Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Blackpool

Unique reference number SC363398 Inspection date 09/01/2013 Inspector Malcolm Stannard Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 08/11/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately run children's home. Following a change in April 2012 to the home's purpose and function it now provides care for up to six children and young people. Care and accommodation is provided for children with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and sensory impairment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in November 2012, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good. At that inspection there was one requirement made and four recommendations for improvement. Appropriate action has been taken to address all of these, with the exception of one recommendation where development work is continuing. The manager of the home has made an application for registration with Ofsted which is currently being processed.

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Progress

Young people are making good progress at the home particularly in relation to their personal hygiene and taking steps to increase their independence.

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Progress

The agenda for young people's meetings has been amended so that feedback on any requests made at a previous meeting is relayed to the young people at the outset. This ensures that young people know their views and opinions are taken seriously and they receive a recorded response to all ideas.

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Progress

Operational procedures for the home were reviewed in December 2012. The procedure relating to the monitoring of fire prevention and detection equipment was updated at this time. The guidance and written process now fully reflects actual practice in relation to fire safety actions.

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Progress

A six monthly report reviewing the quality of care at the home and plans for development and improvement has been completed by the manager. A copy of the report has been supplied to Ofsted as required by regulation. This overview allows everyone at the home to have a clear vision of the desired development and improvement of the quality of care provided.

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Progress

The manager has amended the system for monitoring of young people's individual files to include a checklist which is completed monthly. This enables any deficiencies in the file contents to be identified and key workers to be alerted of any actions required by them. All relevant information can then be made available to staff to support them in their work with the young people.

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Progress

Work continues to be carried out to make the young people's guide to the home available in alternative formats. Currently, a guide in picture exchange communication system (PECS) format is being put together. This is proving to be a time consuming task, however the manager stated that she hopes to have the guide available for use in February 2013. The production of a DVD guide to the home is also under consideration. This recommendation for improvement made at the last inspection is repeated.

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Progress

The home continues to provide a homely environment for young people; it is well maintained and resourced. Young people, with the support and guidance of staff, have made individual progress in line with the appropriately small targets set. They have been able to take some responsibility for their personal hygiene and experience initial opportunities to exercise independence when attending school. These achievements are considerable given the starting point of the young people when they first came to the home.

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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 where a child requires it the young people's guide is available when appropriate through suitable alternative methods of communication, for example Makaton, pictures, tape recording or translation into another language. (NMS 13.6)

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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 progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection.

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