Children's home run by Care Afloat Ltd in West Lancashire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been a recent admission and two young people have left the home. The young person’s transition was very well planned and managed by staff. This included, planned introductions to the home and the opportunity for the young person to have an overnight stay. Consequently, the young person has quickly familiarised themselves with their new surroundings and is now developing positive relationships with staff. The young person is making good progress in relation to their starting point across all aspects of their welfare, physical, social, emotional and behavioural development.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Care planning is well planned and practice is highly personalised to meet the young person’s specific needs. Their needs arising from age, gender, race, culture and ethnicity are all positively identified and met. Staff provide the young person with the resources they need to practice their own faith and religion. The young person’s chosen food preferences and special dietary requirements are being catered for and met. Staff facilitate contact so the young person can sustain their close relationships with the people who are most important to them.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person attends education and benefits from good support and encouragement from staff. Their educational attendance is exceptionally good and staff work in close partnership with the providers of their education to ensure the young person achieves their full potential. The young person has a personal education plan to promote their learning, however, this requires updating. Additionally, the young person requires a revised care and pathway plan from the placing authority to take account of their changing needs and circumstances. This information is required by staff to meet the young person’s particular needs, so staff can support and prepare them for the future.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person is registered with appropriate health services, such as a doctor, dentist and optician and has access to these services, when they need them. Medical consent has been obtained so staff are clear about what health decisions and responsibilities are delegated to them. The home maintains effective partnerships with health professionals to promote the young person’s physical and emotional health.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are effective arrangements to promote the safety of young people. Since their admission, they have not presented any issues, whatsoever, with going missing from care. Should they do go missing, staff are familiar with and know how to follow the homes policies and procedures to promote their safe return. Staff actively look for them and request a return home interview takes place. They try to understand the underlying reasons as to why young people go missing, so they can take appropriate action to support and protect them.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the young person’s needs and vulnerabilities. They promote the young person’s positive behaviour and ensure the use of sanctions are kept to an absolute minimum. The use of restraint is rare and it is only ever used as a last resort to protect young people from harm. There is evidence to show that any complaints raised by young people are listened to, appropriately acknowledged and acted upon.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides young people with a warm, physically safe, comfortable and homely environment. There are effective arrangements for monitoring the activities of the home. This includes an independent person visiting the home on a regular basis to scrutinise the performance of the home, in which the home’s strengths and weaknesses are identified. This enables staff, leaders and managers to act on any recommendations made, to secure improvement. The home makes good use of its monitoring activities to promote and improve the standard and quality of young people’s care.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has recently notified Ofsted of the Registered Manager’s absence. There are appropriate short-term arrangements made for senior staff to deputise in the Registered Manager’s absence. This ensures the home continues to be managed efficiently and effectively. The home has addressed the requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection. Consequently, there is evidence of the home’s improved effectiveness. Young people’s needs arising from race, culture and ethnicity are now positively addressed and met. Contact is actively promoted and this ensures young people have regular contact with their friends and families and are not left feeling lonely or isolated. Staff ensure they can override all door locks in the home so they can gain quick access in an emergency, in order to keep young people safe from harm.

p.3

Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 1 young person who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.  The home is privately owned and managed.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

10/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.4

Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that relevant plans are obtained from the placing authority. This relates specifically, to a revised personal education plan, a pathway and/or care plan. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, paragraph 3.1, page 14)

p.5

What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.6

Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.7