Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2559023 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

This home is owned and managed by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who may have emotional and/or social difficulties. The home is registered for single gender occupancy only.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2020.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this monitoring visit was carried out off site. The visit included a review of documents, a virtual tour of the home, and discussions with children, staff and a social worker.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of the visit was to investigate potential breaches of regulations, following an emerging pattern of concerns being identified at other homes owned by this organisation.

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This monitoring visit

The home has not been inspected since its registration in March 2020.

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This monitoring visit

The children are provided with warm, nurturing care from a child-centred manager and team. A child said, ‘It feels like home. Staff listen. I am a happy kid.’

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This monitoring visit

The staff know the children well and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of each child’s background, needs and interests. As a result, the children’s care is personalised, and their needs are being met.

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This monitoring visit

The children are safe and feel safe. Positive relationships are helping the children to trust staff and accept their support and guidance. The staff support the children to develop safer ways to deal with their emotions. A child proudly informed the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2559023 2 inspector that he had been rewarded at school for managing his anger. This is clear evidence of progress.

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This monitoring visit

The staff are suitably equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to keep children safe. Risk is carefully assessed by a knowledgeable team. Individual risk assessments and behaviour-management plans are regularly reviewed and updated and reflect the child’s views. Furthermore, they provide staff with clear risk- management strategies.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding incidents are well documented. This enables the manager to maintain good oversight of risk and the staff’s safeguarding practice. Incidents are reported promptly to all relevant professionals, which enhances scrutiny and a swift investigation into concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Despite the restrictions in place due to COVID-19, the children have been involved in lots of fun activities and new experiences. These have included building dens in the garden, farming chickens, growing vegetables and fundraising for local charities. All of this is keeping the children busy while also enabling them to develop new skills and interests.

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This monitoring visit

The home is led by an energetic and child-focused manager. She supports and leads a stable, content and committed staff team extremely well. A child described her as ‘the best manager ever’.

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This monitoring visit

The monthly independent monitoring of the home is effective and helping the manager and team to continue to improve and develop. This monitoring could be strengthened further through additional consultation with a wider range of professionals and parents when appropriate.

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Recent inspection history

Not yet inspected Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2559023 3

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the independent monitoring of the home provides a rigorous assessment of the care and protection provided to children. In particular, the independent visitor should seek the views of a wide range of stakeholders, including parents when appropriate. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, paragraph 15.5, page 65)

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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: Sandcastle Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Marina Tully, Social Care Compliance Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2559023 4 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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