Children's Home run by PALS Residential Services in Liverpool

Inspection report for children’s home: 2634272 1 Registered provider: PALS Residential Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to three children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2634272 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/01/2023 Full Good 01/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2634272 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The same children have lived at the home since the last inspection and all have made progress. This is despite some challenging situations that staff have had to address to ensure the safety and welfare of all children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have high aspirations for the children in their care and are proactive in their approach to securing education placements for children. Staff have developed effective working relationships with education staff and work with them to ensure that there are good educational outcomes for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are vigilant in promoting the health needs of children and have sought advice when necessary. Staff promote healthy eating and take into account the views of children when planning meals. One child was overheard discussing meal choices with staff, who cooked the child a different meal, respecting their choice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of children maintaining contact with people who are important to them and are proactive in achieving and maintaining this contact. Staff ensure that they keep families and those important to children up to date with both positive and challenging news.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children enjoyed a holiday with staff during the school summer holidays. They were able to access a range of outdoor activities and photos show them all having a great time.

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

Children are safe as a result of staff taking action to care for them in line with safeguarding procedures and involving relevant professionals to promote their safety.

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

For one child in particular, staff have remained vigilant in acting on information shared by the child in conversations. Staff ensure this is recorded and shared with relevant professionals. Staff make appropriate referrals to safeguarding professionals and ensure that they are kept up to date as information becomes available.

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

The relationships that staff have developed with children enable children to talk to them, discuss any concerns that they may have and share their thoughts. However, risk management plans do not reflect the current risks for children, so do not help staff to minimise risks. Documents contain a great deal of information and it is not easy for staff to find information about how to keep children safe.

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

Staff are trained in the safe administration of medication and follow these practices to safeguard children and promote their health. Staff also support children’s health through ensuring their regular attendance at appointments Inspection report for children’s home: 2634272 4 The home is well maintained and homely. Staff carry out regular health and safety checks of the property to ensure that children remain safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a qualified and experienced manager. There is now a full and consistent staff team in place which provides continuity for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A high proportion of staff are qualified and experienced. Staff are committed to the children in their care and share the aspirations of the manager for children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff recruitment procedures are robust. However, when information is shared with the provider about staff’s previous convictions, the detail of how risks are managed is not clearly recorded. There is also poor recording in relation to gaps in employment. In addition, information from agencies about agency staff is not reviewed with the employment agency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular planned supervision with either the manager or deputy manager and also receive clinical supervision with the in-house therapist. Staff attend regular staff meetings, with the option of joining online, which helps to achieve good attendance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff spoke highly of the support that they are offered by the manager and deputy, saying that there is always someone available for help and guidance when they need it. They also felt that training is varied and easy to access. Although the majority of staff have received training about radicalisation, they would benefit from a refresher in this area due to the current concerns for one child. In addition, staff would benefit from training to help them understand their roles and responsibilities in the wider children’s care system.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy a range of incentives, such as annual leave on their birthday, financial bonuses and a meal out for them with children following a positive Ofsted outcome, to celebrate their success. In addition, staff can access counselling sessions from the in-house therapist should they wish. Inspection report for children’s home: 2634272 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, The 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe. (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(b)) 30 November

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character. (Regulation 32 (3)(a)) 30 November

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff receive training about radicalisation, and the wider children’s care system. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12)

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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: 2634272 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: PALS Residential Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 119 Asser Road, Liverpool L11 8NL

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Inspector

Julia Toller, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2634272 7 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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