Children's Home run by PIC Children’s Services in Sefton

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC040785 1 SC040785

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Registered provider: PIC Children’s Services 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 and managed by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2019.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Inspection date: 13 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 19 December 2023

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Inspection date: 13 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 13 March 2024

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. The inspector has 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: SC040785 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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Findings from the inspection

Risk assessments are in place, which outline the child’s risks and vulnerabilities. The assessments include clear strategies for staff to follow to manage the risks. The assessments are reviewed and shared with staff to ensure that they have the most current information. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the child’s vulnerabilities.

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Findings from the inspection

Individual work sessions are carried out with the child to help them manage their money. This is helping the child learn how to be to safeguard their money and avoid financial exploitation.

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Findings from the inspection

The child knows how to complain. Their complaints are treated seriously and are responded to clearly. Action is taken in a timely way.

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Findings from the inspection

Positive behaviour is consistently promoted. Staff use effective de-escalation techniques, and there have not been any physical interventions.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager reviews the suitability of the home’s location on a regular basis. However, the current review does not consider the views of all relevant person.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is managed by a suitably qualified manager. The manager knows the child well and is a positive role model for staff and the child. Staff said the manager is supportive and they enjoy working in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have had their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised during the past year. The appraisals now include feedback from the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Monitoring and review systems have been updated since the last inspection, and there is an internal monthly checklist. This means that the manager can identify and act on shortfalls in a timely way to improve the quality of care that the child receives.

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Findings from the inspection

The quality of care review report now includes and evaluates the opinion of the child. However, the manager did not send a copy of the quality-of-care review report to Ofsted in line with regulation.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager had taken action to meet some of the requirements raised at the previous inspection However, two have been reinstated. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC040785 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/12/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/09/2023 Full Inadequate 26/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC040785 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 person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children's home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard).

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Requirement Due date

When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1)(2))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 13 June 2024

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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

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 13 June 2024 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC040785 5 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) (4)(a) (5))

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff appraisals consider, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home's care. ('Guide to the Children s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.5) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC040785 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: PIC Childrens Services Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: P I C Childrens Services Ltd, 2 North Street, Haydock, St. Helens WA11 0TW

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Inspector

Dawn Walker, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC040785 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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