Children's home run by Lancashire County Council in Preston

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager demonstrates commitment to maintaining exceptional standards of care and accommodation. He builds constructive links with local services to enhance opportunities for children. Local charities have recently provided funding for a drama group; giving children improved opportunities to enjoy the theatre and arts.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A stable and consistent staff team know children well and understand their care plans, ensuring that care effectively meets children‟s individual needs. A parent said „I think the care is outstanding, it feels like a second home. He is very settled there and I have peace of mind knowing that he is happy and very well cared for‟.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are dedicated to seeking children‟s wishes and feelings and maximising their input in decision-making. A new „talking mat‟ improves opportunities for children who communicate non-verbally to share their views. Children choose their bedrooms, meals, activities and the children and staff with whom they spend time. Regular feedback from parents and children influences practice in the home; parents say that their contributions are valued and welcomed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback from all sources describes excellent relationships between staff and children. A staff member said „everybody enjoys their work, they love the company of the children; we all work hard to develop relationships and better understand our children‟. A parent said „Staff are professional, supportive, and communicative as well as being friendly and genuinely appreciating my son as an individual. I feel they genuinely care about both of us and feel much supported‟.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have high expectations for children; innovative and carefully monitored individual goals for children‟s short break stays result in children making progress. Staff promote activities and opportunities for children. Children‟s preferences guide the activities that they participate in, with activities tailored to maximise children‟s engagement and to meet their specific needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home promotes positive behaviour through encouragement and praise; there is no use of sanction. The use of physical intervention is very rarely used and only to promote safety. Where used, it is effectively recorded with timely management oversight.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff address children‟s safety and welfare proactively. The formation of comprehensive care plans and risk assessments is in conjunction with parents, professionals and children wherever possible. These effectively guide care and promote children‟s safety. There have been no complaints, safeguarding concerns, allegations or children missing since the previous inspection

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Enhanced safeguarding training includes staff training in online safety, child sexual exploitation and radicalisation. Policies accompany staff training and provide clear guidance should staff have safeguarding concerns. Ongoing safeguarding review and updating ensures that staff and children have up to date information to maximise safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Regular independent monitoring of the home enhances quality assurance and safeguarding. The submission of independent monitoring reports to HMCI does not state, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded; and whether the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being, this does not meet regulatory requirement.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides short break care and accommodation for up to six children with learning disabilities and physical disabilities The home is operated by a local authority The home is fully equipped to meet the needs of the children using this short break service

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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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.

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Requirement Due date

must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being (Regulation 44(4) (a)(b)) 30/04/2016

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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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