Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC440309 1 SC440309

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Lancashire County Council

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 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 May 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged as requires improvement at the last inspection in July 2019. Since the last inspection, Ofsted has received several notifications relating to significant events that have occurred in the home. Information in the notifications raised concerns regarding the management of risks to one young person’s safety and well-being. Therefore, a decision was made to conduct a monitoring inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Due to the government guidelines in place with regard to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the inspection took place using remote inspection methodology.

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This monitoring visit

There have been recent concerns regarding the escalation of a young person’s high- risk behaviours. The registered manager has been quick to recognise these risks and has taken appropriate actions to safeguard the young person.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has collaborated effectively with health professionals to devise and implement strategies to support the young person’s well-being and to help keep him safe. The manager has kept these strategies under review and requested care planning meetings with relevant professionals to ensure that plans to manage increasing risks are considered and agreed by all agencies.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is child centred and is a passionate advocate for young people. The manager has been quick to challenge other professionals and to escalate his Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC440309 2 concerns to senior managers to ensure that the young person has access to the support he requires.

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This monitoring visit

The young person receives a high level of supervision and support from a consistent staff team. This has enabled the young person to build strong and trusting relationships with staff. One health professional said, ‘[Young person’s name] is being supported by people who know him and understand him well. They are attuned to [young person’s name]’s moods and behaviours.’

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated following significant events. However, some risk assessments contained conflicting information. For example, one risk assessment contained two different instructions for staff on the timing of night- time welfare checks on the young person. This guidance is confusing for staff and does not support a consistent response. The registered manager acknowledged the inaccuracies in the documents and made the required amendments immediately.

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This monitoring visit

Some risk assessments failed to detail the very specific safety plans that were in place and being used by staff to safeguard the young person. For example, prior to going on a community activity, staff closely monitor the young person’s mood and seek permission from a manager before leaving the building. These steps were not recorded in the risk assessment. The registered manager addressed this shortfall during the monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted is satisfied with the actions the provider has taken to safeguard the young person, which includes not allowing further admissions to the home at present. Ofsted will continue to monitor the home’s progress in relation to the requirement that has been raised and any further significant incidents that occur in the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 30/07/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/01/2019 Full Outstanding 09/11/2017 Full Outstanding 30/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC440309 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 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))

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Requirement Due date

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

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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. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC440309 4

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Lancashire County Council

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Children's home details

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

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Inspector

Sophie Thomson, social care inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC440309 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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