Children's home run by Idem Living Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2500668 1 Registered provider: Idem Living Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to three children who may have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was 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

Date of last inspection: 26 February 2025

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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: 2500668 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/02/2025 Full Good 05/12/2023 Full Good 22/11/2022 Full Good 25/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2500668 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is presented to a good standard. Since the last inspection, improvements have been made. Children’s bedrooms and communal areas are personalised. A new extension has given the children additional space.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, three children have moved out, with two having positive moves onto adult provision after living in the home for several years. One child moved on after a short time as staff could not keep them safe. This was not a positive ending for the child. Leaders and managers have reviewed this child’s experiences to identify any shortfalls and learning for themselves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s plans include the use of safety equipment, including harnesses for car travel. However, despite escalation from the manager, plans are not always completed in consultation with families and professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A wide variety of communication methods are used with children, who are supported to actively participate in day-to-day decision-making. Staff know children well and understand their needs. They adopt a total communication approach to their practice. Social stories are used to help the child understand daily routines and any changes within the home. Staff have worked collaboratively with other professionals to support children’s communication. Staff recently received advice and guidance about children’s individual needs from speech and language therapists. As a result, children’s communication improves while living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s family time is promoted by staff, who adopt a flexible approach to planning children’s time with family to ensure that it is enjoyable for all. One child recently enjoyed a summer holiday and accesses a range of enjoyable activities in and out of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in education. Education professionals were complimentary about the care and support that staff provide. One said, ‘Staff have helped [Name of child] establish good daily routines and understand the importance of allowing them time to process things.’

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

Staff prioritise children’s safety. They supervise children in the home and teach them the skills to keep themselves safe at home and in the local community. Staff know children and their risks well. Risk management plans are clear and help staff to understand children’s vulnerabilities.

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

Staff hold children as a last resort and only to prevent them from harming themselves or others. Staff work collaboratively with the provider’s positive behaviour support team. Inspection report for children's home: 2500668 4 Since the last inspection, there has been an improvement in the recording of restraint. However, further work is required to ensure that there are suitable debriefs between the child and staff following any incidents.

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

Robust safer recruitment practices are in place. Staff are carefully monitored, and appropriate checks are carried out to ensure that unsuitable people are not recruited. This ensures that children are cared for by adults who can care for them safely.

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

There are safe and effective medication procedures in place to ensure that the children have the appropriate medication when needed to maintain their emotional well-being.

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

Leaders and managers respond effectively when children make allegations. They ensure that actions are taken to protect children in line with the home’s policies and procedures. However, not all staff demonstrated a good understanding of the role of the local authority designated officer. A recommendation is made to address this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is well established in the home and suitably experienced. He has high aspirations for children and is clear in his expectations of staff practice. The manager has good oversight and monitoring systems in place, which identify where improvements can be made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from professionals is positive. They say that there is good communication and children have established routines, which support their progress in all aspects of their life, including their toileting.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is fully staffed. All staff have the relevant training they need to meet children’s needs. The manager understands the importance of training and development to ensure that staff can meet the needs of children. Staff say that they enjoy working in the home and are well supported by the manager. Staff are committed to giving children opportunities to meet their potential.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monthly team meetings provide a good forum to share information about children’s plans and progress. The staff have been able to strengthen and reflect on their practice because of the good-quality support and regular supervision that they receive. The manager ensures that staff receive annual appraisals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All new staff receive a good-quality induction. They familiarise themselves with policies, procedures and children’s case records. New staff are given opportunities to shadow others when they first join the team. Inspection report for children's home: 2500668 5

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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

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and 5 December 2025 Inspection report for children's home: 2500668 6 within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that all staff and the child complete a debrief following all incidents of restraint and this is done in a timely way.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(b) (2)(a)(b)(iii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that all children have a positive move out of the home, and that all staff follow children’s plans when supporting them. Additionally, ensure that there is a clear plan drawn up in consultation with families and professionals regarding the use of a child’s harness when travelling in a vehicle.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been restated. Inspection report for children's home: 2500668 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff understand the role of the local authority designated officer. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.14)

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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: 2500668 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Idem Living Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Stable Court Business Centre, Water Lane, Tarbock Green, Prescot L35 1RD

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Inspector

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2500668 9 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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