Children's Home run by New Start in Knowsley

Inspection report for children's home: SC471289 1 SC471289 Registered provider: New Start Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is managed by a private company. The home provides care for up to four children.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a suitably qualified and experienced manager in post. They are currently in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC471289 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 14/07/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/06/2019 Full Good 12/12/2018 Interim Not judged Inspection report for children's home: SC471289 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are three children living in the home. The home is spacious and provides a homely environment for the children. Children’s bedrooms are personalised, reflecting their individual tastes and interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy living in the home. One child said, ‘It’s really good living here,’ and another said, ‘It’s a nine out of 10.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff celebrate children’s achievements and milestones. Children have celebrated birthdays by having a bouncy castle and going go-karting. Children feel valued because of the support and care that they receive. This helps children’s emotional development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain positive relationships with their families and friends. Staff work closely with children and their families to promote positive time together. Family members and friends are invited to the home. This helps children to rebuild important family relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s experiences of arriving at and leaving the home are positive. One child has left since the last inspection to live in a semi-independent provision. Although staff tried to provide support and the transition was well planned, the child did not want to access the support provided. However, the staff have attempted to maintain contact with the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children are making good progress in relation to education. One child attends school full time and another child attends college. One child is currently not in school and the manager and staff team are working hard with external agencies to identify a school. However, these delays now need to be escalated and a recommendation has been made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are gathered through direct work and children’s meetings. The manager responds to the children’s views and wishes individually by writing to them to address any issues and to let them know they are being listened to. This helps children feel valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children enjoy a range of activities and experiences. The staff arrange theme days, which include a picnic for national picnic week, and they are planning to hold a mini music festival.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s plans are individualised, although some plans are not always up to date. Although staff know the children well, they do not always have the most up-to-date information in relation to children. A requirement has been made. Inspection report for children's home: SC471289 4

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager and staff develop detailed risk assessments and management plans for each child. These are monitored and updated so they remain relevant and effective. Staff supervise children in line with their risk management plans to ensure their safety in the home and the community. Staff have clear guidance and strategies to manage any risks.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Direct-work sessions are individualised to the needs of each child. Topics covered show that areas of risk are discussed. This demonstrates that children are being helped to learn what it means to keep themselves safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

One child who has left the home frequently went missing. Staff followed a comprehensive missing-from-home protocol, contacting the child regularly and carrying out local searches and visual welfare checks when appropriate. However, independent return home interviews were not always carried out with the child. A recommendation has been made to address this shortfall in practice.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff manage challenging behaviour effectively and encourage children to reflect on incidents in a constructive and supportive way. Inappropriate behaviour is challenged and de-escalated, which means the use of physical intervention is not required. Furthermore, rewards and sanctions are used effectively to enhance children’s learning and understanding.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The home is physically safe and secure. Staff complete regular health and safety checks to protect children. This includes holding fire drills, to ensure that children know what to do in case of an emergency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children well and has high ambitions for them. He is passionate about improving children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are either qualified to the appropriate level or are currently undertaking the relevant course. This means that children receive support from suitably qualified staff. Staff are provided with a wide range of training that informs their practice and meets children’s individual and diverse needs. This provides staff with the essential skills and knowledge for their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The monitoring systems in place for managers have improved. Internal audits carried out by the responsible individual and the manager allow them to identify shortfalls and put plans in place to address these.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are well attended and take place each month. They are purposeful, as staff get the opportunity to discuss any issues and share updates regarding the children. Inspection report for children's home: SC471289 5 The staff and manager receive regular supervision. This is purposeful and gives staff the opportunity to reflect on their practice. Inspection report for children's home: SC471289 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that children’s care plans are up to date and signed by staff. 15 September

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children who return home after being missing from care receive an independent return home interview. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  The registered person should ensure they escalate concerns when the local authority or other partner agencies do not engage with the child’s plan. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 11, paragraph 2.30)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children's home: SC471289 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 179 Townsend Lane, Clubmoor, Liverpool L13 9DY

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Inspector

Rachael Crook, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC471289 8 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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