Children's Home run by Lonsdale Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1274089 1

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Lonsdale Care 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 operated by a private provider. It is registered for up to four young people who may have emotional, behavioural and/or learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since December 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was completed off site. The visit was instigated due to a regulation 40 notification received by the regulator. The safeguarding notification related to a serious incident of self-harm. Information provided to the regulator also raised concerns about the management of this incident and of the actions taken by staff following the event. Recommendations from the previous inspection were not examined during this visit.

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This monitoring visit

In relation to the incident which triggered this visit, staff were found to have responded quickly and effectively. This ensured the young person’s safety. However, staff do not have clear guidance or procedures for dealing with instances of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts or self-harm that are individualised to young people. Staff were inconsistent in their responses when asked about procedures for managing similar unforeseen events. This compromises staff’s abilities to respond appropriately to incidents.

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This monitoring visit

The team have not received up-to-date training appropriate to young people’s self- harming behaviours. This means that their capacity to respond to and manage such incidents is not informed by recent research and guidance. Because of this, staff do not have the correct skills to ensure young people’s safety during times of crisis.

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments are updated following any serious or significant events. Risk levels are appropriate and take historical and current information into consideration. Young Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1274089 2 people are aware of their risks and feel supported by those in the home to reduce them.

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This monitoring visit

Following incidents, staff monitor young people and support them to discuss their concerns or worries. On one occasion, a young person refused to attend health services. Staff did not seek advice and guidance from qualified professionals, for example by using the NHS 111 service. This means that there has been a delay in young people receiving assessments for both their physical and mental health.

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This monitoring visit

Care planning for young people is not robust. The home incorporates plans for health and education into one singular care plan. This plan does not include all the necessary information from which to form the basis of young people’s care. For example, young people’s mental needs are not clearly documented. Consequently, those working with young people do not have all the necessary information to provide agreed, individualised needs-assessed care.

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This monitoring visit

Young people have positive experiences of moving in to the home. Leaders and managers take the time to get to know and understand young people prior to their admission. Robust transition planning ensures that staff are able to provide a safe and supportive environment that meets young people’s needs.

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This monitoring visit

Young people benefit from the consistency of having a dedicated and experienced staff team that recognises the need for stability and positive relationships. Team meeting minutes include clear key-working responsibilities and evidence a child- centred approach to care. Because of this, young people have positive relationships with staff and are able to discuss their problems or worries.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/01/2020 Full Outstanding 22/11/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1274089 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(2)(b)(iv)) 26 February 2021

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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

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(v)) 26 February 2021

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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—

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 26 February 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1274089 4 ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(b)(2)(c))

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Recommendations

 Staff should have sufficient understanding of relevant health services, including the functions of the designated nurse for looked-after children in their area. They should support children to navigate these services, advocating on their behalf where necessary and appropriate. (Guide to the Children’s homes regulations including quality standards’, 2015, page 34, paragraph 7.8) Specifically, access appropriate healthcare services to seek advice following incidents that may affect children’s physical, emotional and/or mental health.

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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.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 34 Broadacre, Caton, Lancaster, Lancashire LA2 9NH

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Inspector

Natalie Bennett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1274089 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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