Children's Home run by Warrington Borough Council in Warrington

Inspection report for children’s home: 2810446 1 Registered provider: Warrington Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home is registered to care for up to two children who may have social or emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

One child was living in the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered in December 2024.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: Not previously inspected

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2810446 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is personalised throughout, with pictures of the child and their family. However, the front door needs painting as it looks tired and detracts from the welcoming feel of the home.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child experienced a well-planned move into the home and staff were given information to support their understanding of the child’s needs. Staff are committed to providing the child with a sense of identity and belonging. The child likes living in the home and identified staff they could talk to if they had concerns or wanted to make a complaint.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has recently started college, which has enabled them to become more independent. The child said they enjoy travelling on the bus by themselves and making new friends. This is significant progress for the child. The child is also attending workshops to help learn skills in cooking and budgeting and is trying new activities such as going to the gym and swimming. This supports the child to find new hobbies and interests.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have positive aspirations for the child, whose achievements are celebrated. Recently, the child took part in a local Christmas market and a Santa sleigh ride. They were also invited to speak at a community event. This gives the child a place within the community who said they enjoy their role as a young leader at the youth centre.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Regular consultation takes place with the child. Children’s records are child centred and written with the child, which ensures they are fully involved in decisions about their care.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since moving into the home, professionals feel that the child has grown in confidence and is making good progress. One said, ‘The team always ensure they are child focused. They have shown consistency and love towards the child to allow them to feel safe and heard.’

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Equality and diversity are well promoted. Staff have completed direct work sessions with the child around racist language and have educated them about the diversity within the staff team.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s physical, emotional and mental health are improving because staff are proactive in sourcing the right support. The child has an up-to-date health assessment, and staff are helping them to attend regular appointments including dental and optician check-ups. Additionally, staff support the child to attend regular therapy sessions with the child and adolescent mental health services team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2810446 3

p.2

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

The staff continually assess the child’s risks and take the necessary steps to protect them. Staff understand the child’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. Staff are aware of the procedures to follow for a range of safeguarding scenarios and have received training to develop their skills.

p.3

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

Children have clear and informative behaviour support plans, which helps staff to identify the potential triggers for the child’s anxiety and understand how to manage incidents. As a result, restraint practice is rarely used, and only as a last resort to help keep the child safe.

p.3

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

There are good health and safety practices in the home. When a child moves into the home, they are shown the home’s fire procedures. Staff are all trained in fire safety. The child takes part in regular fire safety drills, so they understand how to leave the home in an emergency.

p.3

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

There are robust medication systems in place. All staff are suitably trained. Additionally, each staff member is required to complete competencies prior to administering medication for the first time. Medication is stored safely and records are well managed. This includes controlled drugs.

p.3

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

Safer recruitment procedures are in place. All relevant checks are completed on all staff prior to them starting work in the home. These checks ensure that only suitable adults are employed.

p.3

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

Staff understand the risks that unrestricted access to the internet poses. All staff are trained in e-safety and promote safe use of all devices through good-quality direct work. This helps the child stay safe online.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a qualified and experienced registered manager who is also the registered manager of another children’s home within the organisation. She speaks with enthusiasm and passion about the home and the progress of the child. The manager is supported by an efficient and equally dedicated deputy manager.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are complimentary of the support they receive, and they enjoy working in the home. Staff say that there is good communication and that everyone is working in the best interests of the child. Parents are pleased with the achievements and progress their child has made while living in the home. They said, ‘He is soaring with his independence.’

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have opportunities to receive a wide range of face-to-face and online training. Staff benefit from daily handovers, team meetings and regular supervisions, all of which Inspection report for children’s home: 2810446 4 ensure that all information is shared with staff. There are robust induction procedures in place for new staff, including a detailed programme of training.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight through her own internal quality assurance systems. The manager understands the home’s strengths and areas for development. Monitoring of the home by the independent person is informative and is helping the staff to make changes to their practice and to improve outcomes for the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2810446 5

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should provide a welcoming environment. This includes ensuring the front door of the home is repainted as it is tired and worn. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

p.5

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: 2810446 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Warrington Borough Council

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Council Offices (1 Time Square), 1 Time Square, Warrington WA1 2NT

p.6

Inspector

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2810446 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7