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 requires improvement 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

One young person is resident in the home and there have been no admissions or discharges since the full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service has worked hard to promote improved outcomes for the resident young person. For example, they now have increased independence time; a degree of healthy weight gain; improved family contact; 90% education attendance and work experience linked to personal choice and a favourite hobby. The young person has fully engaged with all these life choices to best effect, which means they have emotionally grown and developed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The level of independence time for the young person is well measured in line with the presenting risks of going missing and exploitation which are reducing. The well detailed risk management document for sexual exploitation was updated after an episode of unauthorised contact, which culminated in a harbouring notice being served on a nearby address. While, the aforementioned risk management document was clearly refreshed after this episode, the home’s location assessment was not updated. This is a recording issue, as the home’s practice keeps the young person safe and they feel safe in the care of the staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In the period between inspections, there have been no episodes of restraint. There have been two complaints since the last inspection, which have been effectively managed by the home. The staff involved external agencies appropriately to address the concerns and progress to a suitable outcome. This practice indicates the home’s effective partnership working. Further examples of positive partnership working include; the work with a befriender service; engagement with the young person’s birth family; and work with the safeguarding agencies to secure the harbouring notice on a local address.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are effective external and internal monitoring procedures, which help outline strengths and shortfalls and plan for effective improvements. An issue with the submission of an external report was addressed during the inspection, as the manager provided a copy of the November 2015 report and evidence of posting. This means that all external monitoring reports are submitted to Ofsted as required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has constructively reviewed the format for their internal monitoring reports and plans to amend the format for future reports. The current reporting period is ongoing and there are evident regular updates to the review which informs current practice and team reflection on practice. For example the positive measures initiative, where goals are set and followed through and meaningful incentives are applied. This has had some measure of success within the area of personal care, which was a requirement at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three other requirements were made at the last inspection, which have been suitably addressed and met. An improved relationship with the other resident young person was evident as that individual’s placement was coming to an end. There have been no new admissions to test this requirement out any further. A requirement to safeguard young people within day to day care has been met, as individual risk management procedures are detailed, well known and implemented by staff. This includes the updating of risk assessments after episodes of missing. The communication passport appears up-to-date and key staff have a clear appreciation and regular contact with the relevant key staff in the young person’s placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The fourth requirement was related to the home’s policy and procedures after any episodes of missing from home. The frequency has reduced and the home acted within statutory guidance and within their own procedures for one missing and one late return incident. Currently, the independent element in the return home interview is provided by the social worker. If that input is not available, then the home has an arrangement with NYAS to complete this part of the procedure. This means that the young person can speak to someone outside of the home once they have returned from being missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has met all of the recommendations made at the last inspection. The home has introduced a new restraint monitoring report to capture their reflection of the effectiveness of any measures used. There have been no incidents of restraint to test out this new procedure. The home’s recording has been improved in line with the recommendation from the last inspection. For example, the health plan now includes all medical needs and medications and includes a clear signpost to the individual’s medical history. The home is supporting the young person in pursuing an apprenticeship in their chosen area of interest, which means they are engaging well in that pursuit.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The last recommendation from the previous inspection relates to the completion of compatibility assessments for any new admissions. While, there have not been any new admissions to test the development, the admission procedure includes the careful completion of assessments, informed by the respective placing authorities and the individual young people themselves.

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Information about this children's home

The home is provided by an independent company and is registered to provide three places for young people 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

10/11/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The recent application of a harbouring notice on a nearby property should be included in the home's location assessment. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, pg 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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

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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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