Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The registered manager demonstrates commitment to maintaining good standards of care and accommodation. She builds constructive links with local services to enhance opportunities for children. Friends of the service have recently provided funding for new swings, giving children improved opportunities for outdoor play. A stable and consistent staff team knows children well and understands their care plans, ensuring that care meets children’s individual needs effectively. A parent recently said that she was very happy with the respite provision for her daughter and, after having some initial concerns around communication that this was immediately addressed and is now excellent. Staff are dedicated to seeking out children’s wishes and feelings and maximising their input into decision-making. The service has introduced a new picture

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

exchange system to aid communication with children. This improves opportunities for children who use forms of non-verbal communication to share their views. Children choose their bedrooms, meals, activities and the children and staff with whom they spend time. Regular feedback from parents and children influences practice in the home; parents say that their contributions are valued and welcomed. Feedback from all sources describes excellent relationships between staff and children. A staff member said, ‘Everybody enjoys their work. They love the company of the children.’ A parent said of staff that they are professional, supportive and communicative. Staff have high expectations for children. Innovative and carefully monitored individual goals for children’s short-break stays result in children making progress. The new assistant manager highlighted that a particular child’s personal skills have ‘greatly improved’ since the child began having short-break stays at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff promote activities and opportunities for children, and children’s preferences guide the activities that they participate in, with activities tailored to maximise children’s engagement and to meet their specific needs. The home promotes positive behaviour through encouragement and praise. There is no use of sanction. The use of physical intervention is occasional and is only used to promote safety. When used, it is effectively recorded with timely management oversight. Staff address children’s safety and welfare proactively. The formation of comprehensive care plans and risk assessments is in conjunction with parents, professionals and children wherever possible. These effectively guide care and promote children’s safety. There have been no complaints, safeguarding concerns, allegations or children going missing since the previous inspection. The home has received a number of compliments. One student commented on the ‘great

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

experience and being made to feel as one of the team’.

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides residential short-break care for up to six young people who have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. The home is run by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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: 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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