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

Unique reference number SC405448 Inspection date 09/01/2013 Inspector Alicea Churchward Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/09/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is registered to care for five children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is run by a private company.

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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

The purpose of this visit is to assess the progress made since the time of the last inspection and how any progress has improved the quality of care and outcomes for young people. The last full inspection was undertaken in September 2012; the home was then found to be good. At that time, the provider and Registered Manager were asked to take account of a requirement and recommendations to improve further the quality of care in the home.

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Progress

Since that time the home regularly receives visits undertaken on behalf of the registered provider; the reports demonstrate that the visitor gives the opportunity to young people and staff to meet with them in private, if they wish and give a good overview of the homes functioning. There has been a lapse in sending the reports to Ofsted; however the home does have copies of the reports for all visits undertaken.

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Progress

The Registered Manager also undertakes monthly monitoring of the home to ensure compliance with Regulation and highlight any points for action through these reports. Young people’s views are regularly obtained in respect of the quality of care provided by the home they report that it is a ‘good home.’ The Registered Manage has also devised questionnaires to obtain the views of parents and placing social workers; this is a work in progress at the moment and no responses have been received to date.

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Progress

Young people report feeling safe in the home; staff undertake training in safeguarding during their induction and further courses are available to refresh their understanding. Safeguarding is also regularly discussed in supervision and staff meetings to enhance staff understanding of particular policies for example the whistle blowing policy. Staff place the welfare of young people at the centre of their practice.

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Progress

Young people benefit from a home that is homely in its overall appearance and well maintained; except the kitchen area which requires refurbishment. Young people have their own rooms that are highly personalised and young people report that their privacy is respected. Young people’s bedroom doors remain numbered and this has not been addressed since the last inspection; this is important to ensure that young people benefit from accommodation that is in keeping with a domestic setting. All misted windows in the conservatory have been replaced.

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Progress

The home holds records of certificated maintenance to demonstrate that the premises are safe. Young people and staff are involved in a fire drill and records of these have improved to show who has been involved in all drills undertaken.

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Progress

The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for young people; it has addressed the requirement and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. At the time of this inspection the home is making good progress.

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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) supply a copy of reports required under Regulation 33 to Ofsted. (Regulation 33 (5)(a)) 31/01/2013

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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

 Provide a comfortable and homely environment that is well maintained; with specific reference to the kitchen and removing numbers from young people's bedroom doors (10.3)  continue to ensure that the views, wishes and feelings of children and those people significant to them are taken into account in monitoring staff and in developing the home. (NMS 1.7)

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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.

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