Children's home run by Blackpool Borough Council in Blackpool

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home only received its full inspection in January 2016, so it is difficult to ascertain if young people have made continued measurable progress since then. However, strong indicators picked up during the inspection give some insight into the fact that young people continue to progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For example, the home has remained stable and calm, with no serious behaviour management issues taking place. One young person left the home recently in a planned move to semi-independent living. This was the result of long-term planning and evidences the strong working practices the home has with external agencies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, all y/p have achieved full attendance at their respective school or college. Those currently living in the home are in line to receive an award of achievement at a ceremony due take place on 11 March 2016.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people confirm they are settled into their long-term placements. They feel safe and secure due to the excellent levels of trust developed through their strong relationships with staff. The staff group remains constant, giving young people a high standard continuity of care. The observed interaction between the two parties is positive, which creates a warm, happy atmosphere in which young people seem to thrive. Detailed plans, strategies and assessments of risk, which are updated regularly to keep them current, address young people’s individuality, identity and needs. Other documents such as monthly reports, daily records and reports produced for review, when read collectively, give a good insight and provide evidence which shows young people make progress in all areas of their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A tour of the premises facilitated by young people shows the levels of cleanliness, state of repair, fixtures, fittings, décor, furnishings and equipment are all of a good standard. Young people like their home and were observed as being comfortable and relaxed in their environment. The manager is experienced, well organised and child-focussed. She is well supported by a stable staff group and well respected by the young people living in the home. There is ambition and desire to keep moving the home forward in an effort to improve practice and ultimately, outcomes for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This is reflected in the development and progress made in the short time between inspections. For example, a number of risk assessments have been revised and updated. All the central recording logs have also been revised, updated and introduced into the home as working documents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The monitoring of the home both internally and externally meets with statutory requirements. An active programme of staff training remains on-going. Since the last inspection staff have completed training in areas such as; child protection, substance misuse, sexual health and safeguarding. This ensures staff keep up to date and retain their understanding of the potential dangers that can affect the young people in their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the last full inspection, three requirements were made. Despite being given a target date of mid-March for completion, they have all been fully addressed. This has resulted in improvements made to assessing the risk of a child from sexual exploitation at the referral stage, introducing a new risk assessment around young people keeping pets and improvement in the standard of recording for physical intervention and complaints.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition, four recommendations were made and they have also been successfully addressed. This has led to improvements of safety around the home, improved feedback to staff and young people following safeguarding issues, greater detail being contained in the homes location risk assessment and with steps taken for greater analysis and evaluation to appear in written reports from external monthly visits.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This proved to be a successful inspection with positive feedback received from both young people and staff. As a result this report does not contain any new requirements or recommendations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall the period from the last inspection has been a settled one. The home continues to be well managed and organised and there is a genuine commitment to look for continued improvement. As a result the outcomes for young people remain positive.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is run by a local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to six young people who have experienced emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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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.

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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.

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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 .

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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,

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Information about this inspection

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

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Information about this inspection

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

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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

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