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

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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 private children‟s home provides care and accommodate for three young people.

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Information about this children’s home

There is no registered manager at this home. There is an acting manager who is preparing her application to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 23 January 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children‟s home: SC042652 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/01/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/05/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 31/10/2016 Full Requires improvement Inspection report children‟s home: SC042652 3

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must give notice in writing to HMCI, as soon as it is reasonably practicable to do so, if any of the following events take place or are expected by the registered person to take place-

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Requirement Due date

a person other than the registered person carries on or manages the children‟s home;

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Requirement Due date

a person ceases to carry on or manage the home. (Regulation 49 (a)(b)) 29/06/2018

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person‟s report to HMCI. (Regulation 44 (7)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This is specifically in relation to sending the reports in a timely way and ensuring that the information provided is evaluated. 29/06/2018

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children‟s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)) 29/06/2018

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and 29/06/2018 Inspection report children‟s home: SC042652 4 within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)(b)(ii))

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Recommendations

 The home‟s record of a notifiable event must include the outcome of any resulting investigation. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 63, paragraph 14.14) This is specifically in relation to informing Ofsted of the outcome.

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Recommendations

 Young people should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 28, paragraph 5.15) In particular, ensure that there is an educational timetable to demonstrate what support is being offered when young people are not in full-time education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people live in a caring, friendly and supportive home. Staff give the young people the help and guidance that they need to grow by being understanding and patient. A professional said, „They have supported her through some difficult periods and the message to her is that they are not giving up on her. This has helped her to settle and make good choices.‟ A young person said, „I always wanted to return to my home town but now I want to stay here. I love it.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people‟s plans are updated regularly. Any changes in the plans are discussed thoroughly with them and in staff meetings. This means that everyone knows and understands what support is required on a daily basis. In addition to this, young people have regular key-worker sessions, house meetings and daily chats. As a result, the young people have several opportunities to express their opinions and views.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Prior to coming to this home, both young people had been out of education for a significant period of time. The acting manager and staff have worked closely with a range of educational professionals to secure alternative education placements. The Inspection report children‟s home: SC042652 5 young people‟s attendance at these provisions is good. There is a plan in place to increase the hours that they attend for. However, at the moment they only attend in the mornings and there is no formal timetable for the afternoon period. This does not give a good structure to the young people‟s day.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home excels in making sure that the young people‟s voices are heard, especially in regard to contact. One young person has recently established contact with a parent who she has not seen for a long time. Her parent said, „I am impressed with the home and I cannot thank them enough for making this happen.‟ Another young person does not wish to have a lot of contact and his wish is respected. Both young people live a good distance from their home towns. Staff plan and supervise family visits well. Therefore, spending time with their families is a safe and enjoyable experience for the young people.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have good access to a range of health professionals. Staff provide young people with suitable information about healthy lifestyles, and encourage participation in activities such as walking and going to the gym. In addition to this, young people enjoy a range of activities. They like going to the cinema and the beach, and being with their friends. One young person said, „I like staying in and watching films and having beauty treatments‟. Another young person said, „I used to attend cadets and I am looking to do this again. I want to be a pilot.‟ This shows that young people are able to maintain their interests, have fun and be part of their community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm, welcoming and decorated to a high standard. The young people have been involved in choosing the new furniture and they help to keep the home tidy. The inspector observed the young people ironing their school uniforms and making their own lunch and tea. This shows that the young people are building skills that will assist them in later life.

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

The young people said that they feel safe in the home. One young person said, „I feel safe because I feel cared for. The staff show concern. They are interested in us and they are always honest with us. This is important to me.‟ The acting manager and staff are aware of the individual risks for the young people. Appropriate strategies are in place to manage and reduce the risks that young people may face, in and out of the home.

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

There has been one safeguarding incident that was forwarded to the designated officer for the local authority (DO). The outcome of the investigation was that no further action was necessary. However, the acting manager did not share this information with Ofsted. Consequently, Ofsted did not have good oversight of the incident and the action taken by the home. In contrast to this, the DO said that the acting manager raises appropriate issues, discusses concerns with her and takes suitable action when necessary. The local community police officer said, „The new manager is excellent. She often rings for advice and we pop in for a general chat. My observations are that the young people are a lot more settled and it is good to see them laughing and having fun.‟ Inspection report children‟s home: SC042652 6 There has been a significant reduction in young people going missing from this home. There has been one incident since the home‟s last inspection. Staff followed the local

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

authority protocol and both young people returned home safe and well. Return interviews were completed by an independent person. This means that young people are able to share details that may uncover information that can help to protect them in the community or from risk factors at the home, and prevent them from going missing again. This also gives staff valuable information when talking with the young people and putting strategies in place to reduce the risk. All professionals and parents spoken with said that this is an excellent achievement and shows how well the young people have settled at the home.

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

Staff have not needed to hold young people for their safety or the safety of others. Staff work confidently with young people to find the best possible way to help them manage their emotions. The young people said that the staff are calm and consistent when they are upset or angry. One young person said that because of this he is now ready to accept professional help. The young people have flourished because the staff base their care on positive reinforcement and reward. Occasionally, young people have received a sanction for displaying undesirable behaviour. However, the acting manager has not assessed the effectiveness of the sanction, for example when, on three occasions, one young person has had his pocket money withheld for 24 hours. This does not show whether this sanction has any impact on reducing the specific behaviour.

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

Safe recruitment and health and safety practice at the home means that only the most suitable staff work at the home, and that it is a safe place to live. Staff have the knowledge and skills to care for the young people well. This is because they receive good training opportunities in safeguarding, child sexual exploitation and related matters. This training is refreshed regularly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The registered manager left this home in December 2017. Another manager from the company took over. Subsequently, she left and the deputy manager was appointed as the acting manager. However, the registered manager and the responsible individual did not formally notify Ofsted. Therefore, Ofsted did not know who was in day-to-day charge of the home. The acting manager has been in post for three months and she is ready to submit her application for the registered manager‟s position. She is suitably qualified and has a wide range of knowledge and experience in youth work and in management.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There are sufficient staff to meet the needs of the young people. Staff who spoke to the inspector demonstrated a real commitment to their role, and they were able to reflect on how this has helped the young people to progress. Staff said that the acting manager was knowledgeable, shared her experiences of working with vulnerable young people and adults, and that she worked as part of the team. A member of staff described her as „a breath of fresh air‟.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff said that team meetings had significantly improved. The acting manager makes sure that research and practice issues are discussed, alongside caring for the young Inspection report children‟s home: SC042652 7 people. When night staff cannot attend the meeting, the home organises a digital video conference so that they can take part. This means that staff have the most up-to-date information available to them and that they are able to offer a consistent approach when working with the young people. All staff hold, or are undertaking, a suitable childcare qualification. This ensures that staff have the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The acting manager and staff work collaboratively with a range of agencies and professionals who are involved in the young people‟s care, to secure positive outcomes for them. Professionals and parents spoke positively about the acting manager and staff and the progress that young people make because of the good quality of care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Independent scrutiny of the home requires improvement. The monthly reports are brief, and they often contain a list of dates rather than an evaluation of the information provided. Also, they have not been sent to Ofsted in a timely manner. Ofsted has not received a quality of care review since June 2017. This does not ensure that there is good oversight of the home or that there is a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the service. Therefore, the service cannot demonstrate how it will develop or improve.

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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: SC042652 8

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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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Inspector

Pam Nuckley, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC042652 9 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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