Children's Home run by Building Bridges Care Homes Ltd in St Helens

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC063284 1 SC063284

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Registered provider: Building Bridges Care Homes Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company and provides care for up to five children. The provider specialises in caring for children who may have social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 20 September 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC063284 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

This is a large home, and communal rooms have been redecorated to make it feel more modern and homely, although further improvements and additional maintenance tasks are required.

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The care of children

Children are making good progress and have developed trusting relationships with staff. Staff have introduced family game nights each evening to support positive relationships with the children. Children said, ‘We have fun, and people are nice here,’ and ‘Nobody shouts. Everyone is really nice and helpful.’ Children understand the reasons for rules and boundaries in the home and feel they are implemented fairly and consistently.

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The care of children

Staff support children with their education. All children have weekly planners that include educational activities alongside enjoyable activities. This helps children understand their plans for the week.

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The care of children

Staff support children to get involved in local clubs. Staff encourage children to remain active and take care of their health and hygiene.

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The care of children

The staff team is supported by a therapist who provides regular advice and guidance relevant to each child. This provides a safe environment for children to share their thoughts and feelings.

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The safety of children

Staff have a good understanding of each child’s individual needs. They know how best to support children through difficult times. Children said that they ‘love’ living in the home and ‘feel safe’ with their staff team.

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The safety of children

Staff complete direct-work sessions with children to help them better understand how to take care of themselves and stay safe, both in their home and in the community.

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The safety of children

Children’s risks have decreased since moving to this home. When children go missing from home, staff follow safeguarding procedures. Children’s plans are regularly updated to reflect their individual needs.

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The safety of children

Staff use physical interventions as a last resort. When staff have had to restrain a child, they have recorded the incident appropriately. The manager evaluates any Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC063284 3 restraint to determine if it is necessary and proportionate. When restraints do occur, the manager reflects with the staff team about what they can learn from the incident.

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The safety of children

The involvement of the police to manage behaviour has decreased significantly, and the police have only been called to ensure the welfare of one child. On one occasion, one child was arrested while out in the community. The manager failed to notify Ofsted of this arrest. This does not allow the regulator to have oversight of what is happening in the home.

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The safety of children

One incident contained a discrepancy in the records, making it unclear whether or not an allegation was made. As this record was added quite some time after the incident and the manager was not made aware of it, it had not been referred to the necessary safeguarding officer or the regulator.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2022 and is experienced and suitably qualified. She has a good understanding of the children’s needs and positive aspirations for their futures. The manager has fully addressed all requirements from the previous inspection of this home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There is a stable team of staff in place. They are working towards the necessary qualifications for their role. Staff are knowledgeable and bring varied and relevant experiences to their practice in the home. The manager provides appropriate training and development opportunities to the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff feel well supported by managers. One staff member said, ‘I have always found the managers supportive.’ One staff member reflected on the progress the team has made since the last inspection and said, ‘The home is more settled and calmer. It’s a happier home. I love the kids, and I know they are happy here.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has good internal monitoring systems and makes good use of independent monitoring to ensure that staff provide consistent care to the children. The manager is reflective and evaluative in her approach and challenges staff practice when needed. This oversight promotes the safety of the children living in this home. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC063284 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/11/2021 Full Good 15/01/2020 Full Good 12/12/2018 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC063284 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

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; or

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(c) 12 May 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home maintains a clean environment that supports children’s physical, mental and emotional health. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 33 paragraph 7.3)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand the processes for reporting allegations, specifically to inform the manager immediately if an allegation is made. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 44 paragraph 9.17)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC063284 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Building Bridges Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Mill Farm, Bull Bridge Lane, Liverpool L10 6LZ

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Inspector

Aislinn Cooper, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC063284 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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