Children's home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Wyre

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

Young people continue to benefit from the good care and support they receive from a largely experienced and qualified staff team. Relationships with staff and each other are extremely positive. Staff are committed to helping young people achieve their personal goals and have been very effective in enabling them to find stability and a sense of belonging in their lives. This, as well as a strong ethos of care, has helped young people come to terms with their past and help the majority to think and plan positively for their future. Written feedback from one parent made comments like ‘My son has thrived’, ‘He has come on leaps and bounds’ and ‘The staff are awesome because they go above and beyond their duty as carers’. This was reiterated by the young person himself who said, ‘Staff will do anything to help me. I think this is a really good place to live and I have made loads of progress since coming here.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are positive role models for young people. They provide clear and consistent boundaries that are underpinned by good social values. These are routinely promoted in the home. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the good lifestyle choices young people are making. Consequently, incidents of risk taking behaviour are extremely low for the large majority of young people. This is with the exception of one young person who is persistently going missing from home. Staff have been proactive in ensuring this risk is managed appropriately, including reporting to the police and maintaining checks that he is safe during his absence. Multi-agency discussions have taken place regarding this and a number of other concerns relating to this young person. A range of strategies have been explored and tried in an effort to re-engage this young person who is consistently choosing to reject the good advice, guidance and support that is offered to him. Inevitably,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

a decision to close the placement has been made and staff are currently working with the placing authority to identify an alternative care placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three recommendations were made at the previous inspection. Consultation with young people remains a strong feature in the home. This has been further strengthened by the introduction of a child-friendly care plan that young people have been supported to complete. ‘My Placement Plan’ encourages young people to reflect on their individual needs and determine what support they need. Although these plans are in the early stages of development, they have the potential to be an extremely useful care planning tool.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to promote young people’s engagement in school, work and college. For the majority their efforts are rewarded by good levels of attendance and engagement that enhance young people’s future potential. Staff have made every effort to overcome the barriers to participation in education that have been presented by one young person. They have worked with a range of education and social work professionals to explore ways of re-engaging this young person in the world of study, with little or no effect. This includes the use of incentives, reduced timetables and alternative placements and curriculums for example.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has taken action to identify and agree working arrangements with placing authorities to carry out return home interviews. However, these are not being undertaken when young people return to the home after a period of being missing without permission. The manager has reminded respective social workers of their statutory duties, but this has had no impact on improving their responses. She recognises that the need to escalate her concerns but has not yet done this. This means that an opportunity to explore the reasons young people choose to go missing is missed and information is not sought by an independent person to further safeguard and protect young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is generally well organised and effectively managed. The manager and staff talk proudly about young people and recognise the significant journeys they have made. They take every opportunity to affirm young person’s achievements. For example, one young person proudly showed photographs of him receiving a children in care ‘positive contribution award’, which the manager nominated him for, a celebration that was enjoyed by staff the young person and staff.

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Information about this children's home

This is one of a number of children’s homes owned and operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure each child's needs are met.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the engaging with the wider system to ensure each child's needs are met standard, the registered person must, and must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

(c) if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority's or a relevant person's performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child's needs are met in accordance with the child's relevant plans.

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Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to ensuring that the placing authority fulfils its duty to provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return interview following any event of a child returning home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission. 20/04/2016

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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

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Information about this inspection

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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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