Setting in Fylde

Unique reference number SC435001 Inspector Caroline Jones Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person address

Clifton Drive North LYTHAM ST. ANNES Lancashire FY8 2PP Responsible individual Caroline Jane Mathers Registered manager POST VACANT Date of last inspection 23/06/2014 Inspection date 18/02/2015

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Registered person address

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 declined in effectiveness .

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This inspection

Young people's progress, experiences and outcomes have deteriorated since the last inspection. There have been significant increases in young people missing from home, incidents requiring police involvement, complaints and misuse of substances. This has contributed to the decline in the overall effectiveness of this service to young people.

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This inspection

Previously incidents of young people missing from home were very rare, however, with the admission of new young people to the home these have increased. Young people are responded to positively on their return and staff support them. Agreed protocols are in place with the local police and a multi-agency risk management meeting has been convened to develop a strategy and action plan for managing the risks faced by young people.

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This inspection

There are new young people living at the home who present with challenging behaviours and staff work together to help them settle into their new environment. Young people have also moved out of the home since the last inspection and have done so in a planned manner. Positive involvement and consultation with these young people has ensured their views were foremost in the placement planning process.

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This inspection

Young people’s education packages are built around their needs and they say they enjoy the education programme on offer. Despite this, young people's attendance at school remains a challenge as they refuse to go at times. Staff continue to encourage and support their engagement and this is beginning to take effect with young people. For example, young people are participating in some activities with staff and peers from other homes in the organisation, these include; go-karting, shopping, gymnasium and bowling. This helps young people to settle and build relationships with staff.

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This inspection

Young people identify a staff member who they feel comfortable with and report positive relationships. They also identify negative relationships with a particular member of staff. This is currently being investigated by senior management, Ofsted await an outcome to this matter. Young people confirm that they understand the complaints process and feel confident to raise any dissatisfaction. Regular young people's meetings ensure they have a voice in the daily running of the home.

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This inspection

There is a newly formed team in place that continues to settle, but requires support of staff from the other homes in the organisation. Staff turnover has increased since the last inspection, therefore, consistency and competency of staffing has not been achieved. While staff confirm that they feel well supported by the acting manager, there has been one occasion where new staff have been placed in charge of the home whilst on probation. New staff have also not received quality fortnightly supervision in line with the organisation's policy. Consequently, their competence in caring for young people is not assured. Moreover, they do not have sufficient opportunity to reflect on their practice and develop their skills to ensure that they are caring for young people effectively.

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This inspection

Management arrangements have also changed since the last inspection. The deputy manager has been promoted to manager and he took up this position in November 2014. He also has management responsibility for two other homes in the organisation. Ofsted are currently processing his application for registration, although there have been some delays in Ofsted receiving a suitably completed application. Moreover, the deputy manager position has not been replaced to support the new manager and to ensure clear, effective management arrangements in his absence.

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This inspection

The Statement of Purpose does not reflect the staffing arrangements agreed previously to have a deputy manager in place. Additionally, notifications of serious events have not been sent to the relevant bodies to ensure information is shared in the best interests of young people.

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This inspection

The organisation is not adhering to the principles of safer recruitment practice. For example, insufficient investigation and scrutiny of an applicant’s history and application form is evident. Risk assessments are not in place to support the decision to employ this individual. Additionally, declared health issues have not been sufficiently scrutinised. This practice does not ensure that only the most suitable individuals are employed to work in the home.

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This inspection

Ofsted have received both a concern and a complaint about the home prior to the interim inspection. Consequently, this interim inspection has considered matters relating to the staffing at the home. Weak management of the home and a number of regulatory shortfalls have contributed to a judgement of declined in effectiveness for this home.

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home is one of a number of homes operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/06/2014 Full good 13/01/2014 Interim good progress 07/08/2013 Full good 27/03/2013 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 that a person is not employed to work at the children's home unless that person is fit to work at the home (Regulation 26(1)(a)(3)) * 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that there is at all times, having regard to; the size of the children’s home, the statement of purpose, and the number and needs of the children accommodated there; and the need to safeguard and promote the health and welfare of the children in the home, a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons working at the children's home (Regulation 25(1)(a)(b)) * 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that if any event listed in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify Her Majesty's Chief Inspector (Regulation 30(1)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

5 (2001) ensure that the Statement of Purpose is reviewed. In particular it reflects the arrangements for staffing 31/03/2015 including, the deputy manager. (Regulation 5(a)).

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Reg. Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice

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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 that staff have access to support and advice, and are provided with regular supervision; specifically staff on probation (NMS 19.4)  ensure that clear arrangements are in place to ensure the appropriate management of the home when the manager is absent. (NMS 21)

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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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