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 new admission. The young person that lived at the home at the time of the last inspection has since left and now lives independently. The new admission was planned and they have made a smooth transition to the home. There is evidence of positive change and improvement for the young person across all aspects all of their welfare, physical, social, emotional and behavioural development. So much so, that there is a strong possibility they could soon return home to live with their own family.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person’s parent reports, ‘It’s really good. He’s really happy. They take good care of him and he’s actually made good friendships with his carers. I haven’t got any faults, he’s come on loads…They let us know when he’s having a good day or a bad day. He has a really good rapport with the staff and I do. They are really good and I haven’t a bad word to say about them.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person enjoys good relationships with staff who are positive role models for them to look up to and learn from. Staff provide the young person with continuity of care so they have consistency and stability in their lives. The young person benefits from effective, high quality support from staff that makes a positive difference to their lives. For example, they become increasingly safer, as a result of the actions staff take to support and protect them. The young person feels safe and has a strong sense of personal safety. The frequency and intensity of risk taking behaviours, such as drug use, anti-social behaviour and going missing from care for long periods have reduced considerably. As a result, the young person is less likely to suffer actual harm.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a good understanding of the young person’s needs and vulnerabilities and they take appropriate action, to address them. Risks associated with the young person are well known and suitably managed by staff. The use of restraint is exceptionally rare and, if used at all, it is only ever used as a last resort to protect the young person from actual harm.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person attends school with good support and encouragement from staff. Staff maintain effective partnerships with the young person’s school and ensure they attend school regularly. They work closely with teaching staff to maximise the young person’s educational progress. The young person has an up- to-date personal education plan to promote their educational achievement, which is well followed in practice.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person benefits from good support to promote their positive health. They are registered with a doctor, dentist and optician and have access to specialist support, if they require it. Consequently, they benefit from effective support to promote their physical and emotional well-being. Medical consent is in place and staff are familiar with the health decisions and responsibilities that are delegated to them.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations from the previous inspection. The home has notified Ofsted of the arrangements for senior staff to deputise in the Registered Manager’s absence, when the post holder is managing the other homes within their control. These arrangements are appropriate and provide senior staff who oversee the day-to-day operations of the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are effective arrangements for monitoring the home’s activities. The home is visited, each month, by an independent person who scrutinises the performance of the home. This enables staff, leaders and managers to understand the home’s strengths and tackle any identified weaknesses to secure the homes improvement. There are no requirements or recommendations as a result of this inspection.

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 behaviour difficulties.  The home is privately owned and managed.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.4

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.5

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.5

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.5

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.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

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.6

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.6