Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Blackburn with Darwen

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . Most young people continue to make good progress and are engaging well with staff at the home. Education is strongly encouraged and some young people are achieving excellent attendance and results. Some of the young people who live at the home are now enjoying increased free time in their local community. They are using their free time wisely and making positive friendships, which are encouraged by staff. Staff continue to support young people to engage in positive activities, which include various sporting and outdoor pursuits. One young person is a valued member of a local football team and trains and plays with the team on a regular basis. All young people regularly enjoy activities such as climbing and skiing. Since the last inspection, one young person has left the home and has returned to

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

his family. This was a positive outcome for him and his parent keeps in touch with staff at the home for advice and support. Another young person is due to move on from the home, as it has been identified that the placement is no longer suitable for him. The registered manager has worked closely with other professionals involved in this young person’s care to help ensure his next placement is suitable and meets his needs. The registered manager has admitted a new young person to the home who has settled well and is building positive relationships with staff and other young people. Records of the admission process demonstrate that the young person’s needs were considered at the point of assessment. However, processes for assessing risks relating to the care of the young person and necessary measures to manage these risks were not clearly recorded. A requirement has been raised in relation to this matter.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home continues to benefit from effective leadership. The registered manager is suitably experienced and demonstrates a strong focus on the well-being of young people who live at the home. The registered manager has an ongoing development plan in place, which is regularly reviewed. This means young people benefit from a constantly improving service. There have been a number of positive developments at the home since the last inspection. These include a number of environmental improvements, such as major external work to improve access to the home. A requirement made at the last inspection in relation to safeguarding has been addressed. The registered manager has reviewed the safeguarding policy and made arrangements for all staff, including the management team, to receive updated training in safeguarding. The registered manager has taken action to address recommendations made at the last inspection in relation to the monitoring of staff training, and processes for

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

ensuring that any young person who returns from an episode of being missing from home has the opportunity to meet with a representative from their placing authority. Monthly visits by an external professional continue to take place, during which standards of quality and safety are assessed. The registered manager ensures that any recommendations made by the independent visitor are addressed in a timely manner. During this inspection it was identified that an incident recently took place involving a young person, which Ofsted should have been notified about. It was established that the registered manager did not make this notification. A requirement has been raised in relation to this matter.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is located in a rural area. The home is registered to accommodate up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities. The home is owned by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

28/01/2015 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

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a) that staff— (i) 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; 03/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— (a) a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; (b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; (c) there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; (d) a child protection enquiry involving a child— (i) is instigated; or (ii) concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or (e) there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 03/03/2017

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Recommendation

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

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Recommendation

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. The Statement of Purpose is an important document in the process of care planning as it sets out the needs of children the home is set up and equipped to care for. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including quality standards,’ page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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 who 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 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

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

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Information about this inspection

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

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