Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report children's home: 1244283 1 Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Ltd Interim 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 three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This is the home’s second inspection following registration in January 2017. None of the young people who were living here at the last inspection have moved on, and there have been no new admissions. The two young people living at this home continue to make excellent progress. They thrive, and the staff provide them with stability and encouragement in a therapeutic environment.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are as committed as ever and continue to provide an environment that is filled with positivity. The staff have a very warm and nurturing approach to ensure that the young people reach their maximum potential with support and continuous guidance. The young people respond positively to the homely atmosphere and have excellent relationships with the staff and each other.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people’s achievements and awards continue to be well presented and are clearly evident in the home. The young people and the staff celebrate together with enthusiasm. There is a real sense of togetherness in the home. One young person told Inspection report children's home: 1244283 2 the inspector, ‘Everything is really good here. I have learned so much and I am better prepared than ever before.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are attending school or employment. Links between the staff and teachers and employers are positive, helping to ensure that young people can achieve their educational or career potential. One young person is a regular attendee at school and the other young person is actively seeking full-time employment or training, and currently has a part-time job within a local authority. Considering the young people’s previous educational experiences, both have made significant progress, which will be of great benefit to them in their futures.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people fully understand their current and future plans. They engage in their reviews and key-working sessions. One young person has spent time away from the home in the organisation’s independence flat and has been assessed as competent to face the challenges of adult life. One young person’s contact with their family has been increased and this contributes to her future plans of returning to live at home. Both young people are active in their individual interests, and they have clear aspirations for their future. They have enjoyed holidays both abroad and within the United Kingdom.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has many positive examples of feedback recorded by professionals visiting the home. This demonstrates clearly the work being undertaken with the young people and acknowledges the progress they have made. For example:

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

‘Staff are fully supportive of the young person’s care plan and wish to work hard to ensure that there is a smooth transition in place for her into semi-independence when the time comes. In all honesty, if it was possible, I would be advocating for her to stay at the home post-18 due to how positive the placement has been for her.’ (Independent reviewing officer)

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

‘This home has been brilliant for my young person and I can’t speak highly enough of the staff for all the support they have offered her. My young person has made considerable progress since moving into this home. She has even been abroad, something this time last year we could never have imagined.’ (Social worker)

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

‘The young person has very good relationships with her staff and this is her first experience in residential care. The home is very good at keeping me informed, plan is working really well with mum, staff are working with the young person and hopefully rehab back home to mum for her future.’ (Social worker)

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the last inspection, there have been two incidents when a young person has been missing from the home. Staff responded promptly and deployed the necessary strategies and the young person on each occasion returned safely back to the home. There is no concerning behaviour with any of the young people and physical interventions have never been used. Staff understand the importance of using positive relationships with the young people to defuse any potential unwanted behaviours. Positive reinforcement and reflective practice is used with the young people and sanctions are not used. As a result, the young people experience a sense of belonging.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safe in the home. The young people are supported to manage risk in Inspection report children's home: 1244283 3 accordance with their age, understanding and ability and in consultation with the social worker and their parents and carers. Since the last inspection, the young people have demonstrated trust which has enabled them to increase their free time in the community. This has been fully risk-assessed. The young people understand their responsibilities while they are away from the home and they regularly keep in touch with the staff, knowing that support is there for them if needed. There are no safeguarding concerns with any of the young people. This is because both young people have engaged and took on messages from professional agencies and staff. As a result, the young people’s previous high-risk safeguarding concerns have now reduced to low risk.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff told the inspector that they receive good support from the manager and their colleagues and that they enjoy building positive relationships with the young people. Staff know the young people well and they understand the young people’s previous, current and future needs. The manager and staff are committed to making a difference in key areas of the young people’s lives. The home is very settled, and from the point of living in the home the young people have made significant improvement in their lives.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Internal and external monitoring is thorough and includes the views of parents, professionals and young people. The monitoring is effective and demonstrates the challenges and the progress of the young people during the recent months.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has a very good awareness of the strengths of the service and is passionate about maintaining high levels of care of the young people. He is proactive and keeps his staff up to date with current work practices, guidance and regulations. The manager and his staff team are effective in working in partnership with external agencies, and they ensure that the young people receive the services necessary to support their individual needs.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations are made at the inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 1244283 4

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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 differences 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

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

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’.

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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: 1244283 5 Inspection report children's home: 1244283 6 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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