Children's Home run by Care Afloat Ltd in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC006013 Inspector Charlie Bamber Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Care Afloat Ltd. Registered person address 158-160 Birkrig Digmoor Parade SKELMERSDALE Lancashire WN8 9HP Responsible individual Michael Fletcher Registered manager Sharon Angeline Mangan Date of last inspection 03/12/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 25/03/2015

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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

The children's home is making a positive difference to the young person who lives there. Progress has been made since the last inspection, with the young person requiring reduced support from staff and having progressed to being allowed a short amount of free time each day.

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This inspection

The young person is engaging well with education, attending on a daily basis and participating to a good level. He will sit exams in the summer and is working towards other practical and academic qualifications. His education is promoted through a positive homework routine and sanctions being imposed for poor behaviour at education and rewards offered for attending well and working hard.

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This inspection

The young person is healthy. His physical health needs are well taken care of. His emotional health needs are also considered a priority and he has participated in weekly CCATS sessions since the last inspection, which have had a positive impact. These sessions are funded by the placement and this evidences their commitment to promoting the young person's emotional wellbeing.

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This inspection

A range of appropriate activities are on offer for the young person. His engagement in these activities allows him to broaden his range of experiences and to pursue his interests. A recent reward for exceptional behaviour was tickets for him to watch England play rugby. Healthy activities ensure that the young person is kept active and social activities allow him contact with his peers.

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This inspection

Safeguarding the young person is given a very high priority and risk assessments are regularly updated. The quality of risk assessment is very high and a detailed analysis of the risks provides evidence for allowing greater independence and the introduction of managed free time, with a number of safeguards in place. Missing from home episodes are very rare. When they do occur, protocols are followed, 3 of 5 records are kept in detail and the young person is safely returned.

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This inspection

The young person enjoys contact with the family members with whom he chooses to have contact. The home facilitates and supervises this contact and is keenly aware that contact can be a sensitive and potentially difficult time for the young person. They are keen to express their views on any potential changes to contact and the impact this could have on the young person in respect of increasing the risks to him.

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This inspection

The home have planned a holiday to southern France for the young person and two members of staff in the summer following the completion of exams which all are looking forwards to. This is a considerable achievement and shows the high level of progress that has been made and sustained since the placement commenced.

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This inspection

Records in respect of the young person are kept to an exceptionally high standard. They are accurate, up to date and clear. The young person's voice is evident in keyworker sessions and he is supported to express his views at meetings and through involvement with an advocacy service. Leaders and managers have good systems in place to ensure effective monitoring of the running of the home and of the quality of care the young person receives. Managers have a good understanding of the strengths of the home and are keen to engage in continuous improvement to ensure the best possible outcomes for the young person.

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This inspection

One recommendation was made at the last inspection in relation to obtaining a pathway plan from the local authority. This recommendation is repeated as there is no pathway plan available. The home has tried on many occasions to ensure that the pathway plan is completed, but as yet this has not been successful. No further recommendations are made at this inspection. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This private company-run home provides care and accommodation for one young person with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2014 Full good 18/03/2014 Interim good progress 17/12/2013 Full good 15/01/2013 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 the home contributes to the development of each child’s care plan, including the pathway plan for eligible care leavers and works collaboratively with the young person’s social worker or personal adviser in implementing the plan. (NMS 12.2). 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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