Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 1 Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s statement of purpose describes the service as this, ‘Our ethos of care is one of immediate acceptance, irrespective of presentation. It is flexible and responsive determined by the unique circumstances of the individual at the time, without detracting from the need for children to experience a safe warm, nurturing, stable and consistent living environment, however short or long their stay with us.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Not applicable

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Enforcement action since last inspection

This is the home’s first inspection Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 2

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people make progress in all areas of their lives. From the start of their placement in the home, they have made positive progress. The staff work hard to ensure that the young people have positive experiences and achieve to the best of their abilities.  Relationships between staff and the young people are positive, supportive and fun. Young people get along well with each other and enjoy the feel of a normal family environment.  Young people take part in a wide range of fun and stimulating activities. They identify pursuits that they would like to try with staff, and have opportunities to do new things which they enjoy.  Regular therapy sessions contribute to the direct work with the young people. They are confident to talk about issues that are important to them. This enables young people to reflect on their past experiences and modify their behaviour.  Young people understand and accept the clear boundaries and expectations set

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Key findings from this inspection

by the staff. Restraint has not taken place as the current young people adhere to the rules, and as a result the home is very settled.  The staff understand the importance of education and support the young people with their homework, encourage their spelling and listen to them read.  Young people get to see family and other people who are important to them. Staff demonstrate a detailed understanding of the needs of each young person and fully support them to have positive contact.  There are no concerns about young people going missing or being subject to child sexual exploitation. Staff are trained to deal with any safeguarding concerns including radicalisation.  The home is managed well. The leadership team is qualified and the new staff are within timescales to complete their relevant qualifications. The team is led by an experienced registered manager who has aspirations and a detailed knowledge of every aspect of the home’s operation. He is committed to

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Key findings from this inspection

achieving high standards of care for the young people.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development

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Key findings from this inspection

 This is the home’s first inspection following registration in November 2016. Young people’s plans need to be individualised, and evidence outcomes and risk strategies need recording.  Feedback received from young people, parents and professionals needs to be analysed in order to identify areas for improvement.  External training attended by the registered manager needs to be evidenced Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 3 and shared with the staff team to improve their individual development.

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Inspection judgement

Not applicable Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 4

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Recommendations

 Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their risk assessments and placement plan, agreed between the home and their placing authority, must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day-to-day basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 41, paragraph 9.5)  Ensure a record of supervision is kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.3)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young people have good and trusting relationships with the staff. The staff recognise the young people’s differences and support their individual needs. This contributes to the young people feeling valued and cared for. Young people are settled and comfortable in the home. Individually, young people said,

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

 ‘It’s not like my previous placements [foster care] and at first I was unsure about living in a children’s home. The staff are very supportive and I have settled in quickly and really like living in the home. We all get on well with each other and it’s the respect we all show each other, this makes sure none of us are unfriendly and we all do get on well together.’  ‘I had a look around before I moved in and the staff were kind and gave me information about the home. It’s really good here and I like it a lot. I want to stay until I’m 18. There’s always plenty of things to do and I have no issues.’ Observations of interactions throughout the inspection showed the respect that all who live and work in the home have for each other. Conversations were educational, supportive, friendly and fun. Staff demonstrate a very good knowledge of young people’s individual needs and how they are supporting the young people to meet these needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people told the inspector that they feel that they have and are making progress since they moved into the home. They feel that they are benefitting from group living, experiencing new things and being encouraged and supported to maintain their interests and hobbies. For example, a young person’s connections with his church group continues and another young person is exploring his options for future career development in the armed forces. Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 5 Young people receive all the necessary help and support that they need to optimise their physical health needs. Meals are freshly cooked and nutritious. Young people are registered with local health services and do attend their appointments. Young people are encouraged to have an active lifestyle. This includes participating in fun and stimulating activities, such as fell walking, swimming, educational day trips and active sportive

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

games in the garden. The home has a separate fully-equipped gym facility, which young people do use, under supervision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are provided with the support to meet their emotional, social and psychological needs. The organisation has its own qualified professionals who provide therapeutic interventions to each young person’s specific need. This ensures that young people are supported in line with their agreed plan of care from the point of accommodation. Staff keep records of the work completed and discuss the young people’s progress with the visiting therapist each week. Staff demonstrate well the progress young people have made. However, the young people’s plans lack evidence of this progress and the outcomes that they have achieved. For example, in some young people’s plans the overuse of the word ‘ongoing’ lacks clarity and does not evidence achievements already made by the young people. Also, the ‘my care plan’ for young people is generic rather than being individualised.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people continued their education from their previous placements. Their attendance in school is excellent and one young person has completed all his exams and anticipates good grades when the results come out. Staff work well in partnership with school and career development services. This ensures that young people achieve educationally and identify and explore their future work options. Agreements recorded within young people’s personal education plans are being followed and monitored for progress. These include supporting young people with homework, encouraging their spelling and listening to them read.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young people attend and participate in regular house meetings. They complete an individual agenda before each meeting to ensure that they have their opinions heard. The meetings are used for the young people to discuss activities, menus and any issues or requests for the house. The staff also use these meetings to consult with the young people and to see if they are worried about anything. The registered manager comments on the records of the meetings, which shows the young people that their views, wishes and feelings are listened to and acted upon.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Consultation with others is good. Returned questionnaires from parents, social workers and visiting professionals are positive but show varying degrees of satisfaction with the services the home provides. Better analyses of this information would enable feedback to be more constructive and identify any areas of improvement in order to further develop the standards of care provided in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A visiting social worker commented positively about the home, the support that staff provide and how well she is kept informed of events of her young person. She says, ‘Staff have a very good attitude, they are solution-focused and do not see problems, they address the young people’s issues really well. I am always kept Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 6 informed and provided with regular updates of my young person. The home is just like a family home, it does not feel like a children’s home and credit to the manager and staff, they make it so welcoming for the young people.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s behaviour has improved and they are aware of their own progress. They develop a greater understanding of growing up due to the strong and realistic boundaries in the home. They enjoy receiving rewards and have opportunities to negotiate their own individualised incentives. This enables them to have a greater sense of self-determination and greater investment in their social behaviour and presentation when out in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff fully support arrangements for young people to see and remain in contact with family members and other people who are important to them. They provide transport, supervise contacts and work very closely with young people, their families and previous carers. Staff demonstrate a detailed understanding of the needs of young people in relation to keeping in touch with their families and friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The positive approach and sound relationships staff have with the young people and those people important in young people’s lives significantly contribute to a home that is very settled.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people told the inspector that they feel safe and protected by the manager and the staff in the home. They receive care and support from a competent and skilled staff team. Staff know the actual and potential risks posed to young people and take the necessary steps to support and protect them. Staff take a very proactive and robust approach in relation to any concerns relating to sexual exploitation, self-harm or radicalisation. There is close scrutiny agreed with the young people around internet safety. This educates and prevents young people from being vulnerable to social media sites and inappropriate content.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff understand their roles and responsibilities, they are trained in safeguarding and know how to make referrals to appropriate agencies if they have concerns. Staff training includes self-harm, child sexual exploitation, bullying, internet safety and radicalisation.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

During the inspection, it was identified that written risk assessments for young people, while in place, do not have recorded strategies for staff to follow. In particular, strategies for responding to risks scored as high, such as self-harm and safeguarding, were not in place for the young people. As a result, a recommendation is made. This is because the staff clearly know and demonstrate the actual and potential risks to young people, but specific risk strategies would help clarify their responses and provide consistency in their approach should a young person place themselves at risk.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The home has accommodated three young people since its registration in November 2016. One young person’s placement broke down because of concerns for his safety and the lack of engagement and commitment in the home. The registered manager responds Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 7 appropriately when it becomes clear that young people are incompatible and not making progress. When young people have to move on for safeguarding reasons, the manager and staff support young people to do so in a planned way. This period has been reflected upon, and, as a result, more robust procedures are now in place for considering referrals and compatibility issues before placements are made in the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The current levels of young people being absent or missing from the home are zero, and staff know how to respond should an incident take place where young people leave the home without authorisation. Restraint has not been used and records show that sanctions are appropriate and agreed with the young people. As the home is settled, there has only been one sanction imposed, and as the young person responded appropriately, this sanction was earned back by the young person and stopped. Incentives are used effectively to encourage the young people’s behaviour, and young people are responding well to the incentives in place.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Health and safety checks are completed and recorded, and are up to date. An area risk assessment has been completed, which outlines potential risks in the area and any actions needed to reduce the risks. All medication is stored securely, and administered and recorded appropriately. All of the staff have completed medication training. These arrangements further safeguard the young people. The home is detached. It is decorated and furnished to a high standard and there are no outstanding repairs or hazards inside the home. The gardens are looked after and fruit trees have been planted. Young people enjoy the outside space provided, which includes a selection of games and provides them with privacy.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The registered manager has been involved in the recruitment of new staff prior to the home’s registration. Staff files provide evidence that recruitment and selection procedures for new staff coming to work at the home are robust and comprehensive. The procedures prevent unsuitable adults from being recruited or being able to harm young people.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

All visitors to the home are required to show their identity and sign in, and are not left unsupervised with the young people. The fire evacuation procedure and assembly point is explained on arrival. These procedures ensure that young people, staff and visitors are safe in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has worked in residential settings for approximately 10 years. In this time he has acquired qualifications and experience, and his progression to registered manager has involved a process of continued professional development. This has been from residential worker through to team leader positions and deputy manager level. He is ambitious, energetic and passionate about improving the lives of young people and the development of his staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is supported by three team leaders who are all on target to complete their level 5 qualification. The management team and staff have external Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 8 professional support from the organisation’s psychotherapist. Together they provide young people with a supportive structure in a home that is designed well and caters for their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff confirm that they feel supported by the registered manager and that they receive regular supervision and attend team meetings. This contributes to their personal development and provides opportunities for the team to reflect on its practices. Records of supervision kept in the home provide evidence of staff receiving support from the management team in line with regulations. However, the supervision records for the registered manager are kept with the responsible individual, and are not available in the home. As a result, a recommendation is made. This is to ensure that a record of supervision is kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team and staff have the needs and welfare of young people at the centre of everything that they do at the home. The registered manager leads a committed team, whose members want the very best for each of the young people. The staff continuously strive to break down the boundaries that young people face, whether this is in education, their physical or emotional health, or social relationships. The registered manager challenges other agencies when information is not available and escalates their concerns when necessary. Staff are tireless in identifying suitable activities and other resources that will enhance the lives of young people. Young people’s prospects and experiences are improved as a result of living at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a training programme in place for the staff. All staff prior to registration of the home had an effective induction period, now successfully completed, and can access ongoing support on shift from the staff and the management team. In addition, the registered manager identifies additional training to help the staff to meet the needs of the young people. He monitors the staff’s attendance and competencies at training. The staff are equipped to provide a good level of care to the young people. Staff benefit further from the information the registered manager brings back from external courses and conferences, although there is no evidence in the home showing how this is achieved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager carefully monitors and reviews the young people’s care plans and ensures that staff undertake any actions required. All staff spoken with have a good understanding of the young people’s past history and current and future needs. They are ambitious for the young people and take pride in providing good-quality care. Improvements to the monthly reports by the independent person now capture the views of the young people, staff and external professionals. Any actions in these reports are rectified by the registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home operates in line with its statement of purpose. This detailed document reflects the current legislation and guidance. The young people’s guide is informative. This information helps the current resident young people and prospective young people to know what to expect when they come to live in the home. Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 9

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 49 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire FY3 9DG

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Inspector

Mark Kersh, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1240572 11 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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