Children's Home run by Family Care Associates Limited in Sefton

Inspection report children’s home: 2496251 1 Registered provider: Family Care Associates Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private company. The home provides care and support for up to four young people who have a learning disability and/or a physical disability.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since November 2018.

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Inspection date: 23 January 2020

Date of last inspection: 26 September 2019

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Inspection date: 23 January 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2496251 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 improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to provide good care and support to the young people living here. Positive action has been taken to address the shortfalls from the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved management oversight means that Ofsted now receives copies of the independent person’s reports and the revised statement of purpose. Reports by the independent person are insightful and are helping the registered manager to bring about change.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a very good understanding of each young person’s diverse needs. Some of the young people’s records have not been reviewed for some time and may contain information that is no longer relevant. This is a recording issue and does not impact on the good-quality care and support that each young person receives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recent safeguarding concern has not been investigated well. The initial concern was poorly recorded and the designated safeguarding lead for the local authority has not been notified. This is because the organisation has not consistently followed the home’s policies. However, immediate action was taken to safeguard the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have regular opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills through relevant training opportunities. The new deputy is working enthusiastically with the associated therapist to introduce a new behaviour support system. This is still in its infancy but has been well received by staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people remain happy and settled in the home. One young person responded with a resounding yes when asked if they were happy here. Young people enjoy positive relationships with staff. It is abundantly clear that they are happy from their smiles and changes in body language when a favourite member of staff arrives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s dignity is enhanced because staff have resourced different neckerchiefs for them to use which are more age-appropriate. Young people’s language and communication skills are improving, because of their access to new technology and the staff consistently modelling the correct use of speech.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are much more able to make their individual wishes and feelings known to staff. This is helping them to make more choices about what they want to do. One young person made it very clear that they did not want fish and chips for tea and wanted pasta instead. This happened. Inspection report children’s home: 2496251 3 The registered manager and staff are strong advocates for young people. They are supporting one young person’s move into adult services effectively. The registered manager is working well with other professionals and family members to ensure that this is the right move for the young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff said that they feel well supported and are encouraged to introduce new ideas and ways of working. A member of staff said, ‘I love it here. It is a great house to work in.’ Inspection report children’s home: 2496251 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2496251 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

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii)) 20/03/2020

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Recommendations

 All children’s case records (regulation 36) must be kept up to date and stored securely whilst they remain in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3). In particular, the records should be reviewed on a regular basis.

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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: 2496251 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Family Care Associates Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 60 School Lane, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancashire PR5 6QE

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Inspector

Chris Scully, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2496251 7 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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