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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As described in the home’s statement of purpose document, ‘X is a 71’ X 6’ Narrowboat, and is one of the largest boats on the canal network in Great Britain. She was built with the help of young people in 1986. She comprises of a living area, a galley complete with cooker fridge freezer and washing machine, forward toilet and a mid-ship shower room with toilet. Waterworks has three separate bedroom cabins with storage for both staff and the young person’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a strong focus on health and safety ensuring young people who use this service are assessed as safe to do so. Young people engage in a competency crew course which ensures they fully understand how the narrowboat operates along with the safety measures in place along the waterways. This includes the operation of canal locks and safety on towpaths. The daily operation of this service is a team effort with everyone on-board contributing. This builds and sustains relationships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The aim of the service is to provide young people who are unable to live in a group setting a stable environment in which they are able to develop their skills and achieve their full potential. The rural locations that the service travels to enables young people to break their cycle of previous risk taking behaviours, such as, missing from home incidents and being suspected or subjected to child sexual exploitation. Daily planners agreed at the point of admission incorporate education and activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support young people to continue their education, and educational arrangements are agreed and in place before or soon after admission. Young people who struggle in mainstream settings have an opportunity to attend the organisations off-site registered school that provides a smaller classroom environment and individual tutoring. Where this is not possible a qualified tutor visits the young person and provides education on the narrowboat. The young person has adapted to life on-board and is making progress from a difficult starting point. In particular, engagement and participation in learning is improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Support for young people’s physical, emotional and psychological health needs is in place and has a good impact on their resilience and well-being. Young people feel valued as individuals and benefit from staff that show a keen interest in their welfare and want them to succeed. Young people also enjoy good physical health, keep up to date with routine health checks and have access to specialist psychological support. They take part in regular exercise and eat a healthy diet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service provides good opportunities for the young person to experience normal teenage activities such as camping, swimming, cinema and visiting historical attractions, as they travel around the canal network. As space is limited on-board not all young people will adapt to this service and careful planning and a commitment from young people is needed in order for them to enjoy the experiences on-board. Space and privacy can be compromised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Four young people have used this service following the last inspection and although their length of time on-board has been variable, all have made some progress from their starting point. Where young people have left the service the manager and staff have facilitated and worked effectively with partner agencies and placing authorities. This ensures their next placement identified is suitable to meet their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person was accommodated at the time of inspection. In the few weeks that he has been accommodated he has adapted to life on-board. There has not been any behavioural incidents or reportable significant events, there are no safeguarding concerns and no missing from home events. The young person says, ‘I’m enjoying living here and I am changing my old ways’. His social worker is positive about the placement and says, ‘There has been a transformation in the young person and he has reflected on why he is there and wishes to change his ways. I feel staff are creative and meeting the young person’s needs’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has appropriate oversight of the home through the monitoring systems that are in place. Where any weaknesses are identified, appropriate action is taken to improve systems and support young people to progress. The independent visitor reported on how the conduct of the home promotes young people’s well-being and how effectively they are safeguarded as a result.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirement from the last full inspection has been met. The homes statement of purpose document has been updated and sent to Ofsted as required by regulation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations are made at this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

 The service is registered to accommodate one young person with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties  The service is privately owned  This service provides young people with single occupancy accommodation on a 71 foot narrow boat which travels around the canal network

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/03/2015 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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