Children's Home run by Frances House Ltd in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC403462 1 SC403462

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Frances House Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It is registered to care for up to five children with emotional and/or behavioural needs.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged as inadequate at the last full inspection. Following the inspection, we issued two compliance notices under regulations 12 and 13 along with three requirements under regulations 5, 14 and 24. At a monitoring inspection completed on 28 January 2020, we found that the provider had taken sufficient action to comply with the two notices.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of COVID-19 (coronavirus) government guidance restrictions, a second full inspection could not be carried out in accordance with timescales.

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This monitoring visit

This off-site monitoring visit reviewed the action taken by the provider to meet the three requirements made as a result of the inadequate judgement and the measures in place to safeguard young people.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager is proactive in challenging the authorities and escalating matters further where there is need to progress aspects of care and support affecting young people. For example, outstanding personal education plans (PEPs) and return home interviews are now on track.

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This monitoring visit

Impact risk assessments are much improved. Due consideration is now given to all potential risks affecting young people in placement including any new admissions. This results in more cohesive plans to meet young people’s needs and keep them safe from harm. There is also enhanced management oversight, which involves reviewing any significant safeguarding incidents on a monthly basis. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC403462 2 While there have been safeguarding incidents since the previous monitoring visit that we have been notified of, the provider has responded appropriately and put suitable measures in place to prevent a recurrence. Subsequent to incidents, young people have engaged well in direct work sessions with staff who are geared to help them manage their risk-taking behaviours. Risk assessments are kept up to date as incidents occur, and there is good oversight by the management team in ensuring

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This monitoring visit

that strategies to keep young people safe are implemented.

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This monitoring visit

During COVID-19, the registered manager and staff have been proactive in making sure that young people maintain structure and routine in the day, continuing with educational tasks where possible and providing opportunities for them to engage in activities such as crafts, baking, pamper days and movie nights. This, along with regular young people’s meetings, is contributing to keeping them settled and happy. Social workers’ feedback for the young people is positive with no reported safeguarding concerns.

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This monitoring visit

The use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the home has been put on hold. A decision will be made in due course by the provider in terms of whether it is necessary.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has continued to take steps to recruit and increase the number of suitably qualified staff working in the home. Two staff have recently completed their level 3 training, and an additional two who already have the relevant level 3 qualification have been recruited. This means that the provider is better placed to deliver more consistent care and support to meet the needs of children by staff who are relevantly skilled.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager ensures that new recruits receive all mandatory training as part of their induction. This includes safeguarding to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to signs of danger and keep the children safe. There is also a good range of in-house training in place that all staff are expected to attend on an annual basis in areas such as self harm, gang and county lines and child sexual exploitation.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has continued with the refurbishment programme to improve the standard of the premises making them more modern and homelier, including the lounge areas.

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This monitoring visit

The documentation and information provided demonstrate that the organisation has been proactive and committed in addressing the shortfalls in practice including recommendations arising from the regulation 44 reports. A full evaluation of the progress in addressing the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection will be reviewed once the COVID-19 government restrictions are lifted. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC403462 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/04/2020 Full 10/12/2019 Full Inadequate 17/04/2018 Full Good 20/09/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC403462 4

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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

24: Monitoring and surveillance 26/01/2020

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  Where children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or are not on a school roll for some other reason, the registered person and staff must work closely with the placing authority so that the child is supported and enabled to resume full-time education as soon as possible. In the interim, the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Frances House Ltd Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC403462 5 Registered provider address: 73 Albert Road, Colne, Lancashire BB8 0BP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Pamela Forrester

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Inspectors

Michael Charnley, social care inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC403462 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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