Children's home run by Omega Care Group Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2559317 1 Registered provider: Omega Care Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A small private provider operates this home. The home provides care and support for one child who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in May 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2559317 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home following a deterioration in their engagement and an increase in serious incidents. Following their move, staff spent time making improvements to the home. The child who is currently living in the home moved in to the home in a planned way. Staff have made efforts to create a homely environment, which is clearly personalised with photographs and the child’s possessions. This helps children to feel that they belong here. However, previous repairs to the toilet door make it unsightly and, together with some minor repainting tasks, detract from the welcoming environment.

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The care of children

The child is not currently attending school. The child is engaging in home tuition in preparation for their return to school once a suitable school placement is identified. Staff help the child to continue with their learning during the school day by supporting the child to complete worksheets, accessing online learning or completing an educational activity. Staff are anxious to make the child’s return to school as smooth a transition as possible.

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The care of children

The child has made considerable progress since moving to the home. Very positive relationships are evident between staff and the child. The child told the inspector that staff helped them to settle into a routine in the home, as they had initially been nervous about the move. The child said, ‘I really like all the staff. They made me feel welcome when I first moved in.’

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The care of children

Staff engage the child in meaningful daily conversations, and complete more- formalised direct-work sessions regularly. The child is developing trusting relationships with the staff team. The child is able to talk freely to the staff, without feeling judged by them.

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The care of children

The child engages in activities with staff within the home, such as playing board games or doing art and craft activities. However, staff also support the child to take part in community activities. This includes going to the gym, doing a fun run or attending the youth club. As a result, the child is developing friendships in the local community and their self-confidence is increasing.

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The safety of children

Risk-taking behaviour has decreased for the child since they moved in to the home. Good-quality risk management plans underpin staff practice, and staff use agreed strategies to keep the child safe. The manager regularly reviews and updates these documents to ensure that they continue to be effective. Staff also have easy access Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2559317 3 to the child’s therapist, who they can seek advice from in relation to the best way to address any specific behaviours.

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The safety of children

The child moved in to the home with high staffing levels and a legal order to restrict their liberty. However, as a result of the progress that the child has made, staffing levels have been reduced and a court order is no longer required. Despite restrictions being lifted over a month ago, there have been no incidents of the child going missing from the home, even though this had been a previous behaviour of concern. This indicates that the child is settled and wants to be at the home.

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The safety of children

Individual direct-work sessions focus on specific vulnerabilities, such as online safety and making friendships in the local community. This helps children to make informed decisions.

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The safety of children

Staff use incentives and rewards to promote positive behaviour and they celebrate children’s achievements. The child is thriving with this approach. Staff only hold the child as a last resort to keep them safe, and records are detailed. Post-incident debriefs take place with all involved, as well as an evaluation of the incident, to inform future practice.

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The safety of children

One serious incident involving the previous resident, resulted in a serious assault of a staff member. The child used one of the home’s tools during this assault. An investigation took place after this incident to try to identify how the child had accessed the item, later used as a weapon. The manager has now introduced a more stringent procedure for the safekeeping of tools in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managerial arrangements are consistent. Together with the responsible individual, the manager has updated a range a documentation. Most documents are now written in a child-friendly format. They include the voice of the child and are regularly reviewed and updated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The staff team has been largely consistent since the last inspection. Staff are positive about working in the home and say that they are well supported. However, while there has been a renewed emphasis on staff training, staff have yet to complete bereavement training, which would help to ensure that they are best placed to provide support to children who have lost someone who was significant to them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

One requirement from the previous inspection has not been met. This is relating to the need for the independent person to make their own assessment as to whether the child living in the home is effectively safeguarded. Similarly, while the most recent quality of care review report was sent to Ofsted, the one prior to this was not received. This hinders Ofsted’s ability to monitor progress in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager demonstrates a commitment to improving the child’s long-term outcomes. He has provided suitable challenge to the placing authority since the last Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2559317 4 inspection and escalated this with senior managers when needed. The home operates in a manner that is responsive to the child’s needs, and social workers are positive about the home. Staff prepare detailed weekly reports, which include photographs, ensuring that the child’s social worker is kept abreast of progress. This also ensures that this information is maintained as part of the child’s case record.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/01/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2559317 5

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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 registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (1) (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, that the independent person reaches a clear conclusion regarding whether children are effectively safeguarded and their well-being promoted.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 March 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1) (4)(a))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, that all reports prepared under this regulation are forwarded to Ofsted in timely way and a procedure is established to ensure this. 31 March 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2559317 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s physical environment is maintained to a high standard to ensure it is a homely and welcoming place to live. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. Specifically, staff should receive training on bereavement. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 50, paragraph 10.11) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2559317 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Omega Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 40-42 Kemble Street, Prescot L34 5SQ

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Inspector

Mandy Williams, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2559317 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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