Children's home run by Care Afloat Ltd in West Lancashire

Unique reference number SC006010 Inspector Anthony Kyem Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Care Afloat Ltd. Registered person address 158-160 Birkrig Digmoor Parade SKELMERSDALE Lancashire WN8 9HP Responsible individual Michael Fletcher Registered manager Sharon Angeline Mangan Date of last inspection 07/10/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 26/02/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one new admission to the home. Young people who live at the home currently, are making slow but steady progress. Staff work hard to engage young people and they make slow, but positive inroads. Staff report, 'We need to make him feel comfortable and safe. We just keep chipping away. He's a typical teenager who is finding his way in life…We're working on his independence.'

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This inspection

Staff promote contact for young people. Consequently, young people maintain their close relationships with the people who are most important to them. Young people say they want to live independently and staff promote and encourage their independence. Young people are allowed to take appropriate risks to promote their growth and natural development. Eligible care leavers have pathway plans and the home works closely with their personal advisors to promote their readiness for independence. Consequently, young people benefit from good support to prepare them for adulthood.

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This inspection

Young people say, 'When I lived in my old house I was in my own back yard and I could just walk out. If I could go home to (home area) I would do seriously, I mean it. I've been there for nine years. I know everyone there.'

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This inspection

There have been no complaints since the previous inspection. Restraint, if used at all, is only ever used to keep young people safe and protect them from harm. Staff promote young people's positive behaviour and they implement the home's rules and boundaries fairly to promote the well-being of young people. Staff help young people to self regulate their own behaviour. Consequently, they learn to manage their feelings, behaviours and emotions and exercise greater self-control. Staff apply effective behaviour management strategies and are consistent in their approach. Young people are kept safe and are not at risk of harm. 3 of 6 Young people who go missing or are absent without authority benefit from an effective response to promote their safe return. The home maintains effective partnerships with the police and other professional agencies to promote the safety of young people. The manager is looking into the possibility of young people having

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This inspection

overnight stays with their friends. If these arrangements are suitable this will reduce the number of missing episodes.. There have only been a small number of unauthorised absences.

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This inspection

The home has made good progress since the previous inspection. The manager has addressed the requirement and a previous recommendation made. An asbestos safety survey report has now been completed. The outcome of the survey is that the risk of asbestos within the home is low. However, there are recommendations made for the home to complete an asbestos management plan and to review this periodically. Consequently, a recommendation is made in respect of this issue. The home's development plan has also been reviewed to promote the continuing development and improvement of the service. A previous recommendation made in respect of personal education plans, is no longer applicable, as young people in placement are now of school leaving age.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager exercises strong and effective leadership of the home's staff and operation. The staff routinely monitor the standard and quality of young people's care. They work energetically and enthusiastically to improve outcomes for young people. The home is consistently maintained to good quality standards for young people. Young people benefit from a warm, homely and comfortable environment.

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This inspection

A tour of the premises identified issues with the home's water pressure and temperature. For example, the water pressure is insufficient and this means that bathroom taps run slowly. Where the water temperate is too hot and this poses a potential risk of scalding. Radiators within the home were warm and these may require flushing or bleeding. The manager has reported these issues, however, no work has yet been completed. A requirement and two recommendations are made, in respect of these issues. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This private children’s home provides residential care and accommodation for young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. This home is registered for one young person.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/10/2014 Full adequate 17/03/2014 Interim good progress 26/04/2013 Full adequate 13/03/2013 Interim good 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) shall ensure that all parts of the home to which young people have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their safety. This relates specifically to the hot water temperature (Regulation 23 (a)) 16/03/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. This relates specifically to ensuring taps have sufficient water pressure and radiators and central heating are in 5 of 6 good working order (NMS 10.3)  ensure risk assessments of the whole children’s home environment are carried out, to identify any potential sources of harm to the children are recorded in writing and regularly reviewed. This relates specifically to the development and timely review of an asbestos risk management plan. (NMS 10.8) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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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