Children's home run by Lancashire County Council in Preston

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC039673 1 SC039673

p.1

Lancashire County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to six young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager was registered with Ofsted in December 2019.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged as outstanding at the last inspection in January 2020.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, Ofsted has received several notifications of significant events that have occurred in the home. Information in the notifications raised concerns regarding the management of risks to young people’s safety and well- being. Therefore, a decision was made to conduct a monitoring inspection.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A monitoring inspection was carried out. Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) government restrictions, the inspection took place using remote inspection methodology.

p.1

This monitoring visit

There have been recent concerns regarding an escalation of high-risk behaviour for two young people. It is evident that managers and staff have been quick to recognise the increasing risks and have taken action to address them.

p.1

This monitoring visit

There is a good level of multi-agency working to help ensure that young people’s safety and well-being are protected. The manager has frequently requested strategy and care planning meetings with all the relevant professionals. The manager has advocated well for young people and ensured that plans to manage increasing risks are considered and agreed by all agencies. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC039673 2 Risk management plans have been frequently updated to reflect new information and provide up-to-date guidance. However, some aspects of risk management plans could be clearer. For example, one young person’s risk management plan refers to making ‘regular’ checks on her when she is in her bedroom. Staff may interpret the term ‘regular’ in different ways and, therefore, this guidance should be more specific.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Some inconsistencies were noted in one young person’s risk management plans. These had occurred because one part of her plan had been updated and another had not. In discussion, the manager recognised this as potentially confusing for staff and made arrangements to correct the information immediately.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The record of a serious incident that recently took place lacked clear information regarding actions taken by staff leading up to the incident. Therefore, it was not possible to ascertain whether the young person’s risk management plan had been consistently followed.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager was able to demonstrate that he has identified shortfalls and areas for improvement in recording, which he is addressing. It was also confirmed during this inspection that plans to support young people have been reviewed and updated. Staff spoken with demonstrated a good understanding of the plans and the actions required from them to keep young people safe.

p.2

This monitoring visit

A requirement has been raised as a result of this inspection. Ofsted will continue to monitor the home’s progress in relation to the requirement and any further significant incidents that occur in the home.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/01/2020 Full Outstanding 11/12/2018 Full Outstanding 11/12/2017 Full Outstanding 10/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC039673 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— 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. Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i))

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff are provided with and follow clear risk management guidance at all times. 07/08/2020

p.3

Recommendations

 Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5). Specifically, individual risk assessments should cover all known risk areas and should detail the control measures and strategies in place to safeguard the young person.  Children’s care plans should reflect that they are receiving care which meets their needs and promotes their welfare, taking into account the child’s gender, religion, ethnicity, cultural and linguistic background, sexual identity, mental health, any disability, their assessed needs, previous experiences and any relevant plans. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.2) Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC039673 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Information about this inspection

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

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lancashire County Council

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: PO Box 78, County Hall, Fishergate, Preston PR1 8XJ

p.4

Inspector

Marie Cordingley, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC039673 5 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.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5