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

Unique reference number SC405448 Inspection date 27/02/2014 Inspector Alicea Churchward Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/10/2013 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 was 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 2013; the home was then found to be good overall with young people achieving outstanding outcomes. At that time, the provider and Registered Manager were asked to take account of a requirement and one recommendation to further improve the quality of care in the home.

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Progress

Since that time the Registered Manager has temporarily taken up a senior management post within the organisation. A Registered Manager from another home is currently overseeing the day-to-day management of this home.

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Progress

The home has had regular visits from a designated person within the organisation and those reports have routinely been sent to Ofsted. However the reports have lacked sufficient detail and have not included staff views or those of others; young people’s views have been limited and it is not clear from the reports if the visitor has offered to speak privately with those people seen during the visit. There has been progress in that a new independent visitor has been engaged to undertake visits in the future. The first visit has taken place. The manager reports that the visit was robust but, because the visit took place very recently, a copy of the report was not available for assessment at the time of this inspection visit.

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Progress

The lounge is currently being redecorated. The hall and stairway have been decorated and are much brighter. Young people say that they have been consulted about the décor and have chosen the new colour scheme for the lounge.

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Progress

Social workers who were visiting during the inspection took time to give feedback about the home, ‘I can’t believe the progress that has been made (this young person) I am very grateful for this placement … communication with staff is brilliant they have the skills and are knowledgeable … (young people) have warm relationships with staff … there are clear boundaries.’

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Progress

Young people have continued to make good progress in all areas of their development and welfare. They speak very positively about the manager, the staff and their experience of living in this home. They also say that it is a safe place to live.

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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 all requirements and recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. As a result the home is judged to be 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) ensure that Regulation 33 visit reports make specific reference as to whether or not young people and staff have been given the opportunity to meet with the visitor in private. (Regulation 33 (4)(a) 31/03/2014

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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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