Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC035428 Inspector Jackie Line Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Lancashire County Council Registered person address PO Box 78 County Hall Fishergate Preston PR1 8XJ Responsible individual Brendan Francis Lee Registered manager Karen Margaret Banks Date of last inspection 18/12/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 27/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

The purpose of this visit is to assess the progress made since the last inspection in December 2014, and how this has impacted on the quality of care and outcomes for young people.

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This inspection

Parents and professionals continue to demonstrate high levels of confidence in staff, and in the quality of care afforded to young people. For example, one parent comments they ‘never have any complaint’, and a social worker says: ‘The staff go above and beyond to meet the needs of young people, and I only receive positive feedback from parents whose children access the service’. As a result, staff at the home maintain very good standards of care, and young people continue to flourish within an environment which offers them support, stability, and fun.

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This inspection

Young people attend the service for planned short breaks, and they continue to benefit greatly from their positive experiences at the home. Young people are afforded a range of social opportunities, and consequently develop friendships with their peers. A parent reports: ‘Respite provides my daughter with her social life’.

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This inspection

Individually tailored care plans are in place, and this ensures that young people are cared for consistently according to their personal needs. Young people’s achievements are celebrated, and staff have a good overview of individual progress and areas for development. This means young people benefit from encouragement and support which helps them to reach their full potential.

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This inspection

Some young people are making the transition to adulthood, and staff contribute well to this process. Effective working relationships with partner agencies means that future support services are well informed about young people’s needs. This ensures care planning is robust, and transition arrangements are as smooth as possible. 3 of 5 The one requirement raised at the last inspection has been addressed. Casual staff now receive supervision, and they will have an annual review of their performance. As a result, all staff have their progress and performance formally reviewed to aid their professional development. Furthermore, systems are being developed to ensure that young people’s views inform the appraisal process, and this demonstrates improvements in practice in this area.

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This inspection

The management of the home is consistent and effective, and there have been some improvements to the internal monitoring of records between inspections. As a result risk assessments have been reviewed, and they now provide clear and up to date information. Furthermore, records are routinely signed and dated. This demonstrates that when areas are identified for development, action is taken and this drives improvement forward.

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This inspection

One complaint has been investigated, and concluded between inspections. Because the Registered Manager does not keep a clear record in the home, the inspector sought external verification to ensure the complaints process had been completed correctly. Without accurate records the regulator and the independent visitor cannot easily review events, and this does not fully promote the safety and welfare of young people.

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This inspection

Arrangements for the recording and administration of medication are safe. An area identified for improvement is in the handling of medication, particularly when this is received at the home from a parent, via school. In respect of one young person it is not clear what medication staff can expect to receive when he arrives for a short break, or how and where this has been stored prior to arriving at the home. This increases the risk of discrepancies, and does represent wholly robust practice.

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This inspection

Two requirements have been made at this inspection, to further improve practice. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This is a children's home operated by a local authority. The service offers short- term care breaks for up to four children and young people with physical disabilities, young people with learning disabilities and young people with sensory impairment.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/12/2014 Full good 28/01/2014 Interim good progress 15/08/2013 Full outstanding 16/01/2013 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 Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person makes suitable arrangements for the recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medications received into the children’s home, specifically that there is a review of arrangements for receiving medications into the home from parents via school (regulation 21(1)) 30/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a written record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response and the outcome of the investigation (regulation 24(5)). 30/04/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections 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

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The 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 relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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