Children's Home run by Lifetime Opportunities Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC411046 Inspector Ruth Loughridge Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Emma Louise Thomas Date of last inspection 22/10/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 19/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

Young people continue to make excellent progress. Positive feedback from social workers and schools indicates progress across all areas of development including health, communication and general wellbeing.

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This inspection

Strong working relationships with other professionals from voluntary and statutory agencies ensure young people’s full range of needs are met and they make progress. The home has secured the services of a children’s rights advocate for one young person to independently establish their views about living at the home. The home’s excellent communication with schools helps to ensure continuity for young people across both environments.

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This inspection

Young people new to the service soon begin to flourish and make exceptional progress. This is as a result of: careful planning which ensures compatibility of the needs of new and existing young people, significant training that is provided for staff to meet particular needs, and the nurturing approach of the committed staff team.

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This inspection

The use of social story work has been developed. Time and care is taken to explain sequences of events to young people, with words, photographs and symbols. They are used to prepare young people for significant occasions, to help them to know what to expect and to minimise distress.

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This inspection

Contact between young people and their families is planned in agreement with placing authorities. Where appropriate, contact arrangements develop and are managed and facilitated by staff at the home. This offers greater flexibility for young people and their families.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection the home’s missing from care policy has been updated in line with local guidance. Young people’s individual missing from care protocols, have 3 of 5 been updated to reflect the policy changes.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager continues to monitor the operation of the home and young people’s progress. Staffing has been increased to meet the needs of the young people. This has been well managed and ensures the skills, experience and relationships with young people are considered when matching staff to work with the young people.

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This inspection

In line with the requirement made at the last inspection, the independent visitor to the home, where appropriate, regularly seeks the views of relatives. Therefore, they now have the opportunity to express their views or raise a concern to someone independent of the home and placing authorities. Three recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. This demonstrates the commitment of managers and leaders to the ongoing improvement of the service. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who have learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/10/2014 Full good 21/03/2014 Interim good progress 29/11/2013 Full good 01/03/2013 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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