Children's home run by Care Afloat Ltd in West Lancashire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the 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

Young people continue to make very good progress and have positive experiences as a result of living at the home. Since the last full inspection, one young person has moved back to their family, following a period of respite care, and one young person has moved into the home. Young people are experiencing stability and security in a calm and nurturing environment in which they receive consistent, sensitive care from staff who understand their specific emotional needs. They are making significant progress in developing social skills, managing their emotions and engaging in education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are clear and encouraging messages from staff to ensure that all three young people engage and do well in their respective educational placements. One young person is studying and preparing for her exams. Staff continue to work closely and proactively with education staff on a daily basis. This provides continuity for the young people and ensures that they receive consistent messages at the home and at school. Staff act as positive corporate parents and have high aspirations for the young people. Young people’s attendance and enthusiasm to learn are extremely good.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Strong relationships between young people and staff and young people themselves contribute to their personal and social development. The stability of the staff team promotes consistent boundaries. This enables young people to have some security through knowing what is expected of them. As a result, the number of behavioural incidents is minimal. Restraint has not been used, and praise and reward feature far more than sanctions in the records kept at the home. There are no concerns about young people being absent from the home, yet staff demonstrate well the procedures that they would follow should this be the case. The home is very settled, and young people are extremely positive about their care and the staff who provide this to them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported to express their views, wishes and feelings on all aspects of their care experience, including meal choices and activity options. This participation in planning, what they do and where they go makes them feel valued. They respond very well and are making responsible decisions for themselves. Young people told the inspector:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 ‘I am very settled in the home, I really enjoy living here and the staff are amazing.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 ‘I am doing well in school. I have no complaints about the home or the staff and everyone gets on well with each other.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 ‘The home is a safe place to live. Staff talk to us about being safe. I am safe and feel safe in the home.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding concerns are well managed, and have been reported and referred as required. External agencies charged with protecting young people have been involved, and have contributed to young people’s plans to address and minimise risk. Detailed records are kept in chronological order of the actions that the registered manager and staff have taken to keep young people safe and away from vulnerable situations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have individual risk assessments and a placement plan providing clarity in relation to causes of behaviour, de-escalation techniques and agreed interventions. Detailed records show young people contributing in a debriefing session following any incident. This provides young people with an opportunity to reflect on their behaviour and to quickly resolve disputes following any incident involving other young people. Placement plans are regularly reviewed and reflect the plan of care for young people, as requested by their placing authority.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working is excellent. The registered manager, deputy and staff sustain effective relationships with a range of external agencies to ensure that young people benefit from the best care possible. Social workers are full of praise for the management team and staff, and speak highly of the care that they provide. Social workers told the inspector:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 ‘Staff have a really good knowledge of the young people and their needs. It is a lovely home, always welcoming, and staff regularly update me on events.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 ‘The staff are always well prepared for meetings, encourage young people in their reviews and advocate well for the young people.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 ‘I think the home is absolutely fabulous. Staff put a lot of effort into supporting young people and preparing them well for their future.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff help young people to develop skills and knowledge to support them into adulthood. Learning these skills has enabled young people to shop, cook, plan meals and manage self-care. They learn about the wider community and how to look for employment, enrol in further education and find housing. Young people who have previously lived at the home regularly return to chat with the staff. This shows the positive impact that the home has on young people. Staff facilitate relationships between young people and their family, provide transport and accompany young people when their family lives at a considerable distance from the home. This has led to young people having increased visits home to their family. This is helping young people to improve their relationships with people who are important to them, assessing future return home options, and strengthening young people’s self-esteem and sense of belonging.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is an effective and strong leader. She and the deputy fully support the staff team. Regular supervision, appraisal and staff training contribute to the high level of support provided to the young people. The registered manager is very child focused and expects the same from her team. She effectively challenges local authorities to provide services for young people, and is aware of all of the plans for young people and the progress that they are making.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has robust systems in place in order to check the quality of care provided at the home. Her own monthly monitoring is complemented by the detailed monthly reports of the independent person. Her six-monthly reports on the review of care clearly highlight the progress that young people make and the strengths and weaknesses of the home. The staff team addresses any shortcomings promptly and effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the last inspection, a full programme of decoration has been completed. This ensures that young people continue to be provided with a home that offers a warm, homely internal and external environment which is furnished to high standards.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations are made at this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to accommodate three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is privately owned. The home’s mission, from its statement of purpose, is: ‘To ensure that every young person is safe and free from harm. We aim to make a positive difference to the lives of young people who may have experienced significant trauma in their lives, resulting in emotional, behavioural and social difficulty.’

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/09/2016 Full Outstanding 11/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/09/2015 Full Outstanding 19/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 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

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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