Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report children’s home: 2504082 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 young people.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides a service for young people who would benefit from having a placement in a small, single-gender, residential setting.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in February 2019. This interim inspection is part of the new registration requirements.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 5 September 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report children’s home: 2504082 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

The recommendations made at the last inspection have been actioned effectively. The registered manager has strengthened the quality of information within the home’s pre-admission impact assessment. However, as no children have moved into the home since the last inspection, this has yet to be implemented. The quality of information within the missing-from-home risk management plan has improved and has proved to be a useful tool when children have been reported missing from the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the children have made some progress in education. Although some children still struggle, staff continue to work with them to engage them in learning. Children are educated at the children’s home with tutors attending from an education agency. The manager has challenged the placing authority numerous times around the poor education arrangements, the lack of an identified provision and the significant delay in the review of the education, health and care plan. Steps to rectify this by the placing authority were put in place at a review held at the home during the inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Reports and care plans for children are thorough, highlighting the individual’s successes and areas for continued development. Children contribute to all aspects of their care. They attend care planning meetings and play an active role in decision- making.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children who live at the home currently are stable and secure. The children are all making good progress. They enjoy positive relationships with the staff and each other. Staff know the children well and provide care that meets their individual needs. One child described the home as ‘sound’. When asked why, he went on to say, ‘The staff; I go to education and then I have free time. Staff take me to the bus station and then I meet my girlfriend and friends.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s emotional needs are a priority. Children are supported to attend therapy. Staff have a good understanding of the impact that therapy has on children and how best to assist them. This therapeutic support helps the children to become more open about their past and present experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are supported to maintain contact with their families and carers in accordance with their care plans. Staff clearly understand the importance of contact, and support contact arrangements both at and outside of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding issues are managed well. Staff demonstrate good knowledge of the child sexual exploitation and going missing from home policies. They know how to Inspection report children’s home: 2504082 3 implement the policies. One child who was previously at risk of criminal exploitation has reduced the number of times that he goes missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are now able to sustain positive behaviour, and they have learned coping strategies for when they are angry or distressed. The positive relationships between the staff and the children mean that staff are able to identify triggers for negative behaviours, and they act swiftly to de-escalate situations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff have a strong bond and a good working relationship. The manager is ensuring that staff supervision is held regularly and in accordance with the home’s supervision policy. This means that staff are afforded opportunities to reflect on their practice and their performance is fully addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The environment is homely and children are able to personalise their rooms. There is a large garden where the home has chickens and vegetable beds to grow its own produce. Inspection report children’s home: 2504082 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2504082 5

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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: 2504082 6

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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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Children’s home details

Inspector: Elaine Clare, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2504082 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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Children’s home details

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Children’s home details

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Children’s home details

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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