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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC411825 1 SC411825 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 privately owned and offers care for up to two children who may experience a range of social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager joined the home in October 2023.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC411825 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/08/2022 Full Good 09/12/2021 Full Good 23/09/2019 Full Good 07/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC411825 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child lives at the home and has done for some time. Despite recent changes in the staff team, the child has adjusted well and continues to form positive relationships. The child receives continuity of care, which helps them to stay settled and secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The child’s photo memories are displayed, which makes the home feel ‘lived in’. The child is happy and describes the home as ‘brilliant’. The child is very relaxed in the company of staff. Staff know the child well and understand their complex needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child receives good-quality individualised care from skilled staff who are nurturing in their approach. Staff carry out tailored direct-work sessions with the child on topics such as new relationships. This helps the child to understand relationships and personal boundaries. The child responds well to this input.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff support the child to achieve in education. Routines and structure promote opportunities for the child to reach their full educational potential. This improves future life chances. There is effective liaison from staff with staff at the child’s college. The child regularly attends college and has not had any unauthorised absences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child attends several local groups and works in a local cafe, which has supported new friendships. The child is thriving on this experience because it is giving them a sense of responsibility. Staff embrace new experiences for the child. They spend time with the child’s friends’ parents. This supports a natural family environment feel.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are proactive in supporting the child’s growing independence. The child has taken on more tasks independently. They take responsibility for everyday decision- making. The child expresses their wishes and feelings around routines and plans. Staff make changes to support the child. The relationship between staff and the child is one of mutual respect.

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

Staff understand the child’s behaviours and how changes in the home affect them. Staff acknowledge the child’s feelings and help them to improve their social skills. Staff maintain agreed boundaries. The child understands expectations and encourages the consistency of rules. This helps them to feel safe and secure.

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

Staff maintain the child’s safety and well-being. They are proactive in reducing the risks to the child. Staff carry out follow-up work with the child in response to concerns identified relating to online safety. As a result, the child has a better understanding of the risks involved. The manager acknowledges that increased risk Inspection report children’s home: SC411825 4 taking would be beneficial to the child’s progress. This would support the child to increase age-appropriate independence skills through experience. The manager needs to ensure that appropriate risk assessments are carried out to support reduced supervision.

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

Staff monitor the medication in the home. The child is encouraged to have increased responsibility for their medication. Specialist support ensures that any controlled medication is monitored and reviewed. The manager carries out weekly audits which aid decisions around risk management and accountability.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted well. Negative consequences are rare. When they are applied, they are realistic and fair, with good evaluation by the manager. Achievements are celebrated through rewards, and incentives help the child to achieve specific goals. The child feels listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a newly recruited but experienced manager. He is passionate about his role and has high aspirations for the child. He is in the process of making an application to register with Ofsted. He divides his time between this home and another home in the same company. He is supported by a deputy manager who shares the same ethos.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has made changes to staff consistency. This will help to improve the commitment towards helping the child to develop independently. The manager and deputy know the child’s needs well and the level of progress achieved. Care plans accurately reflect the child’s needs and are adapted as they change. Managers work well with outside agencies. One professional said that the child has ‘come on leaps and bounds this year’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager leads a small but settled team of staff. Staff hold a positive commitment and drive in promoting good outcomes for the child. Staff enjoy their respective roles and feel supported. The manager encourages reflection through regular supervision and team meetings. All staff said that they feel involved in decision-making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a good range of training to meet the child’s needs, for example training on subjects such as trauma and autism. New staff receive inductions and support. This ensures that they understand the policies and procedures and get to know the child. Staff receive specialist training to support the child’s specific needs. Staff invest in improving their knowledge of the child’s specific needs. Staff who do occasional work receive updated training and supervision. Inspection report children’s home: SC411825 5

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Statutory requirement

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must acknowledge that the deprivation of liberty order is a permissible order that allows appropriate risk assessment to ensure that care planning is not risk adverse and allows appropriate risk taking. 21 February 2024

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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 children’s home: SC411825 6

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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: Inspire Childrens Services, 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

Sally Hallwood, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC411825 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 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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