Children's home run by Cherish Children’s Care Limited in Fylde

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been a change of young people living at the home. This decision to review and end individual placements was made due to the increased safeguarding concerns and level of need of the previous young people. Agreed safeguarding measures developed in conjunction with other professionals had been fully implemented and consistently followed. However, concerns regarding missing-from-home and involvement with people who may pose a risk of harm to the young people remained. The manager and staff worked in partnership with the respective placing authorities and police to minimise risk, while planning transitions on to alternative accommodation in a supportive manner to reduce young people’s anxiety. Since then, the manager has reviewed the area locality assessment to reflect the trends and potential safeguarding concerns within the area. As a result, the home’s statement of purpose has also been reviewed, to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

confirm the aims and objectives of the service. However, there is conflicting information with regards to whether the home provides for short-term placements. This does not provide an accurate picture for whom the service is intended. During the inspection, the manager confirmed that the home does not provide short-term placements, and is taking steps to address the incorrect information.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three young people have moved into the home in the past two months. Comprehensive pre-admission assessments are in place, with consideration and matching of young people to identify support needs and group dynamics. It also takes into account staffing levels, and staff skills and experience to provide care to meet young people’s diverse needs. There is a core staff team in place, and the use of agency staffing is not required. This means that young people benefit from support from a staff team that they know and that provides them with continuity of care. One social worker commented, ‘Staff are knowledgeable about the young person I support. His risk assessments and his care plan demonstrate the support that they provide, and this is reflected within the weekly updates. I have seen some progress since he has moved here and I am hopeful this will continue. The staff advocate on his behalf and address any shortfalls within services well. I

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

appreciate their open and honest dialogue to help this young person to receive support he requires from all agencies involved with his care.’ Young people have detailed behaviour management plans in place to help them to address any negative behaviours. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of these, and demonstrate a consistent approach to help young people manage their anger and behaviours which may have a negative impact on their progress. These plans are reviewed regularly to make sure that they address current and emerging patterns of behaviour. Consequences for negative behaviours are detailed clearly, with young people supported to understand when they have been implemented and the reasons why. Young people are also encouraged to record their views following a consequence, and helped to develop strategies to manage these well. Good behaviour is equally recognised and rewarded, which means that young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people are able to earn additional spending money and activities. Staff make sure that the young people receive constructive praise and rewards when they try to make changes to their behaviours. One young person said, ‘I like living here. Staff listen to me and help me when I get upset. I find it hard sometimes to stop being angry and occasionally I need to be held when I am getting upset. But when this happens, the staff talk to me and help me to calm down.’ Staff receive training in de-escalating behaviours. Restraint is only used when there is a risk of harm to the young person or others. In the event of this happening, detailed records are maintained, which include comments from the young person. These are shared with the placing authority social worker and monitored by the manager to assess whether there are any trends or triggers to behaviours, and to enable her to review the support plans effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work hard to engage young people in education, working in partnership with other professionals, offering transport to school and advocating for them when there is a delay in appropriate education being sourced. The manager has developed good links with alternative schooling provisions for young people who find it difficult to attend mainstream education. The home has a computer and an education room for young people who have tutors provided while appropriate school placements are agreed. Staff promote structure to young people who are excluded from school by sourcing on-line education resources and taking them on educational activities within the community. This helps maintain routines for the young people, and supports their transition back into education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home had substantial damage from the previous young people living there. A planned programme of redecoration and repair has been undertaken. This makes the home feel more homely and inviting for the young people currently living there. There are further plans to refurbish the kitchen, lounge and one bedroom. The bedroom is currently not being used and will be completed prior to another young person being admitted. The other young people have chosen their own décor and personalised their rooms. This contributes to them feeling that the house is their home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are detailed procedures in place which are followed if a young person is missing from the home. Staff know the local area well and make every attempt to locate the young people to promote their safety and well-being. On return to the home, young people are welcomed back and able to speak with an independent person to share any concerns. This enables the home to take action if the young person has a specific problem within the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff say that they feel supported in their work, and that they have regular supervision, both on a formal and an informal basis. They attend regular training and development. A recent training programme regarding autistic spectrum disorders is being provided to all staff to enable them to have a better understanding of these. This will help them develop their practice and support that they provide to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has taken action to address the shortfalls from the previous inspection, demonstrating a commitment to continue to develop the service. A detailed development plan is in place which identifies how the home plans to further develop their service over the next twelve months. This is kept under review by the manager to enable her and the staff to continue to work in accordance with the plan to deliver the support to young people living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private social care company. It is registered to provide care for up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/07/2016 Full Good 25/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/07/2015 Full Good 23/10/2014 Full Adequate

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 persons must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the statement of purpose covers all matters as identified in Schedule 1 of the children’s homes regulations. In particular, this in with regards to the age range, number and gender of children for whom it is intended that accommodation is to be provided. (Regulation 16, Schedule 1 (3)(b)) 21/04/2017

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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 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 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

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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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