Children's Home run by Union House (NW) Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2538285 1

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Union House NW Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children who have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home was registered in November 2019 and has been operational since February 2020. The home has not yet had a post-registration inspection due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. There is a registered manager in post.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place due to concerns about safeguarding practice in the home arising from notifications. The visit covered a broad range of areas due to the home not yet having had its post-registration full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

In relation to the notifications, it was found that one young person had put themselves at risk of child sexual exploitation and drug and alcohol misuse. These incidents could potentially have been averted had proactive measures been put in place and had staff followed the young person’s risk assessments. These shortfalls have resulted in requirements being made under regulation 12. Positively, managers have used these incidents to improve risk management. They have undertaken ‘lessons learned’ exercises to develop better practice. Staff spoken to during the inspection were aware of young people’s risks and were confident that they could keep them safe.

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This monitoring visit

Young people have many risk assessments for different areas of risk. Although staff were able to identify each risk correctly, not all risk assessments had been updated to reflect recent incidents.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are good at de-escalating behaviour. There is a traffic-light system in place for young people to let staff know how they are feeling and whether they need support. Only one low-level physical intervention has been used since the home became Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2538285 2 operational. Although there is no concern about the use of the measure, the records do not fully meet the requirements of regulation 35. A requirement is made for the home to address this shortfall.

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This monitoring visit

Young people rarely go missing from home. When they do, the staff are proactive in trying to locate and return them. They keep in contact with family members and the police.

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This monitoring visit

Social workers spoken to as part of this inspection were highly positive about the care provided to young people. They feel confident that young people are safe and well looked after. Young people spoken to were also happy with the home. They said that they feel safe and that they have good relationships with staff. Young people make good progress from their starting points. They settle in quickly and build trusting relationships.

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This monitoring visit

Admission matching considerations are thorough. Each young person is considered individually for their match to a potential new admission. This results in young people having positive relationships with each other. The register of admissions and discharges requires additional information to be recorded.

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This monitoring visit

Young people reported that staff are always available to them and give them time to talk about any worries or concerns they have. A review of records confirmed that young people discuss personal and sensitive issues with staff as part of their key work.

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This monitoring visit

Young people’s individual interests and skills are identified at an early stage. They are supported to pursue their chosen activities. For example, one young person has singing lessons, another young person was sourced a Saturday job in a beauty salon.

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This monitoring visit

Managers show strength in their identification and engagement with external agencies. They also develop positive relationships with young people’s families. This ensures that young people receive good all-round support to meet their individual needs.

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This monitoring visit

Managers understand the home’s strengths and weaknesses. They are prepared to learn from mistakes. They are committed to providing children with care and opportunities to get the best outcomes.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

This is the home’s first inspection since registration. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2538285 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 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—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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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

(Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)) 24/07/2020

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration; 24/07/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2538285 4 details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (‘the user’), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

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’)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

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.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 37 (1)(2)(a)) 24/07/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2538285 5

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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 registration.

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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 address: 82 Blackburn Road, Accrington, Lancashire BB5 1LL

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Inspector

Charlie Bamber, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2538285 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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