Children's home run by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Inspection report for children’s home: SC037670 1 SC037670 Registered provider: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a local authority to provide short breaks for up to two children at a time who may be experiencing social or emotional difficulties. The staff also provide outreach support to children and their families or carers in the community.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2020.

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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

Date of last inspection: 8 December 2022

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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: SC037670 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/12/2022 Full Good 05/01/2022 Full Good 06/02/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/11/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC037670 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive different packages of care that includes community-based support in the evenings, one overnight stays month, a long weekend a month or a combination of these. For example, one child does not wish to stay over but goes out in the community with staff. These short breaks are individualised to the children and are mostly time limited. When children choose to have a short break, they say that this is a positive experience for them. Mostly, these short breaks enable children to remain with their family long term. A parent said, ‘This is a place where children can be themselves. My child attended here for a period of time, and everyone talks about the difference in him.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff are skilled in forming positive relationships with children and their families or carers. Children said that this was the best thing about the home. One child said, ‘I have made memories that will last a lifetime’. Another child said, ‘I like the quiet here. Staff are great and listen to me. They appear to be really interested in what I have to say.’ Five social workers and two team managers spoke about the excellent relationships children have with staff and other children. All said that they would not hesitate to place a child here and would like to see this service extended or more services like it, in the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents and carers say that the service is valuable in supporting them. They feel that they are supported and that the staff offer a bridge between them and other professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents maintain parental responsibility for their children. However, staff do support families in education or health meetings. Therefore, other professionals have a clear picture of the child’s progress and emerging needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children do not have an identified bedroom but are able to personalise their bedroom on their short stay. For example, having their own bedding and bringing teddies or toys in with them. Children’s views are listened to. They choose their meals and often help staff to cook them. This supports their independent skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children can follow their hobbies, such as designing art items or attending football practice and matches. They also experience a range of activities that they have not tried before, such as bowling, trampolining and ice skating. This helps them with their confidence and self-esteem. In addition, the home is a warm and homely environment where children can relax and have fun.

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

Staff are appropriately trained in safeguarding and understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. They have a good understanding of the children’s needs and vulnerabilities. They follow clear risk management plans, that Inspection report for children’s home: SC037670 4 have been formulated with parents and professionals involved in the child’s care. They are regularly reviewed and updated with clear strategies for staff to follow to keep children safe.

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

Children have not been reported missing from this home. Likewise, they have not been held for their or other’s safety. However, staff are aware of what to do if an incident occurred. Consequences are rarely used because staff help children to understand the boundaries at the home and in the community.

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

Staff said that the basis of their good care of children is an open and honest conversation with them. One staff said, ‘Our focus is to help children adapt or open up about their previous trauma and emotions. Helping them to talk and make new coping skills. Therefore, a good relationship with them is essential.’ A social worker said, ‘Due to the excellent relationships, one child was able to share concerns that we did not know about. Therefore, we were able to take the appropriate action to keep the child safe.’ A child said, ‘This is somewhere you can express yourself freely and not have to worry.’

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

All referrals are carefully assessed to ensure that the service is suitable for children, including consideration of the home’s location. Social workers understand that there may be circumstances when the service is not offered due to specific safeguarding concerns for a child.

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

The manager follows safer recruitment processes and completes all relevant safety checks. The manager’s oversight of these records is good and makes sure that children are protected from unsuitable adults working at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified and demonstrates a clear commitment to improving outcomes for children. The manager leads an experienced, skilled and stable team. The staff share a positive and child-centred approach. The manager and staff are committed to supporting children, their families and carers, and take pride in their achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they are well supported by the manager. Staff receive regular supervision and appraisal, which focuses on their practice and the support to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive effective training that enhances their practice. The training helps staff to have a good insight into children’s needs. This provides staff with the confidence that they need to understand complex behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff operate in line with the statement of purpose and are well resourced to meet the needs of the children. The manager has taken appropriate action to address the one requirement and four recommendations made at the last inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC037670 5 Professionals value the support that the staff provide to the children, their families and carers. Staff attend all meetings for children and present reports on their stays at the home. Social workers say that this input is valuable and that staying at the home makes a positive difference on the children’s outcomes. A social worker said, ‘They think outside the box and can support children in creative ways.’ Another social worker said, ‘I cannot praise them enough. This is a committed staff team that go above and beyond for children and their families.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Management oversight systems in the home are good. The manager has a good understanding of children’s progress and of practice in the home. She identifies areas of practice to be strengthened and/or developed within her review of the quality of care. However, the external independent person’s report often duplicates information. This does not help the manager to address or drive any improvements required. Inspection report for children’s home: SC037670 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they actively challenge the independent person’s report when the information provided is duplicated from the last or previous reports. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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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: SC037670 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Knowsley MBC, Children’s Services, Huyton Municipal Buildings, 6th Floor, Huyton, Knowsley, Merseyside L36 9YU

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Inspector

Pam Nuckley, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC037670 8 regulates and inspects 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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