Children's Home run by Idem Living Limited in Knowsley

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1240449 1 Registered provider: Idem Living Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home provides care for up to three children. The provider states in its statement of purpose that it provides care for children who may have a learning and/or physical disability.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager in post.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 25 October 2022

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: 1240449 2

p.1

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.

p.2

The care of children

Children enjoy a range of activities with staff. Activity records are detailed and reflect the child’s experience and views. Children living in this home have been able to choose their own summer holiday; one child is looking forward to a trip abroad with a member of staff.

p.2

The care of children

At the last inspection, one of the communal rooms had a lock on the door to restrict children’s access. This has now been removed and children have access to all communal areas within their home.

p.2

The care of children

Since the last inspection, the interim manager has made some changes to improve the home environment. However, not all routine maintenance is completed in a timely way and further refurbishment and redecoration is required. The interim manager accepts that further work is needed in order to create the homely environment that she wants for children.

p.2

The care of children

Staff do not have up-to-date copies of all children’s relevant plans. Shortfalls were identified in local authority care plans, health assessments and education plans. This limits the interim manager’s and staff’s ability to ensure that they are meeting the children’s individual needs in each of these areas.

p.2

The care of children

One child is preparing to move on from the home. He has lived there for a number of years. Staff have supported him to explore the different options available and to view properties. The child told the inspector that he has enjoyed his time at the home and now feels ready for the adult world.

p.2

The safety of children

Risk management plans are in place, which outline children’s risks and vulnerabilities and the strategies that staff are to use in order to keep children safe.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff spoken to during the inspection demonstrated a good understanding of children’s vulnerabilities and were clear on the actions that they should take if they have concerns for a child’s welfare.

p.2

The safety of children

Leaders have informed relevant professionals, including the local authority designated officer, regarding matters of concern within the home. However, actions to improve safeguarding arrangements in the home are not always undertaken. This includes follow-up work with children after any incidents of concern. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1240449 3 Incident records require improvement. Records do not show clearly what has happened, any further actions that may be required, and any learning that has arisen from the incident. A new monitoring system has been devised to ensure that there is sufficient management oversight of incidents within the home. However, this is not yet embedded in practice.

p.2

The safety of children

Positive behaviour is promoted through praise and incentives for children. As a result, no physical intervention has been used since the last inspection. However, records of consequences do not demonstrate discussion with children. Furthermore, oversight from the interim manager lacks scrutiny, in order to ensure that the measures used are having the required effect on children’s behaviour.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has left the organisation. A new manager has been appointed and intends to submit her application to register with Ofsted.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff spoken to describe a supportive environment. They were positive about the interim manager and the changes that she is making.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home is now fully staffed. One child told the inspector that he is cared for by a consistent staff team. Agency staff have worked in the home since the last inspection. However, efforts have been made to ensure that the same agency staff are used in order to maintain consistency for children living at the home.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There are shortfalls in staff training. A number of staff have not received necessary training that is specific to children’s individual needs. Staff are having additional training on autism spectrum disorder. Staff spoken to were positive about the impact that this has had on their practice and understanding of children’s needs.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Monthly reports from an independent person now include consultation with stakeholders and are sent to the regulator promptly. The home’s quality of care report now includes feedback from children living in the home, in order to make improvements to the care provided.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Some of the requirements raised at the previous inspection have been met; however, a number have been reinstated and will be reviewed at the home’s next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1240449 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 12/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/07/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1240449 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.5

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This relates to the registered person ensuring that the children live in a home that is clean, tidy, and decorated to a good standard throughout.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 10 May 2023

p.5

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.5

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. 10 May 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1240449 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iv))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to the registered person ensuring that children’s relevant plans are obtained from the placing authority to inform care planning to meet the children’s needs.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(ii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that relevant follow-up work is undertaken with children. 10 May 2023

p.6

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; 10 May 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1240449 7 demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(e)(f)(g)(h))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to the registered manager needing to have robust systems in place to monitor and review the children’s plans and their progress in accordance with their relevant plans.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered managed needs to ensure that staff complete mandatory and child-specific training in a timely way.

p.7

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 10 May 2023

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

p.7

Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. 10 May 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1240449 8 The registered person must ensure that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (3)(c))

p.8

Recommendation

 The registered person should make sure that the home’s record of the event includes a clear description of action taken and the outcome of any resulting investigation. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.14) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1240449 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Idem Living Limited

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Stable Court Business Centre, Water Lane, Tarbock Green, Prescot L35 1RD

p.9

Inspector

Genevieve O’Reilly, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1240449 10 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.

p.9

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.10