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

Inspection report children’s home: 1224251 1 Registered provider: Inspire Children’s Services Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

 The home can accommodate two young people; boys and girls aged 5 to 17 years who are unable to live in their own family setting.  The manager has been registered since October 2017.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 19 December 2017

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/12/2017 Full Good 28/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 31/08/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1224251 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Requirement Due date

The registered person must— keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b)) 17/08/2018

p.2

Recommendations

 When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people were seen during this inspection. They were observed to have positive relationships with the staff. Young people are comfortable and relaxed in their home and were happy to talk and spend time with the inspector.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well-maintained. It is personalised throughout with photographs of the young people who live there. Staff support young people to make happy memories. Photographs of the young people showed them engaging in baking activities and enjoying days out at the seaside.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education attendance has improved since the last inspection. Staff want young people to gain good outcomes for their long-term futures. They find out what young people are interested in. They encourage and support them to develop these interests. One young person is looking forward to starting a mechanics course at college. This builds young people’s confidence and assists them to prepare for future jobs.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff develop individual care plans for young people. They understand young people’s specific needs. They plan young people’s care, taking into account their histories. Inspection report children’s home: 1224251 3 The care plans are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that they reflect any changes in young people’s care.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide opportunities for young people to give their views on their care. They choose their activities and what they like to eat. Young people can share any concerns they have with their staff. They know how to make a complaint and who to contact if they needed to raise concerns with someone who is independent from the home.

p.3

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

Staff are committed to maintaining the safety and well-being of the young people. Individual risk assessments are regularly reviewed to ensure that any changes are recorded. The information is shared between the staff team, to ensure that young people receive consistent care.

p.3

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

All staff receive training in managing behaviours and the use of de-escalation methods. Since the last inspection, there have been no incidents of physical intervention. When sanctions have been used, they are well recorded and are proportionate.

p.3

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

Some young people are using their free time safely. The home’s area risk assessment provides information on locations that young people need to avoid. Staff teach young people how to use the internet safely and how to keep safe in the community.

p.3

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

There have been six occasions when young people did not return from their education provision. When this happens, staff follow the missing from home procedures. They acknowledge that young people want to be with their friends. Staff visit the homes of young people’s friends to ensure that they are safe and well.

p.3

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

There has been one occasion when a young person was not provided with an independent return home interview. This does not demonstrate that young people have someone to talk to who is independent from the home and is a missed opportunity.

p.3

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

Staff complete health and safety checks on a daily basis. This ensures that the environment is safe and free from hazards.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has the necessary management qualification. The manager is experienced and has a good understanding of the young people’s needs. He is a dedicated and motivated leader who has good oversight of the home.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home’s statement of purpose sets out the aims and objectives of the service. The inspector has not received the updated statement of purpose as required. A requirement is made to address this shortfall.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager monitors the service on a regular basis. He evaluates the progress of young people and gives consideration to the plans for the service. Inspection report children’s home: 1224251 4 The manager provides his staff with regular supervision that is of good quality. Monthly staff meetings provide a forum for staff to discuss young people’s progress and any practice issues. All new staff complete induction training. They familiarise themselves with policies, procedures and practice in the home.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is approachable. It is evident that the young people have a good relationship with him, and are relaxed in his company. He gains young people’s opinions on their care and supports them to attend their meetings, and to share their views on their care and long-term plan.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works well with social workers, education staff and health professionals. This ensures that young people receive a range of care that is specific to their needs. This is effective in helping young people to make positive progress in terms of their individual goals, including keeping themselves safe from harm.

p.4

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.

p.4

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: 1224251 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Inspire Children’s Services Limited

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 3, Craig Court, Standish Street, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 1GJ

p.5

Inspector

Jo Hornby, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1224251 6 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.

p.5

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6