Children's Home run by Bay View Child Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC416318 1 SC416318

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Bay View Child Care

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to four young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is overseen by an acting manager, who is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was conducted remotely. It was instigated because information provided within notifications to the regulator raised concerns for young people’s safety. These concerns related to an incident in which a physical altercation had occurred between young people. Further concerns were raised due to an increase in restrictive physical interventions since the last inspection.

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This monitoring visit

In relation to the incident that prompted this visit, it was found that young people generally have positive interactions with each other in the home. Unfortunately, on one occasion, a serious assault occurred which resulted in a young person receiving medical treatment. This was an isolated incident. Comprehensive strategies are in place to prevent altercations between young people and these are regularly effective. Since this incident, extra safety measures have been implemented to minimise this risk.

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This monitoring visit

Following the serious incident, young people have been helped to understand the impact of their behaviour on others and the consequences of their actions. For example, one young person completed an online anti-bullying course and was awarded a certificate. Other young people engaged in mediation. Staff have also supported young people to apologise and repair relationships with their peers.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have high standards in relation to how young people conduct themselves in the home. They frequently challenge undesirable behaviours, such as bad language and potential bullying, while maintaining nurturing and positive relationships. They do Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC416318 2 this by offering young people attention, one-to-one support and by encouraging positive coping strategies.

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This monitoring visit

Restrictive physical intervention is used as a last resort when alternative strategies are exhausted. On these occasions, staff follow young people’s agreed support plans. Following incidents, staff provide young people with reassurance and re- engage them positively with staff and in the home’s routines. The manager uses effective evaluation and reflection to learn from these incidents. As such, the use of physical intervention continues to reduce.

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments and support plans are robust. They are individual to young people and focus on preventative strategies and techniques. However, post-incident procedures for responding to instances of self-harm do not provide effective guidance for staff. For example, staff do not have the correct information to care for or assess a burn. This has the potential to cause further injury or hinder the young person’s physical recovery. A requirement has been made to address this.

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This monitoring visit

Young people are frequently given the opportunity to make a complaint or speak to an independent person. When formal complaints are made, young people are listened to, acknowledged and helped. The manager responds well to complaints. He provides children with detailed, child-friendly responses and ensures young people’s issues are resolved. This means that young people are listened to, that their views are taken seriously and that their happiness is important.

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This monitoring visit

Young people have secure, positive and trusting relationships with staff. One young person said, ‘Staff make me happy; they help me with everything and they protect me.’ This young person described the staff team as his ‘family’.

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This monitoring visit

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has made it difficult for young people to complete activities they enjoy. Because of this, staff have had to be creative to engage young people. For instance, young people participated a reverse advent calendar event before Christmas where they gathered items for a local food bank. Staff also arranged a ‘mastermind’ style quiz night in which all young people contributed. At the request of young people, there are further plans for staff to hold a murder mystery themed evening.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have access to a good training programme. The manager ensures that staff training remains up to date and supports his team to develop. Because of this, children are cared for by staff who have the appropriate skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Furthermore, staff feel valued and supported to progress and develop. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC416318 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/10/2019 Full Good 19/07/2018 Full Outstanding 25/09/2017 Full Good 21/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC416318 4

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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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that plans in place to support children’s self-harming behaviours provide detailed and effective guidance. 24 March 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to understand each child’s education and training targets and their next steps for learning. If a child’s progress is not in line with their agreed targets or next steps, staff should seek expert advice from education professionals, such as the virtual school head, special educational needs coordinator, learning mentor or teacher. Staff must challenge the child’s education or training provider if the child does not receive sufficient support to progress as outlined in their relevant plans. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 27, paragraph 5.11)

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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: SC416318 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bay View Child Care

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 to 5 Dalton Square, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 1PP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Amanda Carpenter

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Inspector

Natalie Bennett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC416318 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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