Children's home run by Omega Care Group Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2732923 1 Registered provider: Omega Care Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation and is registered to care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since 3 May 2023. This is the home’s first inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there was one child living in 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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2732923 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child receives personalised care from a committed team of staff who know them well. Staff are emotionally available, providing the child with a nurturing environment where they feel comfortable to express their feelings and can rely on staff to respond sensitively. This helps the child feel safe and secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders, managers and staff ensure that the home is friendly and welcoming. The child is supported to contribute to decisions about the home, such as where photos of them and staff are placed and the decor in their bedroom. This provides the child with a sense of belonging and acceptance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle. Key-work sessions on topics such as nutritionally balanced diet, the risk of vaping, attending medical appointments and sexual health are held often with the child. In addition, staff have supported the child to overcome their phobia of the dentist, by putting measures in place putting measures in place to ease their fears. For example, the child was seen by a female dentist, at their request.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have high aspirations for the child to reach their academic potential. Staff have advocated for the child to attend school and have worked with the child’s teachers to facilitate a successful move from being home tutored to going back to classroom- based learning. The child has good attendance at school, which helps them to develop knowledge and skills that can be applied in adult life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders, managers and staff have formed a positive relationship with the child’s family. They communicate often about the child’s care and support the child to spend time with their family, in and out of the home. This means the child can retain a sense of identity and build and maintain relationships that are important to them. One family member said, ‘I get invited for tea. As soon as I walk through the door the kettle’s on. They come and pick me up and take me to see [name of child]. I cannot praise them enough.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has many opportunities to share their views on the care they receive. Children’s meetings take place monthly and the child has a say in the choice of activities and meals on a weekly basis. Staff routinely respond to the child’s requests, demonstrating that their views are valued. In addition, the child is provided with relevant documentation on how to make a complaint and confirms that they know how to do this should the need arise.

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

There are clear and consistent boundaries in place for the child. Positive behaviour is promoted, and staff use a reward system that provides incentives based on the Inspection report for children's home: 2732923 3 child’s interests. Staff adopt a restorative approach to negative behaviour, which helps the child to understand that there are consequences to their actions.

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

Safeguarding practice is effective. Staff have formed positive relationships with the child and have good knowledge of their associated risks. Staff practice is informed by detailed risk assessments and behaviour support plans which provide a step-by- step guide of what action staff should take to minimise incidents, and how to respond when they occur. This ensures that the safety and well-being of the child are prioritised.

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

Incident records evidence that staff understand their role and responsibilities to keep the child safe. They are thorough, and routinely reviewed by leaders and managers. The reports include reflections from both staff and the child to understand if there are any additional support needs and how staff practice can improve.

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

In contrast to the child's previous placement, there have not been any missing-from- home incidents since they moved into this home. The social worker’s team manager commented, ‘[Name of child] has gone from strength to strength. They are in school and have not gone missing. It speaks volumes that [name] is not voting with their feet.’ Should the child go missing from home, there is a detailed plan that staff understand to make sure the child is returned home quickly and safely.

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

The child confirms that they are happy living at the home. They feel safe and can identify adults they can speak to about their well-being. Staff support the child to manage their behaviour and feelings safely through regular key-work sessions on topics such as self-harm. They encourage the child to consider alternative coping strategies that are not harmful. This supportive, non-judgemental approach helps the child to understand the impact that this behaviour can have on them.

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

The child has completed various training courses and direct work on topics such as drug and alcohol awareness, internet safety and vaping. Staff revisit topics on safety issues with the child to ensure that they have understood what they have learned. This greater knowledge prepares the child for independence and teaches them how to keep themselves safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in post since the home opened in May 2023. He has vast experience of managing children’s homes and is suitably qualified. He demonstrates a commitment to achieving positive outcomes for the child and understands their care needs and how to meet them. He is supported by a deputy manager who is also well experienced. Staff describe the manager as supportive and approachable. The manager demonstrates motivational qualities and ensures that staff are supported to fulfil their roles and responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home employs a sufficient number of qualified staff with various skills and experience that they can apply in caring for the child. Leaders and managers Inspection report for children's home: 2732923 4 understand that consistent care is important to the child feeling safe and secure. Therefore, permanent staff members, including the managers, are used to cover staff absence such as annual leave and sickness.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child’s move into the home was well planned. Leaders and managers arranged a care package that included staff from the child’s former placement moving with the child, to help them adjust to their new environment and staff team. This has helped the child to build trusting relationships with new people, secure in the knowledge that they are also being cared for by people who are familiar to them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Care planning is undertaken in conjunction with parents and social workers and other professionals. Leaders, managers and staff work effectively as part of a multi- agency team to ensure that the child’s all-round needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The induction for new staff is satisfactory. There is an increased level of formal supervision, which provides staff with scenario-based practice issues to develop their knowledge and provide managers with an understanding of the staff member’s learning needs. The focus on encouraging and supporting professional development is good and a range of mandatory and needs-led training opportunities is provided for staff to ensure that the child receives care which meets their needs and meets legislation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are used effectively to share information and review the child’s care. This forum is also an opportunity for the manager to consider theoretical approaches that can inform staff practice and ensure that staff respond sensitively and empathetically to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager makes good use of monitoring and quality assurance systems to improve outcomes for the child. Monthly reports identify areas for improvement, which the manager addresses. Plans are individualised and provide a clear overview of the child’s needs. The manager ensures that these are regularly reviewed in consultation with the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There were no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection.

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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: 2732923 5

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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

Chibuzo Otache, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2732923 6 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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