Children's home run by Restorative Social Care Services Ltd

Inspection report children’s home: 1252095 1 Registered provider: Inspire Social Care Services

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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 home is privately operated. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Currently, the home is operating as a solo placement provision. The registered manager is highly experienced and suitably qualified to lead and manage the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 6 December 2017

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1252095 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/12/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/06/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1252095 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The placement of this young person has been highly successful. Professionals, the manager, the staff and the young person are exceptionally proud of the overall progress that has been made in the longevity of the placement and in the sustained achievements of the young person. A professional who has been involved with the young person for five years said: ‘Twelve months ago nobody would have believed, including the young person, that she would have stayed in a placement as long as she has. The staff have done a remarkable job at stabilising her.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The experiences of the young person living at the home have really enhanced her life chances, setting the foundations for a successful transition into independence. Education has been a key factor. With the support and persistence of the manager and the staff, the young person has a bespoke education package tailored to her interest in animal welfare that combines more formal studies in mathematics and English. The young person has achieved 100% attendance and travels independently to school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Simultaneously, the young person has been supported to secure voluntary work in a childcare setting that will contribute to her post-16 education studies at college. With this increased confidence, the young person has completed a curriculum vitae with the help of staff, with the prospect of voluntary work turning into paid employment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The overall atmosphere in the home is warm and nurturing, and very much replicates a family environment. The young person responds well to this style of parenting, balancing her need for increased independence with the appropriate levels of supervision and oversight. At the same time, the staff have continued to promote and facilitate family contact. The young person enjoyed extended overnight contact with her family throughout the festive season.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The young person has made substantial progress in her independence and life skills programme due to the innovative and resourceful strategies that have been tried and tested by the staff team. Independence work mirrors the supported living approach that has included the young person budgeting for her food shopping and planning menus for the following week.

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

The young person’s risks and vulnerabilities are clearly understood and managed well by a diligent and resourceful staff team. The plans in place to reduce potential and actual risks are robust, proportionate and effective. Missing-from-care episodes have significantly reduced. This reduction has resulted in the young person having more unsupervised free time in accordance with her independence plan.

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

The young person’s inability to manage predictable and natural changes in her life continues to cause some instability and provoke anxieties. This, at times, manifests itself Inspection report children’s home: 1252095 4 in volatile and challenging behaviours and self-harm. Due to the consistent restorative approach by the staff team, and through specialist consultative support, these dips into negative behaviours are becoming less frequent. The young person feels safe and has trust in the adults who care for her, and this enables her to reflect on and manage her anxieties in a less harmful way.

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

Actions to reduce risk-taking behaviours are responded to in a well-managed and coordinated way. The use of the internet and social media by the young person continues to be monitored and supervised. The staff have received specialist training in child sexual exploitation that has resulted in the young person beginning to understand the risks and consequences associated with her behaviour.

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

Risk assessments and behaviour management plans are relevant, of good quality and regularly reviewed and updated. This informs practice in managing risk. During the inspection, the young person was able to verbalise and share her views on her understanding of behaviours that are unhealthy and unsafe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is highly experienced and suitably qualified. He has high aspirations for the home and is inspirational in his style of leadership. The staff are supported and encouraged to promote their learning and professional development. This equips the staff to feel confident in their role, which helps them to focus on the needs of the young person.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager adopts a very robust monitoring and auditing process that underpins the high-quality recording activity. Reading the files provides an excellent account of the journey the young person has been on, and provides a wealth of insight on the progress and achievements made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has a very clear understanding of his roles and responsibilities in respect of providing high-quality care. Regular communication with all relevant individuals ensures that plans for the young person are on track. Serious events are reported in accordance with the regulatory guidance, and all professionals, family members and relevant organisations are regularly updated on the health and well-being of the young person.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team is exposed to a wide range of training opportunities relevant to the young person in placement. These have included training in child sexual exploitation, self-harm and restorative practice. Each member of staff has regular quality and reflective supervision, and new staff receive a comprehensive induction programme. Inspection report children’s home: 1252095 5

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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 children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: 1252095 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Inspire Social Care Services

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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

Cath Sikakana, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1252095 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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