Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Kirklees

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2595620 1

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Sandcastle Care Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is a privately run children’s home. It provides care and accommodation for up to two children, aged between seven and 16 years. The home considers children who may have experienced a sudden placement and for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. They also consider children with a learning difficulty. There are two children currently living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. The home registered on 30 September 2020.

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This monitoring visit

Due to the restrictions in place relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this monitoring visit was carried out off site. The visit was to investigate potential breaches of regulations, following information being shared with Ofsted in notifications that indicated a potential risk of harm to children. The visit included the review of documents, a virtual tour of the building and discussions with children, staff, families and relevant professionals.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s plans and risk assessments are not up to date and they do not outline all the known risk factors. In addition, care plans do not address all of the children’s needs. To date, this has not had a negative impact on children. However, this is not best practice and could lead to an inconsistent approach from staff.

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This monitoring visit

Missing protocols are not up to date. For example, details of the children’s known associates are not identified in the protocol. In addition, the protocol does not give clear direction to staff of what to do or when to report children as missing. Despite this, staff do make extensive efforts to look for the children when they go missing from the home. Furthermore, close working relationships with other professionals ensures a co-ordinated and well-managed approach to missing-from-home incidents. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2595620 2 Key-work sessions and activity planners lack input from children. This means that children’s views and opinions are not recorded. This is a missed opportunity to reflect on the care and support children receive from staff.

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This monitoring visit

The matching of children has been well considered and thought out. The manager consults with placing social workers as part of the matching process. This helps to ensure that potential risks are identified, and safety measures are put in place to address them.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have access to a range of training and development opportunities. This helps to ensure that staff have the skills and knowledge to meet the individual needs of the children.

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This monitoring visit

Safe recruitment practices are adhered to by the manager. This ensures that children are cared for by individuals who have undergone the required vetting and induction process.

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This monitoring visit

Communication with children’s social workers and other professionals is good. There is a real sense of a ‘team around the child’ approach. One social worker described the home as ‘fantastic’. This collaborative approach provides better support and guidance for the children.

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This monitoring visit

The manager will challenge placing authorities if he perceives that other professionals are not working in the child’s best interests. For example, concerns are escalated when there is a delay in children being able to access appropriate education. This has helped to ensure that matters of concern are acted on in a timely manner.

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2595620 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 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

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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, care plans and risk assessments must reflect the current needs and risks of the children. 26 March 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s homes’ staff seek to identify and provide appropriate opportunities for children to develop themselves in accordance with their wishes and feelings and as part of the home’s plan for their care. Each child’s talents and interests should be understood and nurtured, with children selecting activities based on their personal preferences and abilities, so far as is reasonable. Staff should also support children to try activities that are ‘new’ for them, where appropriate. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards, page 31 paragraph 6.4.)

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2595620 4 This visit was carried out because the home is newly registered and met the criteria for a monitoring visit under the revised regulatory guidance, as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic.

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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: Sandcastle Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 49 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY3 9DG

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Inspectors

Cath Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Brian Wood, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2595620 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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