Children's Home run by Aspris Care North West Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2550015 1

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Sandcastle Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of many operated by a large private provider. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children with emotional and/or behavioural 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 November 2019 and does not yet have the relevant level 5 qualification.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place because the home has not yet had its post-registration inspection since it registered in November 2019.

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This monitoring visit

The three children accommodated at this home are making good progress. They say that they are happy living in the home. They understand the rules and boundaries and believe these to be fair. They all reported that they trust and get on well with staff. They also said that they enjoy each other’s company, although they each spend a good deal of time pursuing their own chosen activities. The boys are happy with the home’s presentation, and a video tour showed that the home is clean and tidy, well decorated and furnished.

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This monitoring visit

Children are settled and there are few safeguarding incidents. There has only been one physical intervention in the time that the home has been operating. This shows that staff have the skills to manage children’s behaviour.

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This monitoring visit

Incidents that occur are recorded in good detail. Managers have oversight of incidents and evaluate the effectiveness of staff’s actions. Individual sessions are undertaken with children after incidents to capture their views. This helps them to understand what constitutes acceptable behaviour. They are taught how to repair damaged relationships. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2550015 2 One serious incident occurred in summer 2020. Two staff members behaved in a highly unprofessional manner. They were appropriately disciplined and referred to the police, designated officer, and Disclosure and Barring Service. Although there are no concerns about how this incident was managed, it did have a detrimental impact on at least one child, whose placement was terminated by his parent as a result.

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This monitoring visit

Children are well matched. Managers make every effort to gather information about children prior to admission. Admissions are planned with the manager visiting the child before they are placed. Children have an opportunity to visit the home before they come to live there. A social worker commented on the effectiveness of the admissions process.

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This monitoring visit

The staff team is mainly made up of men. Children spoken to are unconcerned about this. They reported that they enjoy positive relationships with all members of the staff team. However, it would be good practice for the staff team to have a better gender balance. Most staff do not yet have the relevant level 3 qualification. There is no evident detrimental impact because of this, and several are already studying for the qualification.

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This monitoring visit

Supervision records were reviewed as part of this visit. No concerns were noted. Staff receive appropriate supervision and are given the opportunity to share their views about the service. Supervisors use the opportunity to praise staff when they are working hard and making a positive contribution to the running of the home and to children’s lives.

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This monitoring visit

No requirements or recommendations are made as a result of this visit.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2550015 3

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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 Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Charlie Bamber, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2550015 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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