Children's home run by 2nd Nurture Limited in St. Helens

Inspection report children’s home: SC454265 1 SC454265 Registered provider: 2nd Nurture Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns the home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The current manager was registered with Ofsted in March 2014.

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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 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: 17 October 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC454265 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/10/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/01/2017 Interim Not judged 12/10/2016 Full Good 29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC454265 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

A person may only manage a children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children.

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Requirement Due date

For the purpose of paragraph (1)(b)(i), a person has the appropriate experience and qualification if the person has—

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Requirement Due date

the level 5 diploma in Leadership and Management for residential childcare (England) (‘the level 5 diploma’); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered provider considers equivalent to the level 5 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

In the case of a person who was managing a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2017. (Regulation 28 (1)(b)(i)(2)(c)(3)(b)) 29/11/2018

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Requirement Due date

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—

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This is specifically in relation to ensuring that the information provided is evaluated. 29/11/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least once every 6 months.

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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, 29/11/2018 Inspection report children’s home: SC454265 4 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)) The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This is specifically in relation to ensuring that the area report is updated and that it is used in conjunction with a young person’s impact risk assessment to ensure the area is safe for them. 29/11/2018

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young person is relatively new to this home. A professional said, ‘The progress that he has made is startling. He used to be at the top of my list of concerns and constantly on my mind. However, because of the progress he is making and the good care that he is given, I can concentrate on other young people now.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Prior to the young person coming to this home, the manager ensured that she had all the relevant information about his history and his needs. As a result, she had all the information that she needed to make sure that the home could care for him well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young person is in an alternative education provision that is overseen by his appointed mainstream school. He is making good progress and has 100% attendance. The manager and the young person’s social worker are hopeful that with the progression that the young person is making, that he will return to his mainstream school in the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young person’s care plans are regularly updated. Any changes are discussed with the young person, discussed in staff meetings and shared with professionals. This means Inspection report children’s home: SC454265 5 that everyone is aware of any changes and that staff are clear about the support that the young person needs daily. The young person shares his views, wishes and feelings through regular key-worker sessions, house meetings and daily chats.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young person is in good health. He has attended all check-ups and does not need any further treatment. He receives additional support from the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) for his emotional and behavioural difficulties. Although staff from CAMHS do not share confidential information with the staff team, there are plans for them to attend a staff meeting. This will give the staff team a better insight into the young person’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff and manager worked closely with the young person’s foster carer before he came to live at this home. They saw that the young person was given lots of sugary items, especially to pacify him when his behaviour was not good. They researched and discussed the effects of sugar and linked this to his hyperactivity. As a result, the young person has been on a healthy diet with a reduced sugar intake. This has had an enormously positive effect on his behaviour. A professional said, ‘It is astonishing the difference this has made.’ Further to this, the young person said that he is proud of himself and the good snack option choices that he makes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the young person to have regular contact with his family. Staff transport him to and from the agreed venue. The local authority supervises the meeting to ensure that the young person is safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A range of activities are offered to the young person. He enjoys attending soft-play centres and parks and going swimming and to farms. The home has bought a season ticket to a safari park because the young person loves animals. This means that he can go as often as he wants to. In addition to this, the young person likes to play at the home and make things. The staff have bought a variety of craft items to help him express himself through art. He is currently enjoying making a car from cardboard boxes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm, welcoming and decorated and furnished to a good standard. The young person’s bedroom, bedding and accessories show his enjoyment of superheroes.

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

The young person did not wish to talk to the inspector, but his social worker said that he was very safe at this home. Further to this, the inspector observed good relationships between him and the staff team. The young person was challenged quietly and sensitively when his behaviour was starting to escalate.

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

There have been no safeguarding incidents. Staff receive a range of training about safeguarding issues, such as child sexual exploitation, domestic violence and internet safety. They work closely with other safeguarding professionals when incidents occur. Therefore, they have the knowledge and skills to care for the young person well. In addition to this they are vigilant, and the young person receives a high level of support Inspection report children’s home: SC454265 6 and supervision.

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

Known or emerging risks are clearly identified in the young person’s care plans. Therefore, staff have a clear understanding of the young person’s vulnerabilities, and clear strategies guide staff in supporting the young person in a safe way. This effective planning minimises the risks to the young person’s safety and well-being.

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

The young person has not been reported missing from this home and he has not been restrained. Staff receive regular training in these areas and can show their knowledge and what action they would take if an incident were to occur

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

There is a positive approach to behaviour management. The young person is of a young age. Therefore, a star chart has been implemented to encourage him in his daily routines. A professional said, ‘The excellent routines, boundaries and consistent approach from the staff team have made a massive impact on his behaviour, and it is clear in the progress that he is making.’

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

The home has a safer location area report that shows risks in the immediate area and within the community. However, this has not been updated with risks such as the road in front of the home and what this would mean for a younger person. In addition to this, there is information about a previous young person within the report. Further to this, the manager did not use this report in deciding whether the environment was safe for the young person at the point of the referral to the home. This does not ensure that young people are safely placed at this home.

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

The company follows the safer recruitment guidance. All checks are completed and verified to make sure that members of staff are suitable to work with young people.

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

The young person lives in a physically safe environment where good health and safety procedures protect him. The young person and staff regularly practise how to leave the home safely in case of a fire. All visitors must give identification and sign in and out of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home continues to be led and managed by a suitably experienced manager. At the last inspection, the manager was asked to ensure that she completes the leadership and management qualification. The manager’s assessor has confirmed that this will be completed by October 2018. Therefore, the timescales for this to be done have been exceeded and the requirement is repeated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose sets out the ethos and aims of the home, and it is kept under review. A professional confirmed that they had been given a copy. The young person’s records are well maintained and reviewed regularly. A professional said that she receives monthly updates about the young person’s care and this helps her to keep a close eye on his care and progress. Inspection report children’s home: SC454265 7 Good levels of staffing mean that the young person’s needs are met. Staff show a real commitment to their role and speak proudly of the young person’s achievements and progress. A professional said, ‘They have got to know him so well, in such a short time and this shows in the way he is cared for and the progress that he has made.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff either hold or are working towards a relevant childcare qualification. They have regular supervision. This means that they have opportunities to reflect on their practice and discuss their development or find new training courses for their future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a variety of training. This helps them to work closely with a range of young people who have differing needs. The current young person is regressing into missed stages of development. The manager is currently looking at finding training for staff so that they can support the young person to do this safely. This shows that the manager is aware of emerging issues and takes suitable action.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff work collaboratively with a range of agencies and professionals who are involved in the young person’s care. When services have been slow or not available, the manager has challenged these shortfalls effectively. This means that the young person has received additional services to meet his emerging needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

At the last inspection, the manager was asked to ensure that regulation reports and her six-monthly monitoring report were sent promptly to Ofsted. These are now being received within the required timescales. However, external and internal scrutiny of the home need to be improved. Both reports lack evaluation, and identified actions are too generic. For example, one section says ‘all risk assessments are in place’, and another says ‘continue with support’ rather than discussing the quality of the risk assessments or identifying what further support is required. Further to this, the manager and independent visitor do not seek regular consultation with the young person, his parents or professionals to inform them about the standard of care offered at this home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Good progress has been made in addressing the requirements and recommendations, set at the last inspection in October 2017. Education plans show the arrangements and progress that the young person is making, risk assessments are clear and give staff strategies and actions to take and if an incident were to occur, the young person’s care is planned effectively, and his behaviour management plan shows his current and emerging behaviours. In addition to this, there is a workforce development plan that shows the arrangements for induction, probation periods and supervision of staff, staff references are verified, well-being checks are completed when young people are missing from the home and the young person has a wide range of activities offered to him. Most of these requirements and recommendations were centred on the previous young person’s records. The manager has taken on board these shortfalls and this is reflected

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

in good information supplied in the current young person’s records. Inspection report children’s home: SC454265 8

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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: SC454265 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: 2nd Nurture Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 64 Nathan Drive, Haydock, St Helens, Merseyside WA11 0GW

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Inspector

Pam Nuckley, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC454265 10 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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