Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Blackpool

Inspection report children‟s home: SC363398 1 SC363398 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

This home provides care and accommodation for up to seven children or young people who require care, and who may have a range of learning, emotional and/or physical needs.

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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 sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from highly individualised care, which is planned in line with their needs and wishes. This supports their positive progress and promotes their well-being. Young people are happy living in the home and enjoy positive relationships with staff and each other. Parents and external professionals report high levels of satisfaction with the care provided. A parent said, „I cannot fault the care. I couldn‟t be happier with the way [X] is looked after.‟ A social worker also commented, „The staff are extremely positive and encourage young people to achieve their potential.‟ Young people continue to make good progress in many areas. For example, they are increasing in independence, becoming more social and gaining valuable daily living skills. Young people are encouraged to engage in fun and fulfilling activities and, as a result, are growing in confidence. Inspection report children‟s home: SC363398 2

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of education and ensure that young people receive the support that they require to engage and achieve. One young person has recently faced some difficulties at school and, as a result, has changed education provision. The registered manager worked well with external professionals to ensure that this young person‟s learning was supported at home during his transition period. The registered manager and staff continue to safeguard young people effectively. Staff have good understanding of risks to individual young people and the actions that they must take to keep them safe. Records of significant incidents show a clear decrease in incidents of challenging behaviour. This demonstrates that, over time, young people have been supported to develop safer and more appropriate behaviours, due to positive and consistent support. Incidents where staff are required to physically intervene are minimal. There are clear

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

records for the small number that do occur. However, debriefs for both staff and young people following incidents of physical intervention are inconsistent. This matter should be addressed to help ensure that staff are encouraged to reflect on such incidents and that young people are enabled to express their views. Due to the nature of their needs, some young people require constant support and supervision. In addition, there are circumstances where young people‟s freedom of movement or liberty may be restricted in order to protect them from harm. It is recommended that, in such circumstances, multi-agency discussion and agreement is clearly recorded and that the young person‟s care plan contains clear information about planned restrictions. Where relevant, consideration of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards legislation should be evidenced. The home continues to be well led. The registered manager works effectively with

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

external professionals to ensure that young people receive appropriate care and support. The registered manager responds appropriately to any incidents of concern and ensures that the appropriate agencies are notified. There are processes in place to enable the registered manager to monitor standards of safety and quality and identify areas for development. This means that young people benefit from a constantly improving service.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/06/2018 Full Good 15/11/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 26/04/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/02/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children‟s home: SC363398 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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 person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out— how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children‟s home; and the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home; within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)— has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(1)(a)(b)(3)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 22/03/2019

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Recommendations

 In some cases, such as in children‟s homes caring for children with complex care needs, restraint may be necessary as a consequence of a child‟s impairment or disability. Details about planned and agreed approaches to restraint or restraint techniques to be applied in the day-to-day routine of the child must be included in their EHC plan, statement of special educational needs or within their care plans. This could include, for example the use of a device, such as outlined in paragraph 9.46. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 47, paragraph 9.43)  The home should work in partnership with relevant people as appropriate to ensure that each child is provided with support (appropriate to their age and understanding) to communicate their views, wishes and feelings and participate as fully as possible in all aspects of their care planning and daily care. This may

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Recommendations

include the use of and support to use communication aids, equipment and/or any Inspection report children‟s home: SC363398 4 necessary language support. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 22, paragraph 4.6)

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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

Marie Cordingley, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC363398 5 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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