Children's Home run by Thunderbolt Mobile Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC055153 Inspector Mark Kersh Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Nichola Millicent Fairhurst Date of last inspection 13/10/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 02/02/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection None.

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

At the last full inspection in October 2014 this service was judged to be adequate. Since that time improvements have been made. The home's Registered Manager who has the appropriate qualifications and experience to manage this service is now supported by a qualified and experienced deputy manager. This allows managerial tasks to be shared with clear lines of accountability defined and ensures the staff team are provided with good consistent support and guidance. There is now a full permanent staff team in place and the use of agency staff has ceased. This provides young people with consistent care.

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This inspection

There are currently two young people accessing this service who live in various single occupancy locations across the country spending time on a narrow boat, a yacht, in a caravan and a flat. Young people have settled well into this service and improvements have been made in relation to their education. This organisation has its’ own education facility where one young person attends and qualified teachers provide young people with education within the various settings where they reside. Young people are engaging in their education programmes and their attendance is very good. An activity based programme is carefully planned and young people benefit from a range of outdoor activities. These include, go karting, high adventure ropes, horse riding, kayaking and visiting local historical attractions.

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This inspection

Young people are generally placed in this service for a 12 week assessment period. These young people are often in crisis and are placed in this service on an emergency basis. Young people confirm that they are welcomed into the service and provided with all of the necessary information and receive a welcome pack on arrival. One young person was positive about their experiences of this service and said, 'the staff are really good, they care and I'm doing better here than anywhere else I've lived'. The other young person was on board the yacht in Scotland completing a competent crew course. 3 of 6 A positive response from a young person's social worker stated, I have been really impressed with the care services provided so far, the manager has been sending through regular progress reports and keeping in regular contact with myself and the young person's family. During my last visit I was really impressed with the nurturing

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This inspection

and caring environment which was being provided for them and they appeared really happy.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection a number of young people have successfully been re- integrated into the organisations community homes. These moves had been part of the initial plans for the young people using the service and they are supported well by their keyworkers. This ensures young people following an assessment are able to make a smooth transition back into the local community, carry on with their education and sustain relationships with their peers.

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This inspection

The frequency of quality assurance monitoring by the Registered Manager has improved. This monitoring is now being done, monthly and is summarised into a three monthly report and provided to Ofsted as required. These reports include analysis of patterns and trends which demonstrate, overtime, a reduction in the number of negative behaviours and the need to use physical intervention. This monitoring identifies some development needs and so is contributing to improving the service. An independent person visits the service each month, and reports on the various locations young people stay in. These reports also consult with social workers, young people and their parents and contain positive feedback from such people.

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This inspection

The service continues to maintain effective links with external agencies such as substance misuse workers, projects specialising in child sexual exploitation, sexual health clinics and the local police. Allegations or suspicions of harm are promptly shared with external safeguarding agencies for consultation and appropriate action taken. This helps to safeguard young people. The Registered Manager maintains comprehensive records of all potential and actual safeguarding and child protection referrals. This also includes all subsequent actions and meetings. These records clearly evidence the compliance to policy and procedure in practice. Safeguarding training has been completed by all of the staff.

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This inspection

There are no current concerns in relation to safeguarding, missing from home or behaviour management with the young people using this service.

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This inspection

Significant events relating to the safety and welfare of young people have been notified to Ofsted appropriately. This ensures the regulator is kept up-to-date with matters of incidents and any safeguarding concerns within this service.

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This inspection

At the last inspection one requirement and four recommendations were made. At this inspection the requirement and three of the recommendations have been met. One recommendation made at the last inspection was in relation to the homely 4 of 6 environment of a property used. However, this property is no longer in use.

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This inspection

There is a staff training matrix which shows staff training completed and dates for refresher training for all of the staff within this service. Staff are supported well and receive regular supervision. This enables them to reflect on current practices and identify future learning opportunities. Young people are regularly consulted through key worker sessions and regular meetings with the staff. The Registered Manager responds to each young person in writing identifying the actions taken following young people's requests. Young people's placement plans are being monitored by their key workers to ensure their day-to-day needs are being met. There are clear lines of accountability within the management team and this enables staff to receive support in the work they carryout.

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This inspection

These improvements and the positive comments received from stakeholders has led to the improved effectiveness judgement being made at this inspection. No requirements or recommendations have been made at this inspection. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This service is owned by a private organisation. It provides activity-based intervention for young people who are experiencing a period of difficulty or crisis. Up to three individual placements for young people are provided. Placements are usually short term and are activity based.

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Information about this children’s home

A planned yet flexible programme designed to meet a young person's individual needs and circumstances is agreed with placing authorities. Young people are cared for at various locations around the United Kingdom in accommodation that includes bunkhouses, youth hostels, campsites, a narrow boat and an ocean-going yacht.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/10/2014 Full adequate 21/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 14/11/2013 Full adequate 29/10/2012 Interim inadequate progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information 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 framework of inspection for children's homes.

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