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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is one of several owned by a private company. The home is registered to care for two children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home’s manager was registered in June 2019.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC040785 2

p.1

children 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 improved effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The current child has lived at the home for over 18 months and is very settled. He has a very close bond with the staff and manager. Staff understand his need for nurture, hugs and cuddles. They respond appropriately by showing him great affection and ensuring that he feels loved. The manager said, ‘We love him, and he loves us.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child has clear routines that help him to manage his emotions and behave well. Because alterations to his routine cause him anxiety, staff carefully prepare him for any changes. For example, staff take the time to explain to the child why they will be away from work for holidays or training. The manager arranged to make a video call to the child when she was away on holiday because she knew that this would help him to cope with the change. Staff are good at making decisions with the child so that he is able to understand the reasons for any changes to his routine.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Health arrangements are very thorough and ensure that the child’s complex health needs are well met. The child has a healthy lifestyle, which includes regular exercise. Weekly menu-planning is done with the child so that healthy eating can be built into his routines. Staff follow advice from a dietitian so that the child can maintain a healthy weight.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education arrangements are very strong. The child has had no unauthorised absence from school. He is helped to do well at school because staff supplement his school work with their own spelling tests, mathematics tests and reading challenges. The manager and staff communicate effectively with the child’s school. For example, they have offered behaviour management support to teachers. Staff have also made efforts to improve the child’s progress by requesting additional and more-challenging homework.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is very effective. Staff receive good support. They are regularly supervised and well trained. Performance management systems are good. Any shortfalls in practice are quickly identified and rectified. The manager provides regular opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice and learn from their mistakes.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has strong links with local safeguarding agencies. Safeguarding systems are effective because the manager operates in a very transparent manner, sharing any potential safeguarding concerns fully with the appropriate agencies.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements set at the last inspection have been met in full. As a result, the home’s statement of purpose is now up to date and staff have a better Inspection report children’s home: SC040785 3 understanding of the particular needs of the child who lives at the home. One recommendation has also been met: the manager now reviews behaviour support strategies regularly to evaluate their effectiveness. The second recommendation set at the last inspection is being addressed by the development of a workforce development plan. However, this plan is not yet completed and so the recommendation is repeated.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is generally clean, well decorated and well presented. However, some areas, particularly the bathroom and garden, are looking tired and are in need of refurbishment. Inspection report children’s home: SC040785 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/05/2019 Full Good 21/08/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/03/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/07/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC040785 5

p.4

Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9). This is with particular reference to the home’s bathroom and garden area that are not currently well presented.

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20) The plan should: detail the necessary management and staffing structure, (including any staff commissioned to provide health and education), the experience and qualifications of staff currently working within the staffing structure and any further training required for those staff, to enable the delivery of the homes Statement of Purpose; detail the processes and agreed timescales for staff to achieve induction, probation and any core training (such as safeguarding, health and safety and mandatory qualifications); detail the process for managing and improving poor performance; detail the process and timescales for supervision of practice (see regulation 33 (4) (b)) and keep appropriate records for staff in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’,

p.5

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.

p.5

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC040785 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: PIC Children’s Services Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Inspector

Philip Cass, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC040785 7 to 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.6

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 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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7