Children's Home run by Quality Protects Children Ltd in Knowsley

Unique reference number SC405448 Inspection date 21/03/2011 Inspector Julia Toller Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 12/10/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children’s Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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About this inspection

This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

This home is a detached property in a residential area and registered to care for up- to-five children aged between 10 and 17 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

The service is close to public transport routes and motorway networks. Downstairs there are two large reception rooms, a spacious kitchen area with breakfast bar, separate dining room/utility area, staff office and two conservatories. Upstairs there are five spacious single bedrooms, one bathroom with bath and shower facilities and one separate shower room. There are extensive gardens to the front and rear of the property.

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Brief description of the service

One young person was present at the time of the inspection and spoke briefly with the inspector. The manager was also present throughout the visit.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

At this unannounced interim inspection the inspection focussed on how the service has addressed the actions and recommendations made at the last key inspection. The key standards in the outcome area of staying safe were also assessed. This is a good service overall.

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Summary

Young people benefit from positive relationships with staff, they are afforded a range of facilities and opportunities to encourage and support a healthy lifestyle, to develop their life skills and to reach good outcomes in education. There are, however, minor shortfalls in the recording of complaints and health care plans for young people.

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Summary

Staff benefit from a good level of training and support, they work well with other professionals to meet the complex and holistic needs of young people in areas such as emotional and physical well-being.

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Improvements since the last inspection

One action about the monitoring of the home in line with Regulation 34 was made at the last inspection. Recommendations were also raised about health care plans, fire safety checks and records of complaints.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager is now monitoring the home on a monthly basis in line with Regulation 34, this helps to check that standards are being maintained and that any issues identified are addressed appropriately. Although young people have basic health care records they do not always meet national minimum standards. This area of work is currently under review by the manager and will therefore be monitored further at the next inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Fire safety checks are completed regularly which helps to make sure that the home is a safe place for young people to live.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There is a record of complaints maintained at the home, but this does not always show the action taken in response to complaints or where an outcome has been achieved. This will therefore be monitored at the next inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are appropriate policies and procedures regarding safeguarding and anti- bullying, staff also receive formal safeguarding training during which they learn about the signs and symptoms of abuse; this knowledge helps staff to keep young people safe. Although, there have been some incidents of bullying at the home, appropriate action has been taken to address these. Risk assessments have been carried out in respect to bullying and other pertinent risks to young people and staff. This helps to safeguard young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff respect young people's privacy and confidentiality which is consistent with good parenting and the need to protect young people. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities to promote and safeguard young people’s welfare. Ofsted are notified of serious incidents at the home in line with Schedule 5 of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff provide a good level of supervision for young people, based on their age, to make sure they are safe in the home and in the community. They also give young people good advice about personal safety. Comprehensive risk assessments help to ensure that all staff are aware of the risks apparent to young people and how to minimise these.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people have clear and consistent boundaries. They know what is expected of them and what is unacceptable, staff praise young people when they do well and reward them. They also reassure young people when they are upset and help them deal with their anxieties and frustrations in a positive way. Staff act as positive role models and use good communication skills to encourage young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour. The home makes sure that young people have access to information about their rights and how to deal with their concerns through the complaints procedure. Young people know how to make a complaint if they are unhappy. While the home keeps a written record of complaints, records of the action taken in response to the complaint and its outcome are not always made. Efforts are made to discuss any issues young people may have on an informal basis, but they also know who they could go to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home promotes the safety of young people and staff through the regular testing of fire safety equipment at the home. Additional health and safety checks of the home, including a fire safety risk assessment, help to keep the home a safe place for young people to live in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The vetting of people wishing to work at the home is sound. The home carries out checks with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). This makes sure that young people are kept safe.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Std. Action Due date

12 ensure that health care plans contain all issues in line with NMS. (Regulation 20) 30/04/2011

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that records of complaints contain the details of complaints alongside the action taken in response to the complaint and an outcome. (NMS 16.3)

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