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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2741688 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 privately owned. It can provide care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

One child has moved out of the home since the last inspection. At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home. Both children spoke to the inspector about their experiences of living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 9 August 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2741688 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/03/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2741688 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children make significant progress when living in the home. Staff are extremely skilled at forming positive relationships with children. They understand how the children’s previous experiences may affect their behaviours. Children say, ‘I can trust them (staff), I know they have my back.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff records detailing the daily activities and conversations with the children are exceptional. Staff take the time to ensure that records are consistently child centred and capture the children’s experiences vividly. This ensures that the children’s memories of living in the home are accurate and accessible for them to read in the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff use research-based practice to support children’s progress. It underpins their care of the children in a way that is relevant and natural. As a result, staff practice is of an extremely high standard.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children to access new experiences and interests. When children are worried about trying something new, staff support them to take a step back and explore the reasons why. As a result, children enjoy new opportunities while developing their self-confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are supported into education, training or employment successfully. When children experience barriers in their attendance, staff work closely with education professionals to find alternative options for the children. As a result, children’s attendance in employment and education improves when living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff ensure that children are supported to move on from the home successfully. One professional described a child’s transition plan as ‘the best’ they have seen for a child. Staff ensure that children’s voices are the most powerful driver when making decisions about their care. As a result, children move on confidently and with the skills they need to live more independently.

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

Staff provide children with an exceptional level of care that keeps them safe. External professionals say that staff are always physically and emotionally available for children. As a result, children feel safe and connected to the adults who are caring for them.

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

Staff are highly attuned to the needs of the children. Staff build trust with the children, which means that they can have open conversations with them. They talk about issues such as vaping and substance misuse without the children feeling judged. This means that children can learn how to make healthy and safe choices about their lifestyles. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741688 4 Managers identify innovative, child-centred and safe strategies when complex safeguarding situations arise. They build strong working relationships with external professionals while supporting children’s wishes. As a result, the children develop the skills to keep themselves safe with the support of a multi-disciplinary team.

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

Incidents when children are at risk are rare. Staff identify signs that the children are at risk and intervene at the earliest opportunity. Managers thoroughly evaluate incidents to highlight areas of development in staff practice. As a result, safeguarding strategies used by staff to keep children safe are highly effective.

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

Staff are enthusiastic about developing their safeguarding practice. They value the access to specific training provided by an in-house training consultant. Although there have not been any safeguarding concerns relating to staff, not all staff are confident in knowing the provider’s whistle-blowing policy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is an incredible advocate for the children. Staff follow his lead in ensuring that children are acknowledged as the experts on their own care. As a result, practice in the home is child centred and empowers children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have an unquestionable commitment to improving the service. The experiences of children are at the centre of practice in the home. Managers quickly identify areas of development and implement clear actions to improve their care of the children. This means that children are living in a home with an aspirational culture.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers ensure that high-quality team meetings are held regularly. Conversations in the meetings are reflective and staff are supported to be solution focused. As a result, the staff are motivated to overcome any challenges in their care of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers create an environment where staff development is prioritised. Staff supervision sessions and appraisals provide clear feedback on their performance and explore how they can progress in their roles. This means that there is a stable and motivated staff team surrounding the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are ambitious for the children. They ensure that children’s plans are detailed and that their voices are central to their care planning. Managers are proactive in advocating and acting in the children’s best interests. As a result, children feel supported and aspirational about their futures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements were made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741688 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff are familiar with the home’s internal whistle-blowing procedures through the induction process. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.9)

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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: 2741688 6

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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 to 42 Kemble Street, Prescot L34 5SQ

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Inspector

Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2741688 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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