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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2590522 1

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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 was registered in July 2020 and has not had a full inspection since registration.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out due an increase in notifications being received by Ofsted. These notifications relate to prolonged incidents of missing from home for some children, and allegations and complaints made by children.

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This monitoring visit

In partnership with other agencies, such as the police and local authorities, managers have regularly reviewed the safety and welfare arrangements for children. This has ensured that risks are fully considered and that the placement at the home remains suitable.

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This monitoring visit

On occasions, however, staff have not continued to search for children when they have been missing from home. Rather, staff have relied on the local police force to carry out searches. The rational for this decision-making is not clearly documented nor formally agreed.

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This monitoring visit

Children receive regular guidance and support from the staff. Any incidents are followed up with children and they are encouraged to reflect on their responses and behaviours. However, there have been instances where staff have recorded negative judgements about a child’s behaviour. Those comments, if read by the child, would not be helpful.

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This monitoring visit

The management team has responded appropriately to any allegations or complaints Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2590522 2 that have been made. The manager keeps a clear audit trail of investigations, and professionals consider communication to be timely and focused. When necessary, managers have taken immediate action and ensured that staff understand their roles and responsibilities.

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This monitoring visit

Children spoken to reported feeling safe at the home. They value the time staff spend with them, and the support they receive in pursuing their activities and interests. Children also feel that staff take an interest in their education and help them with homework/home-learning. Words that children used to describe the home include, ‘mint’, ‘decent’ and ‘brilliant’. One child commented: ‘Staff are really good with me. They spend loads of time with me.’

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This monitoring visit

In line with their care plans, staff help children keep in regular contact with their families.

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This monitoring visit

Children make individual progress through living at the home and this includes managing their emotions, learning to live with others, and improved levels of engagement in education. One social worker commented: ‘I couldn’t ask for a better placement for him. He loves it and is thriving.’

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2590522 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff record information about individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff receive training in areas pertinent to children’s needs, such as autism, attention deficit disorder and how previous life experiences may impact upon children’s behaviours and emotional presentation. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that arrangements for staff to continually search for children, especially during prolonged incidents of missing from home, are clear and agreed with the placing local authority and relevant police authorities. (‘Guide to children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.27)

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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: Bay View Child Care

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Amanda Carpenter

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Inspector

Pauline Yates, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2590522 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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