Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Blackpool

Unique reference number SC065313 Inspection date 01/08/2012 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Brief description of the service

This home is operated by a private organisation. It is registered to care for up to 3 young people of both genders with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements Adequate : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be adequate .

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Overall effectiveness

Overall young people make adequate and some good progress; particularly in keeping healthy, maintaining a structured education routine to work towards their potential and enjoying regular exercise. Young people receive good quality of care. Young people and staff are developing positive, warm relationships which are enhanced by a recent period of stability in the management arrangements. This improves young people's self-worth, self-esteem and sense of being valued. A youth offending team worker said: 'She needs to have somewhere where she belongs and she does there.'

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Overall effectiveness

Care plans are individual and tailored to young people's needs with regular multi- disciplinary reviews to improve young people's experiences. Young people say they feel safe and staff are committed to keeping young people safe. However, not all young people fully understand the risks their behaviours pose for them in the community. Staff strive to uphold consistent safe boundaries while maintaining positive, productive relationships. Young people benefit from this consistent approach and start to bond with the home. One young person reported that 'she wanted to stay in the home', because 'she liked the staff.'

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Overall effectiveness

The manager has only recently been appointed; nevertheless she has a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses within the home. She is in the process of securing improvements, fully supported by the company, in line with a suitable development plan. Recommendations are made to improve outcomes and safeguarding for young people. These include written responses to care plans and following any disciplinary measure, ensuring that only young people whose needs can be reasonably met are accommodated, that young people are always given the opportunity to be examined by a medical practitioner following a restraint and ensuring the children's guide holds independent advocate information and is available in other languages.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that all young people communicate their views on all aspects of their care and support (NMS1.3)  ensure that where there has been physical restraint, the home must be able to call on medical assistance as required and young people are always given the opportunity to be examined by a registered nurse or medical practitioner (NMS 3.16)  ensure that where any sanctions, disciplinary methods or restraint are used, young people are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home (NMS 3.18)  ensure that the home only provides admission to young people whose assessed needs they can reasonably expect to meet (NMS 11.2)  ensure that the children's guide sets out how a young person can contact the Children's Rights Director and Ofsted if they wish to raise a concern (NMS 13.5)  ensure that where a young person requires it, the children's guide is available in suitable alternative methods of communication, e.g. translation into another

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Recommendations

language (NMS 13.6)  ensure that young people are actively encouraged to read their files, other than confidential or third party information, and to correct errors and add personal statements (NMS 22.5)  ensure that young people understand the purpose and content of their plan and the reasoning behind any decisions about their care. (NMS 25.1)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are adequate .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are beginning to form beneficial relationships with core staff members and starting to emotionally benefit from consistency in their lives. A staff member said: 'She has come a long way in building relationships with us and will spend time with us now.' Young people are starting to recognise their own emotions and learn how to express these more positively. As a result they are making progress in developing a positive self-view and confidence in their abilities. A social worker stated: 'She has done a lot of good things in the past couple of weeks and agreed to do things that she had previously refused to do.'

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are healthy and enjoy a balanced diet to maintain healthy outcomes. Where young people need specialist health assessment and support, assessments take place and plans are drawn and agreed with relevant agencies. For example, psychologists, mental health teams, substance misuse and sexual health services. As a result young people receive support with emotional and psychological needs as part of their overall plan. Young people are encouraged to enjoy the benefits of physical exercise in the community to promote their health and build inclusive social skills. For example, lengthy bicycle rides and attending the local gymnasium.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are fully encouraged to attend school and receive incentives to engage positively. Young people improve attendance and interest in their education providing opportunities for achievements as a result. One school report read, 'Attendance is 81% which is an improvement since being at the home'.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people maintain important relationships with family members in line with their plans. Young people fully benefit from the security, stability and sense of consistency that this contact brings to maintain long-term relationships.

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Quality of care

There has been a period of disruption for much of the earlier part of this year with young people being violent towards staff and damaging the fabric of the home. Staff remain constant in their care of young people and maintain positive, appropriate boundaries in line with young people's individual behaviour management plans. A social worker stated: 'It has been hard for them when it has been really bad but they stay with it and stay with her. It would be much easier to give in but they don’t, they are good at being consistent.' Young people feel valued, cared for and that they belong; as a result behaviours have improved. Young people that have moved on recognise the care they received in the home and maintain telephone contact with staff who offer further support when needed. A social work team manager wrote, 'Thank you for your help and understanding in working to support (name). She has had such good support from you, I have seen some looked after young people not

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Quality of care

receive the level of commitment you provide'.

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Quality of care

Young people report that they feel listened to and that their views are valued. Staff enable young people to use residents' meetings effectively to express their wishes, report any complaints and suggest improvements for the home and their care. Young people's feelings of belonging and confidence in their abilities to express themselves positively are enhanced. One young person wrote, 'I am happy here', in the signed minutes. Young people's feelings of self-worth and well-being are promoted by the very good key work system. This also allows them to explore in a safe place why it may not always be possible to act upon their wishes. However, young people do not read or sign the subsequent records missing the opportunity for them to reflect on their progress. Young people are cared for in line with their comprehensive individualised care plans. A social worker commented: 'They have done everything we recommended.' Key

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Quality of care

workers regularly review and update plans which are tailored to the needs of the individual young person and have clear, measurable outcomes. For example, they contain education incentives and achievements and detailed strategies for addressing health issues. However, not all plans are seen or signed by young people therefore their full involvement is not assured.

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Quality of care

Young people's continuity of care is assured by the extremely good communication between the home and other professionals. A specialist police officer stated: 'Staff are very good and we get an email weekly summary.' Young people benefit from holistic, proactive practice which provides an effective multi-agency approach to their needs.

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Quality of care

The caring and experienced staff team remain committed to supporting young people irrespective of the barriers they present or face. Staff consistently engage young people in positive and enjoyable activities both within the home and in the community. Young people's sense of belonging and confidence in their abilities increase as they respond to that care. A youth offending team worker said: 'She argues with her key worker but she has a good relationship with her and trusts her.'

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy living in a comfortable home within walking distance of all local amenities. There has been some recent damage to the home by young people. This is in the process of being repaired and does not detract from the homely atmosphere. A young person said: 'It is my home and I want it to look nice.' Young people benefit from individual bedrooms which they personalise to their taste. They also have the shared use of a number of rooms, including living and dining room and conservatory. In addition, young people enjoy healthy play on the trampoline in the garden. Young people's well-being is promoted by the opportunity to spend time alone or participate in joint activities as they would within a family home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is adequate at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people report they feel safe in the home where safeguarding is a priority. Young people's welfare is paramount and central to practice. Not all young people take full advantage of all the support being offered to keep themselves safe. For example, not returning to the home at agreed times and engaging in risk taking behaviour in the community. However, staff remain consistent in their approach. As a result young people are becoming confident that staff are concerned with their welfare. Staff proactively engage with young people to enable them understand the risks and potential risks their behaviours may lead to, as well as how to protect themselves. Where particular risks are identified, prompt communication takes place with social workers and specialist agencies to consider appropriate responses. A youth offending team worker stated: 'The staff have tried really hard to keep her safe and make that difference.'

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff are informed and knowledgeable about young people’s specific vulnerabilities. Young people's risk assessments address their individual needs and are updated regularly. Identified needs are promptly addressed including the increase of staffing levels where necessary. This supports staff to ensure young people are safe at home. To further promote safety in the community the manager and staff spend a great deal of time talking through any identified concerns with young people. As a result, young people feel cared for, protected and are in the process of developing appropriate self-protection processes. However, there are still a large number of episodes of missing from the home. Comprehensive locally agreed procedures ensure that staff know what to do when a young person is missing and staff physically go and search for them. In addition, close working relationships with specialist police services and proactive practice to prevent missing episodes, provide further

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people display challenging and complex behaviours which present risks and challenges to keep them and staff safe. As a result, there are a high number of physical interventions, some of which result in injuries to staff. Thorough records detail risks, practice and decision making to support interventions in line with legislation. Some recent evidence shows physical interventions are reducing but this is not yet supported by a sustained period. The manager and staff team aim to continue to reduce restraints and support young people through early intervention strategies and increasingly consistent relationships. A staff member said: 'We do everything we can to make them feel safe as well as keeping them safe. We do what we would want for our own kids.' However, following episodes of restraint young people are not routinely offered the opportunity to be examined by a trained medical practitioner. Nor are they encouraged to have their views recorded in the records

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Safeguarding children and young people

kept by the home or to complete the home's 'Reflection Sheets'. Therefore, they are not fully safeguarded nor are they being given an opportunity to reflect on their behaviours.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are effectively protected by appropriate recruitment procedures which are well supported by robust safeguarding procedures. Young people's physical safety is assured by efficient health and safety procedures including regular emergency evacuation drills.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are adequate .

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Leadership and management

The Registered Manager resigned after a period of absence due to ill health in March 2012. The current manager has been in post for just over two months and has submitted an application for registration. During the intervening period a temporary manager was briefly appointed and arrangements for a manager to cover from another home were in place. Young people used the management changes as an opportunity to test boundaries on occasions. However, the experienced and strong staff team maintained consistent care ensuring there was no adverse impact on young people. Staff and young people report positively about the impact the new manager has had in the home. The manager works closely with senior managers in the company to identify strengths and areas for development. The recommendation from the previous inspection has been fully met; very good monthly monitoring processes, including capturing the views of young people, are utilised to evaluate care and

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Leadership and management

promote continuous improvement. The manager effectively uses the information gathered to inform a realistic development plan. This maintains good care of young people and identifies opportunities to improve outcomes and safeguarding practice.

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Leadership and management

The Statement of Purpose clearly outlines the aims and objectives of the home, the care to be provided and full staffing details. Details of how young people's equality and diversity needs will be met are addressed. As a result, young people, their parents and professionals are aware of the care they will receive and the majority of young people are appropriately placed. The likely effects of a young person's admission to the home upon the existing group of residents are explored during the pre-admission planning process. However, the full influence of particular young people being placed together has not been fully recognised, impacting on meeting their assessed needs and contributing towards challenging behaviours.

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Leadership and management

The children's guide contains appropriate information for young people. However, the Ofsted information is not current, there is no information about the Children's Rights Director and it is not available in any other languages. Young people therefore are not afforded the opportunity to gain independent support if they so wish in a format they can understand.

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Leadership and management

Sufficient staff numbers are available to support young people's needs and ensure they have a choice of people to turn to. A social worker said: 'She has a really good relationship with her key worker and is getting good relationships with everyone else. They are all meeting different needs.' Mandatory training is complete and refreshers ensure staff remain up-to-date with core aspects of practice, including interventions and safeguarding. Young people are being cared for by staff who are equipped with the skills to meet their needs.

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Leadership and management

The newly appointed manager has quickly established warm relationships with young people which has had a positive effect on well-being. Strong relationships maintained with partner agencies enable effective multi-agency decision making. A social worker said: 'They will work well with you here.' All significant events are appropriately managed and notifications are forwarded to agencies, including Ofsted. Young people are safeguarded by these measures.

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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