Children's Home run by After Care (NW) Limited in Sefton

Inspection report children’s home: SC042652 1 SC042652 Registered provider: After Care (NW) Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people 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 improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has moved out of the home. The manager served notice on this placement due to serious safeguarding concerns. The decision to end this placement was not made in haste. The interests, safety and welfare of all young people living at the home were at the centre of this decision. The young person moved on from the home in a planned way. Staff supported her with introductions to her new home and carers, which made her move a positive experience.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Developments in the home’s approach to care planning have supported two young people to move into the home successfully. The detailed information that the manager obtains at the referral and placement planning stage enables staff to undertake comprehensive impact assessments. Additionally, improvements in obtaining all relevant documents from other professionals, including young people’s care and education plans, is enhancing staff’s knowledge and understanding of young people’s needs. As a result, young people receive the care and support that they require and make noticeable progress from their starting points. Additionally, staff’s well-planned care and support Inspection report children’s home: SC042652 2 are reducing young people’s risk-taking behaviour, such as going missing from home and child sexual exploitation. Targeted intervention is helping young people to recognise their vulnerabilities and is teaching them how to keep themselves safe.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive ongoing support and training on safeguarding matters, and the team works in partnership with all safeguarding professionals to promote young people’s safety. Staff are alert to potential dangers in the home and local community. When issues arise staff escalate their concerns to the appropriate safeguarding bodies. An example of this is the home reporting to the police that a local shop was selling alcohol to children. Consequently, the matter was swiftly investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities. This demonstrates staff’s committed approach to safeguarding children and young people. Furthermore, it shows that staff have a good understanding of their own and other professionals’ safeguarding duties and responsibilities.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The team’s positive behaviour management approach combined with proactive key-work sessions assist young people to respond to difficult emotions in a safer way. The use of restraint at the home has not been used since the last inspection. However, the manager has spoken to all staff to make sure that they are fully aware of the home’s restraint policy, procedures and recording requirements. As a result, staff know how to correctly record any physical intervention should it be necessary for staff to use such measures in the future.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has updated the home’s statement of purpose and provided the updated version to Ofsted, as required. The updated statement of purpose provides an accurate picture of the aims and objectives of the home and of how young people are cared for and supported. The home’s statement of purpose enables commissioners, parents and social workers to make informed decisions about the suitability of the home for individual young people before they move in.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements are evident in the handling of young people’s complaints. Complaints are rare. However, when young people do complain they are listened to and their complaints are investigated appropriately. Complaint records are detailed and reflect the actions taken and outcome of the investigation. A more robust complaints procedure is enhancing young people’s welfare and safety.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is taking on a new position within the organisation, and her intention is to resign as the registered person for this home. The manager has suitably actioned all of the requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection. This demonstrates her commitment and capacity to develop the service and make the necessary changes to improve the quality of care provided to young people.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/05/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: SC042652 3 18/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 31/10/2016 Full Requires improvement 01/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

Currently there are no areas identified as requiring improvement.

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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 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: After Care (NW) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 45 Kensington Road, Southport, Merseyside PR9 0RT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Timothy Blundell

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Susan Cashman Inspection report children’s home: SC042652 4

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Inspector

Marina Tully, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC042652 5 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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