Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Blackpool

Inspection report children’s home: 2508153 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

This is a privately run children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to two children and young people.

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Information about this children’s home

The organisation has an integrated therapy service available to the children and young people.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager commenced his role at the home on 25 February 2019. He is experienced and has achieved his level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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Inspection date: 21 January 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2508153 2

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children 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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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Suitable action has been taken to address the recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people have chosen the decor for their bedrooms and have personalised their bedrooms in their own style. The home is warm and welcoming. One young person referred to the home as their ‘my home’, which reflects that they feel settled and secure.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The team has developed independence plans for the young people. The plans address a wide range of skills that the young people need to become independent, for example budgeting, staying safe, health and well-being, and future planning. One young person moved to semi-independent accommodation towards the end of last year. The staff worked consistently with the young person to help them obtain the skills they needed to live independently.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has moved into the home. The registered manager and staff team considered all information relating to risk-taking behaviour and young people’s specific needs, to determine if the young people could live together safely. A detailed impact risk assessment is in place which demonstrates this process. A planned move took place, including visits for tea as part of the young person’s transition to the home. This has been managed effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people have very good relationships with the staff team and their individual keyworkers. The young people respond well to boundary setting from the team and have said they feel safe living at the home. The young people are comfortable talking to staff about any anxieties they may have; for example, one young person has struggled with family relationships. The staff team worked hard to support the young person to focus on their education, reduce missing-from-home incidents and feel settled.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have enjoyed a holiday abroad to Spain with staff. Staff have captured some memories from the holiday, and the photographs have been put together in a photo album for the young people to keep. Inspection report children’s home: 2508153 3 Both young people are in education on a reduced timetable to meet their current needs and ability. One young person’s education, health and care plan is not on file. There is no record of the plan having been completed prior to the young person being admitted to the home. The registered manager has raised this shortfall with the social worker, and at several meetings. However, this has not been escalated by the manager as a concern to senior managers; such an action would ensure that the plan is reviewed at the earliest opportunity to meet the needs of the young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New staff have joined the team since the last inspection and they will register to achieve the level 3 qualification within regulatory timescales. The registered manager has organised training for the staff team, specific to young people’s risk- taking behaviour and mental health. This has helped in securing the team’s knowledge and understanding of the young people’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s individual risk assessments do not include all risk-taking behaviour and strategies agreed to manage these risks. The registered manager discussed the team’s management and understanding of the risks; however, he has not identified this shortfall during his monitoring and reviewing of plans. This means staff do not have clear written guidance on how to safely manage young people’s specific risk- taking behaviour. However, the manager is a strong advocate for each child and is proactive in ensuring that the children are safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has worked effectively with other professionals, during the transitions of young people leaving the home and moving into the home. The registered manager is also confident in challenging other professionals if he feels that a decision being made for a young person is not in their best interest. Inspection report children’s home: 2508153 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/06/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2508153 5

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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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans.

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, challenge the placing authority when it fails to provide statutory information within reasonable timescales. 03/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, individual risk assessments and risk reduction plans should include all behaviours and agreed management strategies relevant to the young person. 03/03/2020 Inspection report children’s home: 2508153 6

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: 2508153 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector(s)

Cheryl Field, Social Care Inspector Claire Deary, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report children’s home: 2508153 8 to 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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