Children's Home run by Crossway Services Limited in St Helens

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068206 1 SC068206 Registered provider: Crossway Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private company. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

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 inspectors 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: SC068206 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

There is currently one child living in the home. They have lived there since the time of the last inspection. The child has recently celebrated their birthday and enjoyed a party with friends at a local activity centre.

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Findings from the inspection

There are now clear expectations for staff around the child’s basic day-to-day routines, particularly regarding managing time online and using gaming devices. As a result, the child has spent more time with staff doing other activities, meaning their relationships with the staff are developing.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager and staff encourage the child to attend relevant medical appointments. Staff have worked with specialist professionals to ensure that prescribed medication is reviewed when needed and remains appropriate for the child. Staff continue to promote a healthier diet for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Individual risk management plans are in place. Following a number of allegations, the registered manager worked with the child’s social worker and the designated officer to agree a protocol for managing this risk. However, the written guidance needs to be reviewed to ensure that this arrangement is clearly reflected in the child’s plans.

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Findings from the inspection

When incidents have occurred, the registered manager and staff have responded appropriately to keep the child safe. Information is shared with relevant professionals. However, incidents have not always been shared with the regulator as appropriate.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, incidents where the child has been held to keep them and others safe have reduced. While this is positive, conversations with the child after the incident have not always been undertaken. This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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Findings from the inspection

When the child has been missing from the home, the registered manager and staff have taken appropriate action to find them and encourage them to return home. The child can speak to someone independent of the home on their return home.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, a new manager has joined the home. They registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are positive about the registered manager and say that she is supportive. However, staff, including new staff, are not receiving supervision in line with the timescales set out by the provider. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068206 3 When complaints have been made, the registered manager has taken appropriate action to resolve these issues.

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Findings from the inspection

Effective monitoring and review systems are not yet fully embedded in practice. The registered manager recognises the shortfalls and there is an action plan in place, which is regularly reviewed and is supporting improvement within the home.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/05/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/07/2023 Full Good 08/03/2023 Full Good 04/05/2022 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068206 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

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

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

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that there is sufficient oversight of all aspects of the day-to-day running of the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the agreed strategies in place to keep the child safe are clearly recorded within their relevant plans. 24 January 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other rele- vant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (c)) 24 January 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— 24 January 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068206 5 receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 40 (b))

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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 (b)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 24 January 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068206 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Crossway Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 The Calls, Leeds LS2 7JU

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Inspector

Genevieve O’Reilly, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068206 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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Inspector

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