Children's home run by After Care (NW) Limited in Sefton

Inspection report for children’s home: SC063673 1 SC063673 Registered provider: After Care NW Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately operated home, registered to look after up to four children who may have social and/or emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were two children living in the home. Both children were present and were spoken to as part of the inspection.

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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: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC063673 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC063673 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a clean and comfortable environment. While each child’s room reflects their unique character and interests, the communal areas of the house have not yet been decorated with personal touches. The manager has plans to make the house more homely as the new children settle in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children share positive relationships with staff. They said that they trust staff and feel heard. These supportive relationships help children feel settled and secure. As a result, children are thriving.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are reaching their potential in terms of education and training. One teacher said, ‘It’s early days, but staff are very supportive and work hard to make sure [name of child] is coming to school and is engaged in learning.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide well-planned support when children move into or out of the home. Staff start preparing children for moving out of the home in plenty of time, ensuring that significant life changes happen gradually. Older children receive support to develop essential skills for independence. As a result, children have positive experiences when preparing to move on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are beginning to integrate therapeutic parenting approaches into the care they provide. Clinical support and training for staff helps them better understand the underlying reasons for children’s behaviour. This approach helps to improve children’s mental health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff regularly engage in meaningful conversations with children about important topics. Staff show curiosity about children’s lives and assist them in acquiring valuable skills and knowledge. Children learn about significant social issues.

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

Managers have established a strong safeguarding culture. Staff are aware of situations that could increase risks for each child and use this understanding to prevent incidents. Staff help children to understand their own risks and make safer choices.

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

When children go missing from the home, staff know what to do to make sure they return home quickly and safely. Staff also work diligently to understand the reasons behind these incidents, using this information to prevent future occurrences. As a result, the risk of children going missing is reduced effectively.

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

Staff are well-prepared to respond to incidents of self-harm or mental health crisis. They frequently engage in sensitive, non-judgmental conversations with children about their Inspection report for children’s home: SC063673 4 mental health, focusing on understanding their needs and preventing further harm. As a result, children feel safe and supported.

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

It is rare for staff to have to physically hold children to keep them safe. Staff understand when such action is necessary and only use this as a last resort. The registered manager generally has good oversight of safeguarding incidents and supports her staff to learn from each incident. However, on one occasion, managers did not talk to staff about a physical hold. This delay could hinder leaders’ and managers’ ability to address concerns.

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

The manager has completed a risk assessment of the local area. This was appropriately updated after a recent serious incident. However, the document does not provide useful strategies to manage all the identified risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a qualified and experienced manager who supports children in setting high ambitions for themselves.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers use good systems of monitoring and review. The manager regularly gives useful feedback to staff to help them improve their practice. It is evident that the manager has high standards for her team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers ensure thorough background checks are carried out for anyone seeking employment at the home, ensuring that only safe adults care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by the management team and report that the registered manager is always available to help and advise them. Staff receive regular supervision; however the manager has not received supervision regularly. The manager’s annual appraisal has also not been completed. This is a missed opportunity for important support for a newly registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are offered a range of useful training. However, essential training such as medication administration, first aid and safeguarding are out of date for some staff. This could impact their ability to provide good-quality, safe care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New members of staff receive a comprehensive induction. Staff who have moved into residential childcare from another sector are supported effectively with that transition.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have a wide range of skills and experience, which they regularly share during team meetings and in their daily work to ensure children receive the best possible care. Inspection report for children’s home: SC063673 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 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

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must make sure that staff have completed all mandatory training, including first aid, safeguarding and medication administration. 18 December

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)) 18 December

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33(4)(b)(c)) 18 December Inspection report for children’s home: SC063673 6 In particular, the registered person must ensure that the registered manager receives regular supervision and an annual appraisal.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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: SC063673 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: After Care NW Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 45 Kensington Road, Southport, Lancashire PR9 0RT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Timothy Blundell

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Inspector

Nicola Shaw, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC063673 8 and 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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