Children's Home run by Omega Care Group Limited in Knowsley

Inspection report for children’s home: 2717322 1 Registered provider: Omega Care Group Limited

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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 by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager were registered with Ofsted on 23 February 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living in the home at the time of the inspection. The inspector spoke to one of the children about their experiences 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 outstanding

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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: 2717322 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/08/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2717322 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s experiences of living in the home are positive. One child said that staff are ‘like family’. Staff help the children to build trusting relationships with them. As a result, children develop a sense of security and make good progress. One child has left the home since the last inspection and was supported to move on positively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff focus on supporting children to access formal education. Staff provide children with clear routines, and positive strategies are in place to help them to attend school. One child has increased their attendance in school to full-time hours since living in the home. This ensures that children are achieving their academic potential, as well as socialising with peers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that records are child-focused, detailed and personalised. They are written by staff with care and in the anticipation that the children will read their records. This ensures that children know they are cared for and supports their emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff ensure that there is a strong culture of inclusion in the home. Staff are proactive in supporting the children to explore their heritage and identity. Children understand that managers and staff care about them. This ensures that children feel accepted and builds their confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated and maintained to a high standard. Children are encouraged to decorate their rooms to reflect their individual interests. This means that children develop a sense of belonging and take pride in the home.

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

Managers and staff ensure that children are safe living at the home. Staff are confident in their de-escalation skills and use a calm approach when children are upset. Consequently, the number of physical restraints for one child has significantly reduced since they moved into the home. This means children feel safe and are learning how to manage strong emotions.

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

Staff encourage children to talk about their risks. Conversations between staff and children explore topics that relate to the child’s vulnerabilities. This ensures that children are developing an awareness of risks, and the strategies to keep themselves safe.

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

Staff act immediately when children are at risk. Children’s risk plans provide clear guidance for staff and are regularly reviewed and updated. However, staff do not always challenge other professionals when children’s needs are not being prioritised. This reduces opportunities to ensure that there is a consistent multi-agency approach to safeguarding. Inspection report for children’s home: 2717322 4 Staff have completed training that is specific to the individual risks of the children. Managers ensure that staff implement this learning effectively in practice. This means that staff have the necessary skills to identify and reduce risks for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has high aspirations for the children and is dedicated to providing a high level of care. Staff and external professionals hold him in high regard, and he provides strong leadership in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers enable staff to feel empowered in their roles. Managers encourage staff to think independently and lead in specific areas. All staff, including those new to the team, are confident in carrying out their roles. This creates a positive and strength-focused culture in which children can thrive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers hold regular team meetings that are well structured and motivate staff. Managers and staff embrace the opportunity to identify areas where they can develop practice in the home. This ensures that managers and staff are striving to provide the best care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers ensure that staff receive regular and effective supervisions. Staff feel able to reflect on their practice and act on feedback provided by managers. As a result, staff practice is continuously developing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers prioritise advocating for the children. Children’s voices are at the forefront of everything they do. Children feel heard, and their views are listened to and responded to. This means that children are involved in their care planning and are able to express their feelings about their care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2717322 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that when the placing authority or another relevant person does not provide the input and services needed to meet a child’s needs during their time in the home or in preparation for leaving the home, the team challenges them to meet the child’s needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.8)

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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: 2717322 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Omega Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 40-42 Kemble Street, Prescot L34 5SQ

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Inspector

Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2717322 7 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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