Children's Home run by Tressell Homes Ltd in Liverpool

Inspection report for children’s home: 2585139 1 Registered provider: Tressell Homes Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional and learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2020.

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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

Date of last inspection: 13 September 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2585139 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/09/2023 Full Good 07/02/2023 Full Good 01/12/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2585139 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the child well. They understand the barriers for the child and have, over time, developed trusted relationships with them. The child has made progress from their starting point. They are now attending meetings, with support, to discuss plans about their future. A social worker said, ‘[Name of child]’s progress is positive and is a result of the consistent care and support they receive from staff.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff have advocated on behalf of the child, who is not attending any formal education. They have liaised with the headteacher of the virtual school and careers staff to identify an alternative provision. Staff have listened to the child and have a plan in place to progress their interests and chosen career pathway. However, a lack of structured routine means that staff are not sufficiently supporting the child by offering alternative educational activities in preparation for returning to formal education or employment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Clear plans are in place to support the child to develop their independent living skills. The child is continuing to access community resources such as the gym without support from staff. Staff are supporting the child to learn skills such as cooking; however, this could be strengthened to support them in preparing to move on to live independently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has opportunities to experience a range of activities in the community with staff. However, when these have been declined by the child, staff have looked for an alternative to ensure that the child can experience activities in the community and develop appropriate relationships with peers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff understand who is important to the child. Staff support the child to spend time with their family. This gives the child a sense of belonging and supports their identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff have sought specialist advice from an in-house psychologist and there is a clear plan setting out what support the child needs to manage their feelings safely. As a result, there has been a reduction in the number of incidents, which supports the child to feel safe.

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

Detailed risk assessments and behaviour support plans clearly set out what staff need to do to support the child to be safe. Staff work with professionals such as social workers to review their management of risk.

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

Staff have supported the child at the child’s pace. This means that the child has developed strong relationships with staff and is now confident in speaking to staff about any concerns they have. Inspection report for children’s home: 2585139 4 Staff understand their roles and responsibilities. The child does not go missing from home or misuse drugs and they are not at risk from exploitation. However, staff are suitably trained in these areas and there are clear processes in place should these become emerging risks.

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

The child has needed to be held by staff on one occasion. A review of this by the manager identified inconsistent staff practice in managing behaviour. This was rectified and a clear plan is in place to address staff practice. The child was spoken with to understand their experience and restorative discussions have been held with the child and staff to improve relationships.

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

Staff understand the whistle-blowing process. When an allegation was made, managers ensured that information was shared appropriately with relevant professionals, such as social workers, the local authority designated officer and the regulator.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced manager. There have been recent changes to the home’s management team. The deputy manager position is vacant; however systems are in place to recruit to this position.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment processes are in place and new staff to the home are provided with a robust induction. Children are cared for by a permanent staff team. Agency staff are used to cover vacant posts, however, they are consistent staff who know the child well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have identified shortfalls in the probation process for new staff. This has been quickly addressed and new processes implemented to ensure that staff have the necessary skills to improve experiences for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers use feedback from professionals such as social workers and children to review the quality of care. Internal monitoring and review systems are in place, however, there has been a missed opportunity to consider the child’s educational progress so that outcomes for the child are continually improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have completed training relevant to the child’s needs so that they have the necessary skills to care for them. Team meetings take place regularly and are used as a development opportunity. The manager ensures that staff are provided with opportunities to consider research and practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are provided with regular and effective supervision. This is focused on the child’s experiences, needs and plans. Staff said they feel supported and able to challenge when they do not agree with any practice issues. The manager has used this to review and change practice so that the child receives care that is consistent and provides stability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The previous requirement made has been met and one previous recommendation is now a requirement. Inspection report for children’s home: 2585139 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, 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Reg 8 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(v)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, children should be supported to engage in education and be supported through suitable structured activities to be prepared to return to education. 10 June 2024

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 10 June 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2585139 6 lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(f)(g)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, that the manager has systems in place to ensure that there is effective oversight of all aspects of children’s care, including education.

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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: 2585139 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Tressell Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Tressell Homes Ltd, Unit 41, Price Street Business Centre, Price Street, Birkenhead CH41 4JQ

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Inspector

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2585139 8 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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