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

Unique reference number SC405448 Inspection date 29/11/2011 Inspector Julia Toller Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/08/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This home is registered to care for five children aged between 10 and 17 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress.

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Progress

At the last full inspection the home was judged as satisfactory. This inspection shows that the children's home has demonstrated satisfactory improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people.

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Progress

Relationships between staff and young people have improved and the young people reported that they are happier living at the home. However, although the number of sanctions being made of young people has reduced, they remain high, as does police intervention at the home. The organisation has acknowledged this and has engaged with a psychotherapist to further develop care plans and behaviour management plans for young people in an effort to reduce sanctions and police intervention.

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Progress

This is a satisfactory, child-focused service, but there continues to be some issues with the local community. The manager and staff continue to work with neighbours, young people and the local community and police to reduce anti-social behaviour in their community, which is not all associated with the children's home. The young people's views are gathered particularly with regard to how they are accepted by the local community and these are being implemented in influencing the home's operation and future direction.

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Progress

Satisfactory outcomes are being achieved and young people continue to receive a satisfactory standard of care from a competent and qualified staff team. There have been a few staff changes since the last inspection and the organisation continues to strive to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced staff group.

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Progress

Placements are stable and young people take some responsibility for their behaviour. There are some behaviour management concerns but these have reduced since the last inspection. The promotion of young people's education, health and well-being are satisfactory and are continuing to improve. For some young people this is a significant improvement and demonstrates how individual young people have made progress.

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Progress

The home's aims and objectives are being fulfilled. There are satisfactory quality assurance systems being used to monitor the operation, management, records and young people's welfare. Realistic and challenging targets are outlined within the home’s development plan. They have also developed an action plan in conjunction with the local authority and police to reduce anti-social behaviour within the home and the local community. This demonstrates a willingness to improve. Good monitoring systems are used that comply with the requirements of Regulation 33 and 34. Planning for the future is founded on evidence which identifies areas of weakness and builds on the areas of strength that this service demonstrates.

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 ensure that the home has a clear written policy on managing behaviour, which includes supporting positive behaviour, de-escalation of conflicts, discipline, control and restraint, that all staff understand and apply at all times (NMS 3.3)  ensure that the home's approach to care minimises the need for police involvement to deal with challenging behaviour and avoids criminalising children unnecessarily. The home follows procedures and guidance on police involvement in the home, which have been agreed with local police. (NMS 3.22)

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