Children's home run by ABC Care and Education Ltd in Lancaster

This monitoring visit

This home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 27 June 2016. There were serious concerns about young people’s welfare and safety. The purpose of this monitoring visit is to assess the progress made by the home regarding the notice issued under 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. This relates to regulation 12, the protection of children standard of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015. At the full inspection, there were a number of serious concerns in relation to the former registered manager of the home, which led to his dismissal in April 2016. There is a suitably qualified acting manager in post, who has submitted an application to register with Ofsted. She demonstrates a real commitment towards improving the home and prioritising the needs of all young people. This visit found that suitable steps have been taken to promote the welfare and safety of young people. For example, during team meetings and supervision

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This monitoring visit

sessions, the acting manager has revisited a number of policies and procedures, including whistleblowing, child protection and the visitor’s policy. Consequently, staff are able to demonstrate a more comprehensive understanding of safeguarding procedures, including how to respond appropriately to any concerns they may have about another member of staff. There is a team support plan in place that demonstrates leaders and managers have a strong understanding of the remaining shortfalls in staff knowledge and skill in safeguarding young people and the report identifies where improvement is needed. This includes all staff completing safeguarding level 2 and information handling training. However, there are no clear timescales within the plan to ensure these improvements are achieved in a timely manner. Staff suitably follow the visitor’s policy, which means clear vetting of visitors to the home is undertaken, with identity checks being carried out before access to the

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This monitoring visit

home is permitted. A young person said that they feel safe both inside and outside the home, and they can talk to all staff should they have any worries or concerns. They also said that things have improved since the new manager started work. For example, they said that staff are now setting clear and consistent boundaries. This has increased their sense of safety and well-being. Regular team meetings and supervision sessions provide staff with the opportunity to reflect on their practice as a whole and individually. This enables them to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and to have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Staff spoken with during this visit confirm that they are receiving very good support and guidance. The acting manager is being supported by the head of care, and together they are delivering training and coaching to support staff to improve. Ofsted is satisfied that suitable steps have been taken to address the unsafe issues

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This monitoring visit

and events found at the last full inspection. Other requirements made during the last inspection will be monitored during the next full inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This home is owned by a private company. It is registered to accommodate three young people aged nine to 17 years. The home offers care to young people who have emotional and/or behavioural problems. It offers emergency, medium- and long-term placements.

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

This section sets out the actions that must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets the Care Standards Act 2000 and ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’.

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Recommendation

Staff need the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are gained, refreshed and recorded in the homes workforce plan. Specific attention should be given to the inclusion and review of the target dates for the completion of this training. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the Quality Standards, page 43 paragraph 9.12).

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home in relation to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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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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