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

Unique reference number SC356929 Inspection date 26/03/2014 Inspector Alicea Churchward Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 08/01/2014 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 inspection is to assess the progress made since 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 February 2013 when the home was then found to be good overall.

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Progress

At that time two requirements and two recommendations were made to further improve the quality of the home. Since then the Registered Manager has moved within the organisation and is overseeing the management of another children’s home. As a result an acting manager is in post in this home to oversee the day to day management and the post is going to be advertised shortly.

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Progress

One requirement made at the last inspection was to ensure that identification of all visitors is requested even if known they are known to the staff. A recommendation was also made to revise the visitors' policy. Although a meeting has been held within the organisation but the policy has not been revised, therefore this recommendation has not been met. This is not having an impact upon young people however the policy is necessary to provide guidance for staff and to ensure that they follow good practice set out by the organisation to protect young people in their care.

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Progress

A requirement was made about specified staff training, staff have attended one half day training in this specialism and there are plans to provide a further two full days training in the coming months. This does not fully meet the requirement made for the organisation to provide sufficient training.

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Progress

The recommendation regarding induction training for staff meeting the national minimum standard has not been met. The staff have received induction but not to the standard outlined. This means that staff have not had sufficient and detailed induction training which this could impact upon the care of young people in the future.

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Progress

The overall appearance of the home has steadily improved, signage to the entrance has been removed and re-decoration and refurbishment has taken place. As a result young people benefit from living in a homely environment which is suitable furnished and decorated. However, this inspection identified that further improvements should be made for example ensuring the cleanliness of the gas and microwave ovens and the appearance of the dining chair seats. The damaged fencing to the front of the house requires attention and the loose blocks in the garden and the discarded items around the shed removed.

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Progress

There has been a concern about the conduct of staff from a young person which has been appropriately dealt with through the home's safeguarding procedures and liaison with the local authority designated officer. However, because this matter was not dealt with as a complaint the outcome given to the young person is not clearly recorded.

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Progress

Young people and staff talk positively about the care provided by the home, comments included ‘I like this home … it’s really homely … there is no ‘kicking off’ … staff are really good they treat you with respect … consequences are fair … staff are different, not the same they’re all fair … I am not ashamed of my carers’

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Progress

The home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people. It has addressed almost all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. The shortfalls identified at this inspection are not impacting negatively on the care of young people and as a result the home is judged to be making adequate 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 all persons employed receive appropriate training to meet the needs of children placed in the home, particularly with regard to complex emotional needs, and sexually harmful behaviour. (Regulation 27 (4a)) 30/06/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the premises are kept clean; in this case the gas and microwave ovens (Regulation 31 (2)(e)) 30/06/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a written record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of the investigation (Regulation 24 (5)) 16/05/2014

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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 records for the induction of staff provide sufficient evidence that new staff undertake and complete the Children's Workforce Development Council's induction standards (NMS 18.3)  ensure that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained by replacing the damaged fencing to the front of the house, recover or clean the dinning chair seats, remove loose blocks in the garden and the discarded items around the shed (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.

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