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

Unique reference number SC356929 Inspector Elaine Allison Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Quality Protects Children Ltd Registered person address Hill House Archway Road Huyton Liverpool L36 9XB Responsible individual Anthony Nolan Registered manager Nadine Elizabeth Boden Date of last inspection 14/01/2015 2 of 6 Inspection date 30/03/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

The requirements and recommendations for improvement made at the last inspection have been addressed. This inspection has identified three areas for further improvement; in the ongoing monitoring of the home by an independent person, accuracy of records and compatibility assessments of young people’s needs being undertaken at the referral stage. These shortfalls have not impacted negatively upon the welfare of children.

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This inspection

At the previous inspection it was found that the existing outreach service had created some difficulties within the home, because managers have not evaluated the status of those who return to the home for support. The manager has reviewed the outreach services and suspended the service to fully evaluate risks to current young people. This ensures that young people living in the home are safe and all visitors to the home are monitored and supervised.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager now receives regular supervision from a senior manager. She describes this supervision as ‘extremely helpful to me in my role and I feel more confident in my role’. Staff also receive regular supervision which staff describe as ‘very supportive’, ‘a time to work out training needs and ‘invaluable’. Staff training and supervision needs are now captured in a comprehensive training and supervision matrix. This ensures that staff are fully trained and supported to meet the needs of the young people.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, some young people have left the home. One young person successfully made the transition from the home to semi-independent living. Some new young people have now been placed in this home and appear to be starting to develop positive relationships with staff. They are also beginning to make progress in some areas of their life, for example, young people who were previously engaged in criminal activity have ceased this behaviour. 3 of 6 Young people's engagement in education is increasing because staff are committed to helping them to overcome barriers to their learning. Staff are proactive in ensuring that young people are accessing their educational entitlements and regularly call professional meetings to discuss individual young people’s needs. The records in relation to young people’s educational needs are not always accurately detailed in their files. This could lead to a delay in finding the appropriate education

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This inspection

Young people form trusting relationships with staff and this enables young people to discuss any worries or concerns. As a result, they feel safe and emotionally secure in the home. Missing from care episodes have significantly reduced for young people. A young person said ‘I like it here I feel safe and don’t want to run away from here.’

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This inspection

Young people are fully involved in day-to-day decisions in the home. They contribute their views through regular meetings and constant communication with staff and the Registered Manager. This helps to ensure that they have ownership of decisions made in the home and that they can start to take personal responsibility. A young person commented ‘we have meeting every Sunday after dinner and we decide what we are going to do the following week. We also plan the menu and talk about what we want in the house.’

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This inspection

Where appropriate to do so, young people maintain close contact with their families and friends. This further ensures that young people develop emotional resilience and knowledge and understanding of their backgrounds.

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This inspection

The home has a clear working development plan in place which is shared with staff. The manager and staff have had training in safeguarding and equality and diversity. The manager is also fully aware of how to respond to safeguarding concerns and has the contact details of the Local Authority Designated Officer should there be a need to refer or to seek advice.

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This inspection

There are external and internal monitoring systems in place. However, the external monitoring systems such as the Regulation 33 Reports have not been completed at least every month.

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This inspection

The arrangements for young people’s admission into the home are not adequately monitored to take into account the suitability of a placement for a child or the potential risks and range of needs of other children living in the home. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned service provides residential accommodation for up to three looked after young people who have complex emotional and behavioural needs.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/01/2015 Full adequate 26/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 08/01/2014 Full good 13/02/2013 Interim 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) ensure that visits by the independent person take place at least once a month. (Regulation 33 (7)) 20/04/2015

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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 the home implements clear procedures for introducing young people to the home, which covers planned, and where permitted, emergency placements (NMS 11.1)  ensure that entries in records are legible, clearly expressed, non- stigmatising and distinguish as far as possible between fact, opinion and 5 of 6 third party information. (NMS 22.4) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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