Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC039683 Inspector Graham Robinson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person Lancashire County Council Registered person address PO Box 78 County Hall Fishergate Preston PR1 8XJ Responsible individual Brendan Francis Lee Registered manager Caroline Holmes Date of last inspection 03/11/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 25/02/2015

p.1

Previous inspection outstanding Enforcement action since last inspection None

p.2

This inspection

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

p.2

This inspection

The home has continued to make progress since the previous inspection. For example, staff have created and introduced a `Look Book' which young people work through as part of a weekly, organised activity. The books have themed pages which test and allow young people to explore issues and perceptions about themselves and others. This allows staff and young people to work together in exploring prejudices and tolerance levels, as well as helping to improve young people's self-esteem and confidence in themselves.

p.2

This inspection

Other new initiatives introduced since the previous inspection include; an assessment of individual staff performance undertaken by their own colleagues and young people. Training for staff has been arranged to take place shortly linked to supervising contact visits. This is an area staff at the home find themselves becoming more involved with as the needs of young people change.

p.2

This inspection

Importantly, all young people placed in the home are making significant progress in all areas of their lives. For example, attendance at education placements is high, with appropriate educational progress being made. Behaviour management incidents in the home are rare, reflecting the positive relationships that exist between staff and young people. Incidents where young people were putting themselves at risk in the community have stopped. This has resulted in one young person with a previous history of exploitation, being removed from the high risk category.

p.2

This inspection

The home retains excellent working relationships with partner agencies, which ensures that young people are provided with a co-ordinated, multi-agency response should they go missing or be involved in any safeguarding issues. These arrangements have contributed effectively to minimising the number of incidents that have occurred since the previous inspection. 3 of 5 A programme of refurbishment is part way through with young people confirming they have been part of the process for choosing décor and new furniture. For example, all bedrooms have been decorated to the specification chosen by the occupant. During the inspection staff and young people were busy choosing kitchen fittings prior to the planned refurbishment of the kitchen next week. Consultation is a strength of the home. This is reflected in the recent surveys young people have completed about both the home and staff, which were all positive.

p.2

This inspection

Young people speak positively about their experience of living in the home and about the staff who look after them. They benefit from having a stable and experienced staff team who have the understanding, knowledge and commitment to meet their diverse, individual needs. For example, staff have developed a successful strategy of working positively with a young person who had before admission to this home, a history of aggressive and challenging behaviour. This has resulted in the young person being well managed, without incidents escalating to the point where physical intervention is required.

p.3

This inspection

Both the management and staff team have remained intact, with all having worked together for some time. The organisation, management and functioning of the home is excellent. This is due in part, to the effective team centred approach created between staff and the senior team, who all buy into the ethos, culture and working practices developed in the home over recent years. As a result, young people benefit from the stability the home provides them with, which translates into a consistency of care which is of a high standard.

p.3

This inspection

Young people continue to enjoy improved outcomes in all areas of their lives. No issues or concerns have been raised as a result of this inspection. No new requirements or recommendations have been made. 4 of 5

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home can accommodate a maximum of six young people of either gender with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority and only considers referrals from that local authority.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/11/2014 Full outstanding 24/02/2014 Interim good progress 02/12/2013 Full outstanding 21/02/2013 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5