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

Inspection report for children's home: SC441410 1 SC441410 Registered provider: Inspire Children’s Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. The provider states in the home’s statement of purpose that it provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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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: 9 February 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

At the last inspection, three compliance notices were issued under protection of children, leadership and management and notifications of serious events. These were considered as part of this inspection. Following this inspection, the inspector found that all the notices and previous requirements had been fully met. Inspection report for children's home: SC441410 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/02/2022 Full Inadequate 11/06/2019 Full Good 18/12/2018 Full Good 13/12/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC441410 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is currently one child living at the home. He has lived in the home for a few months and has settled well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well maintained. The child’s bedroom has recently been painted. The colour was chosen by the child, and his bedroom is a personalised space for him to spend time in. There are framed photos throughout the home. This supports him to feel a sense of belonging to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child receives support from a dedicated staff team that provides good-quality care. Staff are keen for him to have the best opportunities and have built up nurturing relationships. The child rated the home a nine out of 10.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

From his starting point, the child has made significant progress in his school attendance. He has had an opportunity to share his views at a recent education review. As a result, the child is now attending school on a full-time basis.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has recently started to develop his independence skills with support from staff. He is helping to set the table each day and wash the dishes. This is helping him to learn new age-appropriate skills which will develop as he gets older.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have helped the child strengthen his relationships with family members. As a result, the child is spending more time with his family, which the child is happy about.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff offer the child a wide range of activities. He recently bought some boxing equipment, which he enjoys using. He is making plans, with staff, to go wild camping in the summer and has recently purchased a fishing rod so that he can go fishing in his spare time. This means he has opportunities to stay active and healthy and spend quality time with staff.

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

Staff have a clear understanding of the child’s risks. Managers ensure that risk management plans and behaviour support plans are detailed and provide staff with clear guidance and strategies to support the child. Staff understand these plans, and leaders and managers regularly review the plans to ensure that any new and emerging risks are considered.

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

Safeguarding concerns are well managed. For example, on one occasion when the child refused to take his medication, staff ensured that they sought advice from a medical professional. Additionally, when there was a concern highlighted about substance misuse, staff followed this up without delay. This helps keep the child safe. Inspection report for children's home: SC441410 4 All staff are suitably trained in the administration of medication. There are robust procedures in place for the safe storage and administration of medicines. The child has recently been supported to attend his medication review meeting. This ensures that his voice is heard and that he has the right treatment in place to support his health and emotional well-being.

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

Staff use sanctions which are restorative in nature. Incentives are encouraged and used to promote positive behaviour. This provides the child with motivation to make good choices and celebrate the progress he has made.

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

There is good-quality direct work taking place with the child. This is helping the child to learn the importance of taking his medication regularly, the dangers of substance misuse and the risks associated with county lines. Furthermore, the child has recently completed some online training to help him understand why carers worry about him when he does not return home on time. As a result, risk-taking behaviours have significantly reduced and the child is making good progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A new manager has been permanently appointed since the last inspection. He has extensive experience of working with children in residential care. He also manages one of the organisation’s other homes. He is currently in the process of submitting his application to become registered. The manager is aspirational for the child and has a child-focused approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has identified some areas for development within the home. He has strengthened the team with additional staff, and a more organised management structure is in place. As a result, the home’s paperwork is more organised, reporting and recording are good and there is improved leadership in place. The manager has identified new monitoring and reviewing processes and is working on fully implementing these in the coming weeks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say the manager is supportive. They receive regular supervision, and team meetings are well attended. The quality of the supervision has improved, and the team minutes are detailed. This helps support staff in delivering consistent practice and is effective in sharing information across the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have good access to a wide range of training. Staff value the training and state that it supports them to meet the specific needs of the child they care for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership working is positive. The parent and social worker commented on the effective communication between themselves and staff and the good progress the child is making in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager should ensure that the rota clearly identifies the days he is working in the home. Additionally, when changes have been required to the planned staffing arrangements, the manager should ensure that these changes are clearly recorded on the rota. A recommendation has been made to reflect this. Inspection report for children's home: SC441410 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they plan the staffing levels to meet the needs of the children and can respond flexibly to unexpected events. In particular, should additional cover be required due to staff absence, this needs to be reflected on the rota. Additionally, the manager should identify the days in the week that he is working in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.15)

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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: SC441410 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Inspire Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC441410 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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