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

Unique reference number SC356929 Inspection date 13/02/2013 Inspector Alicea Churchward Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 09/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately owned 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 satisfactory 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 October 2012; the home was then found to be good.

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Progress

At that time, the provider and Registered Manager were asked to take account of requirements and recommendations to improve further the quality of care in the home.

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Progress

Since that time a requirement made at the last inspection has been met. This is because independent provider visit reports now clearly state that young people and staff are given the opportunity to meet privately with the visitor; this is important because it offers the chance to raise any worries or concerns with the visitor if they wish. A requirement raised at the last inspection in relation to the young people’s telephone has been met. The telephone has been repaired and re-sited; this ensures that young people can make and receive calls in private, at reasonable times without reference to staff in the home; this is equally important to make sure that independent advocacy is available to young people. Additionally staff no longer confiscate young people’s mobile telephones; young people routinely hand them in at bedtime; this was raised as a recommendation at the last inspection.

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Progress

The visitor’s policy has been revised as a result of a requirement being made at the last inspection. This gives a good overview of expectations of staff; however the policy states that staff ask visitors for identification ‘if not known to the home or company.' There may be long periods of time in between visits and further revision of the policy is required to ensure that identification is produced to ensure currency and validity of the visitor at those times. This will further serve to protect the young people.

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Progress

Young people placed continue to make good progress in all areas of their welfare and development. There was one shortfall in files. Where young people have a diagnosed medical condition this should be clearly included in their placement plans so that staff are fully aware of any signs or symptoms. The current documentation does not clearly identify this information and does not include what action staff must take in these circumstances; this is to ensure that young people’s health can be promoted accordingly.

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Progress

The overall appearance of the home is steadily improving and some areas have been re-decorated; however a recommendation raised at the last inspection to ensure that the window frames in one young person’s bedroom and the damaged sofas in the lounge are replaced has not been met.

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Progress

The home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and one of the two recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. As a result the home is making satisfactory 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) make proper provision for the supervision of children by ensuring that the visitor’s policy for the home is revised to include information for staff about requesting visitors 15/03/2013 identification upon arrival. (Regulation 11 (b))

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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; specifically replace the window frames in one young person’s bedroom and the damaged sofas in the lounge (NMS 10.3)  ensure that children’s health is promoted in accordance with their placement plan and staff are clear about what responsibilities and decisions are delegated to them. (NMS 6.5)

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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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