Children's Home run by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council in St Helens

Inspection report for children’s home: SC063550 1 SC063550 Registered provider: St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority children’s home. The statement of purpose states that the home provides care for up to four children with social and emotional and difficulties.

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Inspection date: 29 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 13 September 2021

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Inspection date: 29 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 29 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC063550 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.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been no registered manager in post since April 2021. Although the provider has now re-appointed a previous manager, she has not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the same child remains living at the home. She is making good progress and is settled. Since the last inspection, staff have completed a wide variety of training which has helped to equip them with the skills to meet the child’s individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Consistent routines and boundaries are helping the child to progress and thrive. The child is encouraged and supported to stay fit and healthy and has access to a range of services that support physical and emotional well-being. Work is being done to encourage healthy eating.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a sufficient understanding of their safeguarding roles. The management evaluation of incidents has improved. Reflective practice and regular workshops have enhanced practice. Staff are now benefiting from regular training and supervision. However, supervision sessions do not always discuss practice or areas of development. This means that there are missed opportunities to make improvements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have worked hard to make improvements to the decor and furnishings of the home. They have created a warm and welcoming environment. Staff encourage children to feel at home and to personalise their bedrooms. The child has lots of toys and books in her bedroom.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team has acted decisively to deal with the weaknesses found at the last inspection. More robust monitoring systems have been introduced to help review the quality of care provided to children but need to embed into practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of the inspection, the responsible individual was absent from work. The provider has appointed someone to cover in the interim. External and internal monitoring reports are not sent to Ofsted in line with regulation. The last report was received by Ofsted in June 2020. This means that Ofsted cannot monitor the quality of care provided for the child effectively. Two requirements from the last inspection is still not met. A further requirement has been issued at this inspection Inspection report for children’s home: SC063550 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/11/2019 Full Inadequate 11/07/2018 Full Good 04/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC063550 4

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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 provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

is not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)) 25 April 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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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

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to—

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Requirement Due date

upon request, the local authority for the area in which the home is located; 25 April 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC063550 5 the placing authorities of children;

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Requirement Due date

the registered provider and, if applicable, the registered manager; and the responsible individual (if one is nominated). (Regulation 44 (1) (4)(a)(b)(c) (5) (7)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e))

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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, 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.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”)

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5)) 25 April 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC063550 6

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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: SC063550 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Children & Young People Services, Atlas House, 2 Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside WA9 1LD

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Inspectors

Jessica Higginson, Social Care Inspector Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC063550 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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