Children's Home run by Nugent Care 2019 in St Helens

Inspection report for children’s home: SC022447 1 SC022447 Registered provider: Nugent Care Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and managed. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2023. She is experienced and has an appropriate management qualification.

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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: 26 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: SC022447 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/09/2023 Full Good 03/08/2022 Full Good 17/11/2021 Full Good 13/08/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC022447 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have left the home. One child moved into a placement in their home authority, while another child was supported to move from the home as it was identified by the manager and staff team that the child’s needs could not be safely met in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Despite the child’s high-risk behaviours, including substance misuse and going missing from care, the child has made some measurable progress since moving to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child engages with support services and understands the risks associated with substance misuse. However, despite ongoing efforts from the team and a multi-agency approach to reducing risks for the child, the child continues to make negative choices that can potentially impact on his long-term health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has clear health plans and is registered with the relevant primary healthcare services. He has access to specialist and therapeutic input provided by the organisation. There are good links with specialised services, such as mental health services. This means that the child receives specialist input that is tailored to meet his individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Medication is stored and administered safely by trained and competent staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Suitable education arrangements are now in place for the child. These are tailored to his needs and consider his previous educational circumstances. Staff work in partnership with education providers and other relevant professionals to ensure that the child has every opportunity to reach his full potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is fully involved in day-to-day decisions. He has regular one-to-one sessions and daily communication with staff. This helps to ensure that the child has ownership of decisions made in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff maintain regular communication with the child’s social worker and family members. They support and facilitate the child’s visits to family members. This promotes the child’s sense of identity and enables him to retain positive links with the people who are important to him.

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

Despite the child having enhanced supervision, he still repeatedly goes missing overnight and his whereabouts are often unknown. Consequently, the risks he is exposed to when away from the home are not known. The manager ensures that staff comply with locally agreed protocols and liaise with the police to locate the child and encourage his safe return. Staff keep detailed records of actions taken and of the appropriate individuals Inspection report for children’s home: SC022447 4 contacted. The child has access to an independent person to speak to on his return home so that any learning can be shared.

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

There are clear boundaries in place in respect of managing challenging behaviour. Although the child’s behaviour can be challenging, staff are consistent in their responses and use the quality of their relationships with him to manage these situations. This means that staff rarely need to use physical restraint to manage behaviour.

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

Staff undertake up-to-date safeguarding training and have a good understanding of their duties in promoting the child’s welfare.

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

The child lives in a physically safe environment. There are measures in place to ensure that the home is free of hazards. Regular fire drills are carried out to ensure that the child knows what he needs to do in the event of an emergency.

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

An appropriate vetting and selection process is used when staff are recruited. This ensures that the child is protected from adults who may pose a risk to his safety and welfare.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A suitably qualified and experienced manager leads the home. The manager places the child at the centre of their practice and is keen for the child to achieve and make progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to care for children effectively. Staff benefit from a wide range of training. This includes training that is specific to the needs of the child living in the home. This ensures that the child is supported by staff who are equipped to meet his needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well supported in their roles. They attend monthly team meetings and receive regular, reflective supervision. Staff feel valued and are motivated to deliver care that helps to make improvements to the child’s life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff and the registered manager have established positive working relationships with a range of agencies and external professionals who are involved in the child’s care. This ensures that appropriate support is in place to encourage the child’s progress and help them achieve their potential. Inspection report for children’s home: SC022447 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff continually support the child to make healthier choices and reinforce the dangers of substance use on the child’s health. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards page 34, paragraph 7.10).  The registered person should ensure that staff continue to do their best to help the child to understand the risks and dangers involved in going missing from the home and make them aware of how to seek help if they do run away. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 45, paragraph 9.27).

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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: SC022447 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 99 Edge Lane, Edge Hill, Liverpool L7 2PE

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC022447 7 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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