Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC035477 Inspector Jackie Line Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Lancashire County Council Registered person address PO Box 78 County Hall Fishergate Preston PR1 8XJ Responsible individual Brendan Francis Lee Registered manager Jacqueline Laura Bumford Date of last inspection 02/07/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 17/02/2015

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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

The home was last inspected in July 2014. It received an overall effectiveness judgement of adequate. At that inspection two requirements and six recommendations were made. At the point of this interim inspection both requirements have been met, and the majority of recommendations have been effectively addressed. This demonstrates the Registered Manager and staff team learn from inspection, and make improvements accordingly. In turn this has a positive impact on young people’s progress and experiences.

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This inspection

External and internal monitoring of the home has significantly improved since the last inspection. New systems have been introduced to ensure the care and progress of young people living at the home is sufficiently reviewed, and any issues identified are suitably addressed. For example, health plans are now regularly reviewed; young people attend follow up appointments, and receive the required medical treatment. This means that young people’s health needs are fully promoted. External monitoring of the home is now carried out by a suitably independent person. Reports are evaluative, and evidence good levels of consultation with young people, their families and social workers. The visitor identifies strengths and outlines areas for improvement. Together with more robust oversight by the Registered Manager, and prompt action to address shortfalls, this has helped to drive improvements forward.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection two young people have moved on. These moves were positive, and in line with their care plans. Staff supported young people well through this transition, and birth families complimented the staff for their efforts. One parent said: ‘Thank you for helping to try and improve their independence skills.’ Three young people have subsequently moved into the home. Despite some unhappiness about the geographical location, all are settling in and are make progress relative to their starting points and individual needs. One young person commented, ‘if you 3 of 5 could pick this home up and move it to [location], that would be great; things have got better for me since I came to live here.’

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This inspection

Young people’s day-to-day care needs are well met. Staff continue to provide structure and routine to encourage participation in education, and in leisure activities. Most young people have a good record of attendance at school or college and, where appropriate, access alternative education programmes. For example, some young people have successfully completed voluntary work, and others are enjoying a course facilitated by the Prince’s Trust. This enables young people to enjoy a broader range of opportunities and experiences, develop confidence and learn new skills. However, not all young people of statutory school age attend full- time education, and because of exclusion they receive some home tuition instead. Although staff have made some efforts to address this with the relevant parties, plans about how to progress this are unclear. This is not helping all young people to achieve their full potential.

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This inspection

Young people enjoy positive relationships with staff, and they can identify people who they can talk to should they have any worries or concerns. Young people benefit from living in a stable environment, and since the last inspection have enjoyed a relatively settled period. As a result, young people continue to make progress in different aspects of their development, for example young people are maturing and making positive choices more of the time. There are still times when young people come together to create mischief. This has resulted in some damage to decoration and soft furnishings in the home. As a result, this has limited progress on improving the presentation of the home, and the planned refurbishment has been delayed. This is identified as an area for further improvement.

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This inspection

Young people live in a safe environment where they are protected from harm. Staff use good safeguarding measures to identify risk, and use protective measures to keep vulnerable young people safe. Significant events are now reviewed by the Registered Manager, and concerns are promptly addressed. For example, in response to young people misusing alcohol on occasion, and emerging concerns about the use of legal highs, a workshop was organised for staff and young people. This intervention proved to be effective; young people and staff experienced an enjoyable learning experience together; they are more suitably informed, and young people are making better lifestyle choices to keep themselves safe. One young person said: ‘I don’t use legal highs anymore’, and there has been no repeat of risky behaviours involving alcohol.

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This inspection

Young people rarely go missing from home, when they do staff continue to take appropriate action to ensure their safe return. Staff ensure that social workers now carry out return home interviews in a timely manner, and information is shared to minimise future incidents occurring. Because of effective intervention from staff, and strong collaborative working with partner agencies, risky behaviour has further reduced and young people’s welfare is safeguarded. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This children's residential unit is operated by a local authority and provides care for up to six young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The unit takes emergency placements. Services have also been developed to support young people in need who are registered as refugees.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/07/2014 Full adequate 19/03/2014 Interim good progress 07/10/2013 Full adequate 11/03/2013 Interim satisfactory progress

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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 children who have been excluded from school have access to appropriate education so they are supported and enable to resume full- time education, in particular young people's education needs are reviewed to identify appropriate education provision, and secure engagement in full- time learning without delay (NMS 8.8)  ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated; in particular that any damage caused is promptly repaired and work is undertaken with young people in relation to respecting their home environment. (NMS 10.3). Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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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