Children's Home run by Blackpool Borough Council in Blackpool

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, management arrangements have changed. The long- standing registered manager has now retired, and a permanent manager has been appointed. This individual is currently on maternity leave. On her return to work, her application to register with Ofsted will be progressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

To cover this period of absence, an interim manager has been appointed and she too is in the process of registering with Ofsted. She has a level 4 registered manager’s award, and is currently studying towards a level 5 qualification. She is suitably experienced, having been a senior residential worker at the home for a number of years. Staff report that the transition arrangements have worked well for them, and a good level of continuity and consistency has been achieved for young people and their families.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a full review of the service has been undertaken. Parents and staff say that they were consulted, and as a result they had the opportunity to contribute to and shape the future of the service. Although not all report being totally happy with the outcome of the review, those spoken with during the inspection are pleased that the service is set to continue and some compromise has been reached. The anticipated changes have yet to be implemented in full, and managers will formally notify Ofsted before doing so.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A robust response to potential safeguarding concerns promotes young people’s safety and welfare. Staff remain clear about their responsibilities and duty to report any concerns. Good collaboration with partner agencies means that information is readily shared, allowing for prompt investigations to take place. This keeps young people safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to benefit from good standards of care from a committed, enthusiastic and creative staff team. High staffing levels mean that young people receive individualised care, and overall their needs are well met. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of young people’s individual support needs, and care is underpinned by individualised plans. A parent said: ‘The home is 100% brilliant. Staff are absolutely fantastic with myself and my daughter’s needs.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people thoroughly enjoy attending the home for short breaks, and one young person gave the inspector a ‘big thumbs-up’ when asked about what it is that they like. Young people participate in a range of activities and opportunities, some of which parents say they find difficult to provide at home. This broadens young people’s horizons, enables them to try new things, and affords them greater opportunities to socialise with their peers and to have fun. A recent treasure hunt was a hit, as was a food-based activity where young people helped to make their own pizzas. Swimming is also a regular feature, and the purchase of two new bicycles is allowing some young people to learn new skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service makes a positive difference to young people’s lives and the lives of their families. A parent commented: ‘I know [young person’s name] is happy, safe and well looked after.’ Another said: ‘My daughter is allowed to be herself.’ One parent reflected that they ‘wouldn’t function as a family without it.’ The high levels of satisfaction reported by parents reflect the confidence they have in the quality of the service provided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support young people to make progress relative to their starting points, needs and abilities. All have personalised targets that they are working towards. For example, young people are learning about personal space, developing their communication skills, and learning how to manage their own care needs where this is possible. Young people do make progress, and examples of this include being able to listen better to instructions, developing friendships with their peers, and improved eating patterns and bedtime routines. A strength of the service is that staff follow consistent strategies, and work together with parents and young people to bring about change. Staff praise young people and encourage their efforts. The recent addition of a ‘wow board’ allows young people and staff to celebrate achievements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Various information is posted around the home which is accessible to children. Examples include pictorial menus, rotas, welcome guides and an easy-read complaints procedure. This demonstrates that the service takes into account the needs of young people when producing information.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers continue to invest in the service. New computer systems, a ball pool, sensory equipment and a dedicated sensory room signify that young people have access to a range of facilities that they enjoy, and that help with their development. A programme of redecoration means that young people stay in a home that is well maintained.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Systems are not yet in place to ensure that Ofsted is notified of all serious incidents. A recommendation made at the last inspection is now raised as a requirement so that all those with an interest in the welfare of young people are informed, in line with the regulations. Furthermore, this will allow the regulator to monitor effectively the home’s response to significant events. External monitoring is inconsistent. The independent visitor consults with staff, parents and social workers, and also spends time with young people and observes practice in the home. This consultation informs the independent visitor’s view, and assessment of the home which is assessed to be good. However, the visitor does not periodically check on arrangements for the administration and storage of medication to ensure that these aspects are safe. Given the complex healthcare needs of some young people accessing the service, this is a shortfall. The format of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the report means that some aspects of the home’s function are only checked quarterly, and consequently the visitor does not always comment on relevant issues in a timely way. Furthermore, reports are not routinely submitted to the home or to Ofsted in a timely way. As a result, external monitoring systems do not provide good and consistent oversight.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments vary in quality. Some contain detailed information, providing clear guidance to staff. However, in respect of one young person, key information is missing to help staff understand and manage a health concern that could pose a safety risk. Another young person’s plan would benefit from clearer information about how a health condition impacts on them at night, and what staff need to do to help with this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have yet to ensure that individual work identified for two young people on staying safe is completed, following incidents of concern. Not completing this work means that young people are not being equipped with skills and strategies they may find helpful, and this does not promote their safety and welfare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some aspects of record keeping require improvement. Inefficient information systems mean that data is not always clear or accessible. For example, staff training records do not accurately reflect what training has been completed and when. In addition, although the inspector found that systems in place for managing and recording the administration of prescribed medication are robust and safe, an audit of non-prescribed medication is necessary to ensure that the recording of this is equally clear. Finally, some restraint records do not include full details of the people involved, or the length of the interventions that have taken place. A requirement is raised to improve internal monitoring systems so that managers review and address the shortfalls identified.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements and two recommendations are raised to secure further improvement.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a local authority. It provides a short-break care service for 10 children and young people who have disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

25/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

(2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, that recording systems be made more robust in the following areas: the storage and administration of non-prescribed medication; staff training and the use of restraint. 16/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the registered person notifies HMCI and each other relevant person without delay of all events outlined in this regulation. (Regulation 40(4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)) 16/09/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. In particular, ensure that specific health concerns are reviewed and risk assessed, and that where follow-up work is identified following potential safeguarding incidents, this is carried out with young people where required. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  Ensure that any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in the home’s care. In particular, ensure that periodic checks are made on the arrangements for the storage and administration of medication,

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Recommendations

that the report format enables the visitor to comment on all relevant matters on each visit, and that reports are received by the home and Ofsted in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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 whom 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

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 looked after children 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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