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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC422481 1 SC422481 Registered provider: Inspire Childrens Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. The provider states in its statement of purpose that it provides care for up to two children with social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is currently one child living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 14 September 2022

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC422481 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/09/2022 Full Good 08/02/2022 Full Good 23/07/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/10/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC422481 3

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outstanding

The child living in the home is thriving. They have lived here for several years and are happy and settled. The child is cared for by an established and consistent staff team. The staff know the child exceptionally well and the child has strong relationships with them. The child is making exceptional progress in all areas.

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outstanding

Staff provide meaningful and consistent support to the child. This provides them with opportunities to learn new skills. Staff use pictorial aids and short stories that describe social situations with the child to support their communication. These are evident all throughout the home. As a result, the child has made significant progress in their communication skills. The use of sensory sessions helps the child recognise their feelings. As a result, they are now able to regulate and articulate their feelings more effectively.

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outstanding

Staff recognise potential barriers for children moving on from the home to independent living independence. They are proactive in working with the child to prepare them for this. Staff have been creative in supporting the child to understand. The development of an in-house ‘tuck shop’ has helped the child learn about using and handling money.

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outstanding

Staff work in partnership with the child’s school. This means that the child receives consistent support at home and in school with shared strategies and techniques. One education professional commented that ‘the progress [name of child] has made since living in the home is amazing’.

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outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding of the child’s health needs. They support the child to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. The significant progress the child has made since living in the home has enabled them to engage in new interests and hobbies in the community. Staff are consistently seeking new activities for the child in the community that are specific for their needs.

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outstanding

Staff support the child to spend time with family in a meaningful way. Staff are flexible in facilitating arrangements that are focused on meeting the child’s needs. They have developed excellent relationships with their family. Staff support family members to understand and manage the child’s behaviour. As a result, the child’s family now engages with the child in a more child-focused and meaningful way. This has significantly improved the child’s relationship with them.

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outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding of the child’s risks and vulnerabilities. They know the child well and recognise triggers and subtle changes in their behaviour. Inspection report for children’s home: SC422481 4 As a result, they are proactive in implementing support when needed.

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outstanding

The use of research-informed practice is embedded in the staffs’ daily interactions with the child. Staff adapt their practice in line with recent research in respect of communication. Staff encourage the child to become less dependent on the use of verbal prompts. They use supportive questioning to encourage the child to articulate their needs independently. This means that the child is now able to express themselves and manage their emotions better. The child has made excellent progress in their ability to recognise their emotions. They can now communicate to staff when they need support with their sensory needs.

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outstanding

Staff manage behaviour exceptionally well. Their strong relationships with the child mean that staff can de-escalate challenging behaviour effectively. Therefore, incidents of challenging behaviour have significantly reduced.

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outstanding

Staff always promote positive behaviour. They help the child understand the impact of their behaviour on others. As a result, the child has made excellent progress in their social awareness. Staff are forward thinking in respect of potential implications of certain behaviours for the child when they reach adulthood.

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outstanding

Staff implement clear routines and boundaries in the home. This provides consistency and stability for the child. The use of short stories that describe social situations supports the child to prepare them for new experiences. As a result, they present as less anxious and frustrated. This means that they can enjoy more activities in the community.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by an experienced registered manager. She knows the child well and understands their needs. She has high aspirations for the child. She inspires and motivates the staff team to support the child to reach their full potential.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is furnished to a high standard. It is designed with the child’s needs and interests at the forefront. There are different areas designed to meet the child’s needs at different times. The ‘snug’ provides a fun space where the child can be creative and enjoy their toys. The sensory room provides calm and relaxation for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent oversight of the daily care provided to the child. She ensures that staff provide high standards of individualised care at all times. The child’s progress is monitored through monthly reviews. This allows the manager and staff team to evaluate the care being provided to the child and adapt their practice to continue to support them to make significant progress in all aspects of their life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from regular and reflective supervision. Child-focused team meetings take place monthly. Team discussions focus on best practice models and research- led strategies that are implemented in the care being provided to the child. Inspection report for children’s home: SC422481 5 The manager has developed strong relationships with professionals involved with the child. This means that the child receives consistent care from the professionals working with them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff are up to date with the training required to meet the child’s needs. Specialist training has been delivered by professionals involved in the child’s care. This means that the team have the knowledge and understanding of how to provide the best possible care to the child. Staff have excellent relationships with the child’s school. They work in partnership to ensure that the child receives consistent care both at home and school.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager uses the external monitoring of the home well. The independent visitor has developed a positive relationship with the child. However, the monthly independent visitor reports have not been consistently submitted to Ofsted within timescales. This does not impact on the care that staff provide for the child. Inspection report for children’s home: SC422481 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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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

Specifically, that the registered person ensures that the independent visitor reports are submitted within timescales. 7 July 2023

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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: SC422481 7

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Children’ s home details

Registered provider: Inspire Childrens 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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Children’ s home details

Responsible individual: Michael Bradshaw

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Inspector

Claire Hobbs, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC422481 8 inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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