Children's home run by Cherish Children’s Care Limited in Fylde

Inspection report children’s home: SC476868 1 SC476868 Registered provider: Cherish Children’s Care Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to four children who may have emotional and/or behavioural needs.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been appointed and is to apply to Ofsted for registration.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following the inadequate inspection of this service a restriction notice and three compliance notices were issued. These related to regulation 6, the quality and purpose of care; regulation 13, leadership and management; and regulation 25, fire precautions. A monitoring visit took place on 7 July 2021, and the notices were met. The restriction notices remained in place until all the building works were completed. Inspection report children’s home: SC476868 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/05/2021 Full Inadequate 20/11/2019 Full Good 24/04/2018 Full Good 09/08/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC476868 3 ,

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improvement to be good

Following the inadequate judgment in May 2021, one child remained in the home for a period of two weeks. The home then closed for an extensive refurbishment and no children were admitted during this time.

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improvement to be good

Staff took positive action to address the shortfalls in the child’s care planning records and documentation. A clearly defined and well-planned transition plan was initiated to help the child move into their new home. As a result, she settled in quickly.

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improvement to be good

The manager and staff are currently working with a placing authority to admit a child to the home. This is being carefully considered to ensure that the staff can meet all the child’s needs. A range of opportunities are being planned for the child to visit the home and to meet the staff prior to the move.

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improvement to be good

Staff support children’s education and help them to overcome barriers to learning. A child recently contacted the staff to tell them that they had passed their GCSE exams. Staff are working in conjunction with the placing authority to source an appropriate school for the child who may be coming to live in the home.

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improvement to be good

Children can access a wide range of activities in the local area. Staff are eager for children to continue with their hobbies and interests and to try new things. This helps to build children’s confidence and self-esteem.

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improvement to be good

Children remain in contact with their families and other people who are important to them. Staff support visits for children to see family and friends.

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improvement to be good

The condition of the home has much improved and it is now a warm, inviting and homely environment. Staff have thought creatively about the use of the available space. For example, they have created an additional bedroom to provide a safe place for a child to sleep should they not be able to use their own room. Fire safety has improved as new fire doors have been installed. Consequently, children live in a safe environment where they are protected from harm.

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improvement to be good

Children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and the communal areas. Staff are keen for children to feel safe and at home here.

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improvement to be good

Staff have a sound understanding of child protection and safeguarding. They are aware of the potential risks for children, such as going missing from home, county lines and child sexual exploitation. Staff know to report any concerns that they may Inspection report children’s home: SC476868 4 have to the appropriate people. They are confident to escalate their concerns if they feel that they are not being taken seriously.

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improvement to be good

Staff have a better understanding of the behaviour management strategies for children. They have reflected on past experiences and have learned from these. Staff said that they are confident to act to protect children from harm.

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improvement to be good

The provider has recruited several new members of staff. Three recruitment files were examined and there were shortfalls regarding the verification of references and the recording of interview notes. These are recording issues and do not have an impact on the safety and well-being of the children. The new staff said that the induction process is informative and they are receiving regular support and professional supervision.

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good

Following the last inspection, the manager left her post. A new manager has been appointed and is applying to register with Ofsted. The manager, the responsible individual and staff have worked collaboratively to make a sweeping range of changes to the organisation of the home, staff training, record-keeping and the design and layout of the premises.

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good

Staff spoke positively about the changes, in particular the new recording systems that have streamlined the paperwork, and the quality of the training. Staff spoke highly of the attachment training that has enabled them to reflect on past practice. A workforce development plan is in place, but it is not reflective of the current staff team.

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good

Staff are empowered as they are included in the decision-making process and feel valued by the management.

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good

The responsible individual has introduced a wide range of monitoring systems that will enable her and the manager to have clear oversight of the records, documentation and maintenance of the home. However, as no children have been placed in the home, the inspector is unable to measure the impact of these changes.

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good

Ofsted has not received any of the independent person’s monitoring reports or a copy of the manager’s monitoring reports since the last inspection. This was rectified during the inspection. However, the failure to submit the reports in a timely fashion does not promote transparency.

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good

The quality of the statement of purpose has improved. However, there were some inaccuracies in relation to the manager’s position, the name of the home and the age range of children to be cared for. These have been addressed. Inspection report children’s home: SC476868 5

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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 registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. (Regulation 16 (1)) 12 November 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (3)

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Requirement Due date

This relates to the completion of the company’s documentation and the verification of references. 12 November 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 12 November 2021 Inspection report children’s home: SC476868 6 This relates to the home maintaining an accurate admissions and discharge book.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to—

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Requirement Due date

HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1) (7)(a)) 12 November 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1) (4)(a)) 12 November 2021

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have a current workforce development plan which can meet the requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 and reflects the staff’s training needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC476868 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cherish Children’s Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 8a, Skyways Commercial Campus, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool FY4 3RS

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Inspector

Chris Scully, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC476868 8 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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