Children's home run by ABC Care and Education Ltd in Lancaster

Assurance visit report: SC443765 1 SC443765

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It is registered to accommodate three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It offers emergency, medium- and long-term placements.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2018 and returned to her role in November 2019 following an extended period of leave from January 2019. She is an experienced manager and is currently working towards her level 5 qualification.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 16 October 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:  children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assurance visit report: SC443765 2

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

Staff treat children and young people with dignity and respect. They understand their unique personalities and talents. Because of this, children and young people feel acceptance and enjoy very trusting and meaningful relationships with staff.

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The care of children

Children and young people are making remarkable progress. They say that they feel staff really care for them and that staff listen to what they have to say. This makes them feel valued and that their views and wishes count.

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The care of children

Children and young people have enjoyed spending time with each other and staff during the pandemic lockdown. Staff made sure that children and young people had plenty of indoor and outdoor games and equipment. This has kept them active and well occupied when they have had to remain on the premises.

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The care of children

Throughout this period, staff have encouraged children and young people to be physically active and lead healthy lifestyles. Children and young people talked enthusiastically about their regular walks and bicycle rides. They also enjoyed being involved with staff in meal preparation and cooking using fresh produce. Because of this, two young people have achieved significant excess weight loss.

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The care of children

Children and young people’s education and learning have been keenly promoted during this period by staff. Staff have provided support with home tuition and online learning while schools and colleges have been closed. They have also been proactive in keeping children and young people aware and up to date with current issues both in Britain and abroad.

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The care of children

Children and young people have been able to keep in touch with their social workers and family and friends electronically, with both video and telephone calls. As government restrictions have eased, staff have again been able to successfully facilitate visits and meetings. This also included a farewell barbeque in the garden for the young person that has since moved on from the home.

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The safety of children

Children and young people’s care planning ensures that staff have comprehensive information and guidance to support children and young people and keep them safe. Staff share a clear understanding of children and young people’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. They know how to mitigate these to promote children and young people’s safety.

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The safety of children

Staff have made sure that children and young people have heard and understood the government guidance and restrictions imposed to keep them safe during the Assurance visit report: SC443765 3 COVID-19 pandemic. These have been frequently and sensitively discussed so that children and young people understand the restrictions and do not feel alarmed by them.

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The safety of children

Staff are fully trained in behaviour management and the range of strategies and techniques that support positive behaviour. Consequently, the use of physical intervention and sanctions is rare. Comprehensive records are maintained of any incidents that occur, and these are promptly reviewed by the manager to ensure that any measures taken are appropriate and proportionate.

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The safety of children

The positive nature of the relationships that exist between children, young people and staff have a strong influence on children and young people’s behaviour. Children and young people understand and feel supported by the home’s rules and boundaries and respect these. During this year, there have not been any occasions when children and young people have gone missing from the home.

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The safety of children

The support children and young people receive from staff has significantly helped reduce previous risk-taking behaviours. For one young person, this has been demonstrated by a significant reduction in self-harm incidents and substance misuse.

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The safety of children

Staff keep up to date with the most recent government guidance. They ensure that safe practices are maintained and that visitors to the home are also encouraged to observe these. These include handwashing on arrival, the availability of antibacterial products to visitors and making sure social distancing is observed. Children and young people understand the need for the current restrictions and are fully aware of the measures to take to lessen their likelihood of contracting the virus.

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The safety of children

Staff recruitment and selection processes are robust. In addition to following safer recruitment procedures, potential employees are assessed as they complete one shift shadowing staff. Children and young people’s views are sought following this process to ensure that they feel safe and secure with the new staff member that may be appointed.

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The safety of children

Children and young people are confident that they have a voice in this home. They understand how to make a complaint and understand how it will be dealt with. Children and young people said that at present there is nothing they could think of that they would wish to complain about.

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Leaders and managers

The home benefits from strong leadership and management. The manager, with the support of the home’s senior management team, has ensured that government restrictions and advice have been understood and followed by all staff, children and young people. This, and positive staff and management support, this has greatly assisted children and young people, who have coped well with the lockdown period during this pandemic. Assurance visit report: SC443765 4 The home works productively with partner agencies and professionals. Those professionals external to the home consistently report communication with the home to be positive. The manager is a good advocate for children and young people. She shows strength in her leadership and is not afraid to challenge others to ensure children and young people’s voices are heard and their needs met.

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Leaders and managers

Staff have benefited from regular supervision, staff meetings and internal and external training opportunities during this period. For one young person, this meant that staff could progress his therapeutic support during the absence of his qualified therapist.

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Leaders and managers

Managers recognise the importance of ensuring that new staff develop and gain knowledge and experience following completion of their initial induction. Although not a current concern in this home, new and existing staff were given scenarios to work through to rehearse and prepare their response for events such as children and young people going missing from home.

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Leaders and managers

Staff say they feel well supported in their roles and particularly during this pandemic. Senior managers have regularly provided practical assistance such as shopping and delivering food to the home and have made sure staff feel safe. Staff believe that they have worked well together and become stronger as a team because of this.

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Leaders and managers

For some staff, accommodation was provided for them to be able to continue working in the home, avoiding their own family household being put at any risk. Because of this, children and young people have witnessed, and appreciate, the commitment of staff and their managers.

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Leaders and managers

External monitoring and reporting continued throughout this period, with visits to the home being conducted safely by the home’s independent person. These reports provided Ofsted with a clear account of activity in the home and reassurance that scrutiny measures remained high.

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Leaders and managers

Requirements from the last inspection in October 2019 have been met. No further requirements or recommendations are made on this occasion.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: ABC Care and Education Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: International House, 61 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3HZ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Kennedy Assurance visit report: SC443765 5 Registered manager: Jenna Treeby

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Inspector

Gillian Walters, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC443765 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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