Children's home run by Quality Protects Children Ltd in Knowsley

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC052744 1 SC052744

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Registered provider: Quality Protects Children Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to five children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, four children were living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, in November 2023, there have been three allegations of physical harm against children by different members of staff working in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken by managers and staff to ensure children are safe and to determine if the allegations were managed in accordance with statutory guidance.

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This monitoring visit

Staff do not always follow procedures when there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. On one occasion, a member of staff did not report an allegation of physical abuse to a manager in line with the provider’s safeguarding policies. Another member of staff advised a colleague not to report an allegation unless the child made a complaint.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers followed safeguarding procedures once they became aware of the allegation and put strategies in place to protect children. Further action was taken by managers to address the shortfalls in staff safeguarding practice. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC052744 2 Swift action has been taken by managers to safeguard the children following recent allegations. The concerns were immediately shared with the placing and host local authority as required and a record of that referral is retained.

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This monitoring visit

There are clear records of all the allegations that have been made. The records include details of how allegations have been followed up, decisions made and any action taken.

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This monitoring visit

Following the recent allegations, leaders and managers have worked hard to ensure that all staff are clear about, and follow, procedures in relation to dealing with allegations involving staff in the home. Safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures have been explored during individual supervision sessions with staff. This has been discussed in team meetings, and all staff have been provided with a copy of the policies. Staff spoken to during the visit knew what to do when presented with different safeguarding scenarios.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers are committed to creating an open culture where disclosures are welcome. Staff say they feel more able to share concerns with managers and challenge colleagues.

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This monitoring visit

Support has been provided to the children involved, and the members of staff who have had an allegation made against them. Reflective sessions have taken place with the children on each occasion, offering them reassurance and an opportunity to share their views, wishes and feelings if they want to. This has been in accordance with any ongoing investigations.

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This monitoring visit

Children spoken to confirmed that they knew how to make a complaint. However, one child who has recently moved into the home said that they would not “snitch” if a member of staff hurt them. This means that action may not be taken to safeguard the child and other children living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Managers ensure that the children have access to independent professionals who do not work in the home and the on-site school. The children are supported to speak to the independent person when they visit, and one child has recently been referred to an advocacy service. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC052744 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/12/2022 Full Good 26/04/2021 Full Good 09/07/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC052744 4

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm; and

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly.

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Requirement Due date

(Requirement 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all staff have the skills to identify that a child is at risk of harm, and that they take effective and timely action to safeguard a child. Furthermore, the registered person must ensure that all staff have a working knowledge of the home’s safeguarding policies and understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. 19 September 2024 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC052744 5

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Recommendations

The registered person should ensure that each child knows what safe care is and how to report any allegations. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.17) Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC052744 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Quality Protects Children Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hill House, Archway Road, Huyton, Liverpool L36 9XB

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Inspector

Dawn Walker, Regulatory Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC052744 7 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 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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