Children's home run by Aspris Care North West Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 1 Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a number operated by a large private organisation. The provider states in their home’s statement of purpose that they provide care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The children were spoken to during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 9 March 2021 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/01/2020 Full Outstanding 11/12/2018 Full Outstanding 06/02/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, two children lived at this home. The home is decorated to a high standard and has a homely feel. The children are settled and making good progress. Children have built good relationships with the staff. One child has lived at the home for over four years and has a real sense of permanence and belonging. Inspectors observed warm, nurturing relationships between children and the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last visit to the home, two children have moved out in a planned way. Children still maintain contact with the staff who cared for them. This demonstrates a culture of strong relationships that has been built during their time living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is promoted in the home. The manager and staff support children to be in education. The manager has been influential in challenging a child’s educational provision when it hasn’t been suitable for their individual needs. This is enhancing children’s educational opportunities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a wide range of hobbies and interests. They are also encouraged to enjoy new activities and outings, and to be involved in their local community. One child is gifted and talented in music and plays in a band. Staff fully support and encourage her talent and are immensely proud of what she has achieved. The child’s interest in music is encouraged much further, and she told the inspector that she was planning a trip to Madrid to watch her favourite band with staff. Additionally, these experiences are captured in photos and memory books to help them remember their life story and happy memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have goals and aspirations for their future and want to fulfil their potential. One child is being supported with their independence and is already able to travel independently, cook, budget and keep her room clean. Staff have worked hard to prepare her for living independently, and this has helped to alleviate her anxieties. The child is now feeling excited about her future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well understood and promoted. All children have up-to- date health assessments in place, and referrals are made to relevant agencies to provide additional support. As a result, there are robust plans in place and staff understand how to best support children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is very spacious, suitably decorated with modern decor. Any maintenance jobs are actioned without delay. This imbeds the nurturing environment that the manager works hard to achieve. Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 4 The manager and staff are not all aware of the local offer, which sets out the support available for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This is a missed opportunity to access additional resources for children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children told inspectors they feel safe and are well cared for. Children could name staff that they trust and said that they would talk to staff if they were worried about anything or needed support to manage any worries they may have.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are trained in de-escalation techniques and are effective in preventing incidents from escalating. Children have developed strategies to help manage their emotions. This has led to a reduction in safeguarding incidents. Restraint practice is used to support children during difficult times. This is only used as a last resort to keep children safe. Staff have attended a variety of training; however, not all staff are trained in substance misuse. This gap in training could be detrimental to children in their care.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

All staff have a good understanding of children’s needs. Risk assessments and plans are individual to each child. These documents are reviewed and updated as required. However, risk assessments do not give clear strategies for staff to follow when children are, or are suspected of being, under the influence of substances.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When children make allegations against staff, appropriate action is taken immediately to ensure that children are safeguarded while the allegations are fully investigated. The provider ensures that external agencies are contacted and that all information is shared consistently. This ensures that decision-making is clear.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Controlled medication is given in line with a child’s prescription; however, the provider needs to ensure that information about the administration of prescribed medication is included in children’s health plans.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

All the children spoken with told inspectors that they knew how to make a complaint if they were not happy about any aspect of their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has a registered manager in post. Staff benefit from his strong leadership and say that the manager is approachable and very supportive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a clear understanding of the progress that children are making and what goals are being worked towards, and he is a strong advocate for children. The culture of the home is one of high aspirations and nurturing for all. This is evident in the children’s comments, adaptations to the home and continued progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is regular consultation with children, their families and professionals that consider their views consistently. Social workers told the inspector that Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 5 communication is ‘excellent’. During the inspection, key professionals called into the home to discuss and share information about the local area. The manager has also supported a ‘mentor’ to complete a programme of work with the children, which is having a positive impact on the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular developmental supervision from the registered manager, team meetings, probation reviews and an induction. The consistent support from the manager ensures that children receive high-quality care and standards remain high. There is continuous professional development of staff, and the manager ensures that staff receive training and development opportunities. Agency staff are not used, and children benefit from a consistent and stable staff team. Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 6

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that risk assessments accurately reflect children’s current risks and clear reduction strategies, particularly around allegations.

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Requirement Due date

The provider must ensure that risk assessments clearly state what actions staff are to take when children are, or are suspected of being, under the influence of substances. 06 April 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1))

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Requirement Due date

The provider needs to ensure that information about the administration of prescribed medication is included in children’s health plans. 06 April 2022

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. (Regulation 37 (1)(2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

The provider needs to demonstrate all hours that all staff have worked on rotas, including managers. 06 April 2022 Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 7

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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 for children's home: 1262657 8

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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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Inspectors

Jessica Higginson, Social Care Inspector Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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