Children's Home run by Lonsdale Care Limited in Lancashire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness . There have been some changes to the cohort of young people resident at the home since the last full inspection. Experiences and progress are positive in many areas. However, for some young people, incidents that occurred prior to the full inspection continue to have an impact on their experiences, progress and outcomes. Other young people made positive starts to their placement, but, ultimately, were unable to sustain their progress, and engaged in significant risk- taking behaviours resulting in their discharge to a secure facility. Going missing from home has been a persistent issue for one young person. This was identified as a very high risk at the point of placement. The home worked extremely hard with a wide range of external agencies in order to reduce and

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

minimise the risks, contributing to and working with multi-agency safety plans to help the young person remain in the placement. Some positive progress was noted, with the overall number of episodes decreasing from the level in previous placements, despite the eventual outcome being placement breakdown due to the high level of risk that the young person exposed herself to while missing. Serious incidents of self-harm have been well managed by staff, who have supported young people to access suitable medical help. When staff practice has fallen below expected levels in respect of self-harm management, this has been effectively addressed, and practice has improved. Safety planning for self-harm risks is robust and has worked well to ensure a young person’s safety. The home is currently settled, with the young people engaging well with their plans and with the staff. One young person has begun to engage in education where he

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

has previously refused, and is working hard to achieve a planned outcome of returning home. Another young person is being supported through a teenage pregnancy, has attended health appointments and is learning independence skills. The home has supported a young person to make a complaint about the provision of services and planning by their placing authority. There have been some changes to the staff team, which is now well balanced in terms of gender and skills. Though the staff team is relatively new, it continues to develop and to strengthen, with morale and management support reported to be positive. The home has positively addressed the requirements made at the last full inspection. It has strengthened communication systems with placing authorities and ensures that they are always fully informed of any incidents relating to young people. The home has gathered feedback from placing authorities which is highly

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

positive, about both its care and its communication about young people. Young people have not engaged in any sexually harmful behaviours towards each other since the last full inspection. Historically, there have been episodes of this behaviour, which have impacted on young people’s experiences and outcomes. There is evidence that key workers appropriately discuss personal issues with individuals to help address harmful or risk-taking behaviours. The home has better systems in place for ensuring that young people remain in their bedrooms after they settle for the night, and there have been no further incidents of concern in this area. The home considers any risks of sexual relationships when matching for potential placements. Young people generally have positive relationships with each other, although the highly disruptive behaviour of one young person towards the end of their placement did have an impact, with young people reporting the home to be less

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

settled during this period. Recording is generally of a good standard, with some minor areas for improvement. However, one area of greater significance is ensuring that risk assessments cover all known risks for young people, and a requirement is made to reflect this. Monitoring activity, both internal and external, is used to good effect, and the manager shows a good level of reflection about what is working, learning from incidents, looking for patterns and trends in behaviours, and determining how to further develop the home and the staff team.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It is registered to accommodate up to three young people who may be experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. Specifically this relates to ensuring that all areas of risk for a young person are recorded in their risk assessment. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(i)) 24/02/2017

p.5

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’.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors 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 that 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 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.

p.6

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 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.7