Children's Home run by PIC Children’s Services in St Helens

Inspection report for children’s home: SC022442 1 SC022442 Registered provider: PIC Children’s Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns this home, which provides care for one child.

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Inspection date: 17 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 17 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC022442 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, four requirements were made. These have all been met. The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2022. She ensures that children’s needs are met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a child has moved into a semi-independent provision. Prior to the child leaving, staff worked hard to ensure that she had gained the necessary independence skills she would need such as budgeting, cooking and shopping. The staff remain in contact with the child and supported a positive ending.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new child has recently moved into the home. This move was well planned and organised. The manager put a clear transition plan in place. As a result, the child is settled.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a much more homely feel. There is new flooring in the kitchen and the bathroom has been redecorated with colourful pictures in the bathroom and lounge. The child’s bedroom is personalised and has a new carpet. The staff office has also been refurbished. Furthermore, the home has a designated sensory area, which gives the child an additional place to support their emotional well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the child’s risks and, since the last inspection, the manager has ensured that risk assessments are more robust. There is a new template in place that clearly identifies actions staff must take to keep the child safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical intervention is minimal. There has been one occasion when the child went missing from home. This incident was well managed, and staff worked collaboratively with the police to return the child safely back to the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have completed all relevant training in line with the child’s needs. The child is subject to a court directed order and staff received training prior to the child moving in. This supports the staff team to understand what this means for the child. However, leaders and managers should ensure there is an up-to-date copy of the order on file to ensure that the safety of the child is not compromised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child is making good progress. They are building a good rapport with staff. Staff are caring and supportive. This was observed during the inspection. The child told the inspector that he knew how to make a complaint and said, ‘Staff are sound and the manager sorts everything out for me.’ Feedback from the social worker was positive. She said, ‘Communication is fantastic, and staff share information to keep me up to date.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC022442 3 Staff support the child to maintain positive relationships with important people in their life. This is monitored and reviewed and adapted if required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been improvements made to the external monitoring and there is a new independent visitor in place. Reports are now being sent in a timely way and the overall quality has been enhanced.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has made improvements to the internal monitoring and reviewing arrangements. She has spent a lot of time devising new systems and paperwork following the last inspection. These systems are well organised and provide the manager with effective oversight of the home. Additionally, the new reviewing mechanisms have meant that the quality-of-care review reads well and identifies actions that need to be taken to ensure there is continual improvements made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is adequate staff in place and there are plans to increase the size of the team. However, the manager must ensure that she includes her actual hours worked on the roster. Inspection report for children’s home: SC022442 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/12/2019 Full Good 19/03/2019 Interim Not judged Inspection report for children’s home: SC022442 5

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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

Other records Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4.

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the manager’s hours must be added to the roster to show her actual hours worked. 22 April 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that where a child is routinely deprived of their liberty, an up-to-date copy of the court order should be on file. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 50, paragraph 9.63)

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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.

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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 for children’s home: SC022442 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: PIC Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC022442 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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