Children's Home run by PIC Children’s Services in Sefton

Inspection report children’s home: SC040785 1 SC040785 Registered provider: PIC Children’s Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a limited company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for two young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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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 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

This is a well-managed service that provides a good quality of care, which supports young people to make good progress. Since the last inspection, the same group of young people have remained in the home and they have all continued to make progress in their health and emotional well-being. Both young people said that they have adults they can talk to if they are worried or upset, and both say that they feel safe living at the home. As a result, episodes of self-harming behaviour have significantly decreased. When young people go missing from the home, staff adhere to good working practices and procedures. The recorded dialogue provides a comprehensive chronology of events. Collaborative working with the police ensures that young people return home safe and well. This has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of times that young people are missing from home. Inspection report children’s home: SC040785 2

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education is given a high priority. When young people are excluded or refuse to attend their education provision, staff and the manager are proactive in ensuring that all professionals meet to identify alternative arrangements. This ensures that a planned approach is taken in relation to young people’s education, and that their individual needs will not be allowed to drift. Consequently, staff at the home are equipped to promote the importance of learning and education for all young people. Staff nurture, care for and are attentive to the needs of young people. Relationships are strong. Staff have time for young people. They support young people emotionally, and records show in-depth discussions with young people about what is important to them at that time. Staff are consistent with their parenting approach; they challenge young people appropriately and instil firm boundaries that assist young people to achieve and

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

manage their emotions more constructively. Behaviour management is based on praise and includes young people’s views on what works for them when they are upset or distressed. Permanent staff working at the home are of a high calibre. They are young person- centred and are well trained in caring for young people who have complex needs. The staff are supported well to carry out their caring tasks through training, supervision and annual appraisals. This ensures that staff are consistent and that they provide a continuity of care to young people. A social worker commented, ‘Staff have a really good insight to her needs and they manage risk very well.’ However, the manager failed to ensure that all staff working at the home have the relevant training and experience to meet the needs of the young people. For example, on the day of the inspection, the staff member working alone at the home was not a permanent member of staff and was

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

covering for sickness absence. This staff member was within her probationary period and, as such, she had not completed sufficient training to meet the needs of young people living at the home. Although the staff member was knowledgeable about aspects of self-harming behaviour, she had not received formal training on the subject. The registered manager continues to improve the service for the young people’s benefit. She demonstrates good leadership skills and has made improvements to the running of the home. As a result, staff feel supported and focused on improving the lives of the young people in their care. A staff member commented, ‘There has been a massive improvement in the support we get and I feel my own work has improved as a result.’ The home is decorated and furnished to a very good standard and provides a homely and welcoming environment for young people. Bedrooms have been highly personalised

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

and reflect the individual preferences of young people. The independent monitoring of the home continues to be ineffective. The reports still do not provide a rigorous evaluation of the care and protection provided to young people living at the home. Furthermore, they do not take place on a monthly basis. The reports that have been received by both the registered manager and Ofsted are three months behind schedule. As a result, action to improve the quality of care at the home has been impeded. Inspection report children’s home: SC040785 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/07/2017 Full Good 23/01/2017 Interim Not judged 07/07/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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, 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

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person— if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires. 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 whether the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44(2)(b)(4)(a)(b)) 23/04/2018

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the home has enough suitably trained staff on duty to meet the assessed needs of all children in the home. The registered person must demonstrate every effort to achieve continuity of staffing so that children’s attachments are not overly disrupted, including ensuring that the employment of any temporary staff will not prevent children from receiving the continuity of care that they need. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 51, paragraph 10.1) Inspection report children’s home: SC040785 4

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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: PIC Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 North Street, Haydock, St. Helens, Merseyside WA11 0TW

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Inspector

Elaine Allison, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC040785 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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