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

Unique reference number SC356929 Inspection date 13/02/2012 Inspector Sonya Robinson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/05/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This service provides residential accommodation for up to three looked after young people, aged between 10 and 17 years old, who have complex emotional and behavioural needs.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last full inspection in May 2011 the home was rated as good. On that inspection Ofsted asked the provider to make improvements in the following areas.

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Progress

They were asked to ensure that within the home's documentation, methods used to avoid the physical restraint of young people were noted. They were also asked that young people had appropriate storage facilities for clothes. The children's guide had not been updated. The home was asked to identify a designated person responsible for dealing with safeguarding. Staff training was also raised in terms of care staff obtaining an appropriate qualification in childcare and staff having access to regular training relevant to meet the needs of the young people and good practice guidance.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the home has reviewed their documentation in relation to behaviour management. This review has included the incorporation of methods used to avoid the restraint of a young person. This means that further information is noted so that staff can reflect on behaviour management and change their strategies in promoting positive behaviour with individual young people.

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Progress

The home has a maintenance programme in place and since the last inspection the young people have been involved in changing the décor in the lounge and their bedrooms. Some young people have also benefitted from additional storage for clothes and other personal items. However, some bedroom floors and the kitchen are looking very worn in parts due to general wear and tear.

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Progress

Young people have been involved in reviewing the children's guide. This now contains important information about how young people can access independent advocates and contact Ofsted should they wish to do so. Young people said, staff have added pictures to the guide 'to help kids understand it better'. The ethos of the home has changed since the last inspection; this is due to the needs of the young people. Relevant authorities have been informed of the change, although the home's Statement of Purpose has not yet been updated to reflect these changes.

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Progress

The home now has a designated person who is responsible for handling safeguarding concerns and this is clear to all staff. Care staff have achieved, or are undertaking, an appropriate qualification in childcare. A programme of training and development has been introduced for all staff. Staff have attended a number of training courses since the last inspection, including safeguarding, fire awareness and care specific training regarding young people's individual needs.

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Progress

A representative on behalf of the home owner monitors the home on a regular basis, along with the Registered Manager. Both produce a monthly report about the conduct of the home and identify areas for improvement in order to continually raise standards within the home and achieve positive outcomes for young people.

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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 person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the Statement of Purpose shall consist of the matters listed in Schedule 1. (Regulation 4 (1)) 31/03/2012

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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 provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated; such as the kitchen and bedroom floor coverings. (NMS 10.3)

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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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