Children's Home run by Lytham Care Limited in Knowsley

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children with emotional and/or behavioural needs.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home was registered in June 2020. There is a registered manager in post. She registered with Ofsted in June 2020.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: Not previously inspected

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not previously inspected

p.1

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).

p.1

Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

p.1

Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

p.1

Information about this visit

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

p.1

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.

p.1

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. Assurance visit report: 2585541 2

p.1

The care of children

Children live in a warm and nurturing environment. This is helping children feel secure and settled. Children have trusted relationships with staff. Both children told the inspector that they like living at the home. One child told the inspector that if she cannot go home she wants to live at this home. Observations of children with staff were also very positive.

p.2

The care of children

Children are supported to keep in touch with their families and friends. One child’s social worker explained to the inspector that the staff have been instrumental in one child re-establishing contact with her family. This is important for the child because the child could potentially return to her mother’s care.

p.2

The care of children

Children attend school. School staff describe both children as making excellent progress both emotionally and academically. School staff are positive about the communication from the staff at the home. This means that staff are promoting children’s education.

p.2

The care of children

The registered manager ensures that external professionals are involved with the children if this is necessary. This is in relation to cannabis misuse.

p.2

The safety of children

The registered manager and staff understand the children’s presenting risks. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of risk and how to manage risk. Risk assessments are thorough. They identify all known risks and include clear strategies for staff to manage and reduce risk. Staff demonstrate that they follow children’s risk assessments and missing-from-home management plans.

p.2

The safety of children

There have been two incidents of physical restraint. While these incidents are necessary to keep children and staff safe the recording of one incident does not demonstrate that this was managed in line with regulation. For example, the child involved was offered a debrief seven days after the incident. This means that the child has not had the opportunity to talk about the incident in the relevant time frame. A requirement is made to reflect this shortfall.

p.2

The safety of children

The provider could not demonstrate that they consistently use safe recruitment processes. There are gaps in the provider obtaining reference checks that address any safeguarding and disciplinary issues. A requirement is made to reflect this shortfall.

p.2

Leaders and managers

There is a registered manager in post. She is suitably qualified and experienced. She is child focused and knows the children well.

p.2

Leaders and managers

While the registered manager demonstrates that she reviews and evaluates children’s risk assessments and behaviour management plans she does not record Assurance visit report: 2585541 3 this in these documents. This means that the registered manager does not have a record of her review and evaluation. This is important to identify any triggers to help reduce risk and improve children’s behaviour. A requirement is made to reflect this shortfall.

p.2

Leaders and managers

There have been some disagreements within the staff team. The registered manager is proactive, and she addressed this in a team meeting and the responsible individual also attended. Since this time the staff team has settled. Staff spoken to were positive about the registered manager and the improvements that have been made. There continue to be some issues regarding staff working consistently and the registered manager has put plans in place to address this.

p.3

Leaders and managers

There are gaps in staff training. This includes refresher training in safeguarding. The manager has addressed this with individual staff, although gaps remain. Therefore, a requirement is made to reflect this shortfall.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff receive frequent supervision. Supervision records demonstrate that the registered manager addresses any shortfalls in practice. This helps the registered manager make improvements in the care that children receive from staff.

p.3

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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.3

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.3

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.3

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(h)) 11 March 2021 Assurance visit report: 2585541 4 This is particularly in relation to all staff receiving relevant and up-to-date training to meet children’s needs. The registered manager needs to ensure that she records her review and evaluation in children’s plans.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person may only employ an individual to work at the children’s home

p.4

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.4

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.4

Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

p.4

Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purpose of the work that the individual is to perform; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

p.4

Requirement Due date

This is particularly in relation to reference checks. The provider needs to ensure that these checks address any safeguarding and disciplinary issues. 11 March 2021

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

p.4

Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

p.4

Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— 11 March 2021 Assurance visit report: 2585541 5 the name of the child;

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.5

Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

p.5

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.5

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

Paragraph (3) does not apply in relation to restraint that is planned or provided for as a matter of routine in the child’s EHC plan or statement of special educational needs. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c) (4)) Assurance visit report: 2585541 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 400 Longmoor Lane, Liverpool L9 9DB

p.6

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Pamela Constance

p.6

Inspectors

Catherine Fargin, Social Care Inspector Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2585541 7 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.6

Inspectors

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 .

p.7

Inspectors

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 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.7

Inspectors

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

p.7

Inspectors

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

p.7