. For example, he noticed that the manager had not included a positive reward incentive for not climbing on the bannister and furniture. The young person wanted this to be added to help him reduce these incidents. This was added and has subsequently resulted in a reduction in this behaviour. The staff team celebrates all of the young person’s achievements and his continued good behaviour through Inspection report children’s home: SC063498 3 incentives and spontaneous recognition. For example, the young person has received numerous toy monkeys to add to his collection. The emphasis on positive reward and recognition has been instrumental in building the young person’s self-esteem and

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person showed the inspector around the home. He excitedly explained how he has been involved in the redecoration of the home and was proud to show off his bedroom. The young person said that he loved his X-Men wallpaper and his new furniture. He proudly showed the inspector items such as his toy monkeys that he had received as rewards and his new bike and scooter that he received for Christmas. This shows that the young person lives in a homely environment that reflects his personality.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person lives a good distance away from his hometown. He has regular contact with an extended family member. Staff members take him to and supervise these visits. Staff members are able to do this effectively because they have received training in supervising contact and the arrangements are identified clearly in the young person’s plans.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person enjoys several activities and he has tried new experiences. He likes to go out on his bike, going to the park and playing board games. He joined the Scouts but did not like it. The staff team has been insightful at looking at other options for him to explore. The manager said that the young person likes climbing and is strong. He has recently started at gymnastics club. Staff are also considering a martial arts club to help him with his focus, to develop an awareness of personal space and to build mutual respect. In addition to this, the young person has been on two caravan holidays. This shows that the young person is experiencing new activities, having fun and is involved in the local community.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, the manager was asked to have a workforce plan that would detail the necessary management and staffing structure, the experiences and qualifications of staff, any further training requirements, and the process and timescales for staff to achieve induction, probation and core training. In addition, the manager was asked to develop the process for managing poor performance and the process and timescales for supervision of practice. She was also asked to review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises. These documents require further improvement. For example, the location risk assessment does not consider the local community crime statistics and the workforce plan does not identify the different timescales for supervision for new staff, agency staff or permanent staff. Therefore, these two issues have been repeated. Inspection report children’s home: SC063498 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/03/2017 Full Requires improvement 12/12/2016 Interim Not judged 14/01/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC063498 5

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Statutory requirement

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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 registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard). (Regulation 46(1)) 31/07/2017

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a workforce plan, which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). The plan should detail the necessary management and staffing structure, the experiences and qualifications of staff, any further training required, the process and timescales for staff to achieve induction, probation and core training, the process for managing poor performance and the process and timescales for supervision of practice. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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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

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

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 Inspection report children’s home: SC063498 6 it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Crossway Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rouse House, 2 Wyther Lane, Leeds LS5 3BT

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Inspector

Pam Nuckley, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC063498 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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