Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Blackpool

Inspection report for children’s home: 2508153 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

The home is owned by a private organisation. It provides care for up to two children who may have emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has worked in the home since it was registered in February 2019. The manager was formally registered with Ofsted in April 2019.

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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 SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 21 January 2020

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2508153 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/01/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/06/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2508153 3

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outstanding

Children benefit from receiving consistent care from a stable and experienced staff team. This is key to children being able to develop trusting relationships with staff without the fear that the staff may be leaving the home soon. Children live in a very supportive and nurturing environment where they can thrive.

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outstanding

Extremely positive relationships between staff and children were evident during the inspection. One child said, ‘I really like the staff, particularly my key worker. The rules of the home are fair, and staff will listen to me.’ Both children have lived in the home for over two years. Staff know them well and skilfully adapt their approach to best effect.

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outstanding

The home is warm and welcoming. It is decorated to a high standard. It is a bright and attractive space that children are proud of. There is plenty of space for children to spend time alone or together. There are photos of the children around the home and evidence of their specific interests. It is very much ‘a family home’. Staff also refer to working here as feeling like their ‘second family’. Consequently, there is a warm, homely atmosphere and children are happy here.

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outstanding

Staff want children to leave with happy memories of their time here. Children receive encouragement to pursue their individual interests and hobbies. For the current residents, this includes playing the guitar or keyboard, playing football and going to the gym. Staff go the extra mile to arrange positive activities. Children enjoy trips to theme parks and have been on holiday abroad, as well as attending a live music festival. Such experiences help to develop children’s confidence and self- esteem. Staff are also keen to ensure that they take photographs of achievements and events. These are nicely presented in albums for the children to keep, so that they have a memento of their time in the home.

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outstanding

During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff arranged an easter bonnet competition, with some amazing entries. Furthermore, as children had requested more garden space to play football, staff and children worked hard to make some changes to the garden to allow for this. The children also helped staff paint the shed, and one child has decorated his bedroom by painting a modern geometric pattern on one wall. Such participation helps children respect their environment and equips them with practical skills for the future.

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outstanding

Staff go out of their way to promote positive time for children with their family and friends, even if this involves travelling some considerable distance. They appreciate the significance of these relationships. They also get to know children’s friends in the local area. Staff will help plan for children to stay overnight with a friend, like other children of their age. Inspection report for children’s home: 2508153 4 Living in this home has a positive impact on the children who live here, as they soon make progress across all areas of their development. Social workers and children’s family members frequently comment on the difference that living in the home has made to their child. One professional commented, ‘My child has made tremendous progress since moving into the home.’

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outstanding

Both children are now attending education regularly, which is a significant improvement. They are making good educational progress, and staff support one child to attend for additional tuition in his weakest subject. Children have clear career aspirations, and one also has a part-time job at the weekend. This clear focus helps motivate children to succeed.

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outstanding

Staff provide children with information about a range of health-related issues so that they can make their own informed choices. This includes information on the effects of alcohol, drugs and smoking. Staff support children to attend medical appointments if there are health concerns. However, on one occasion when a child was prescribed antibiotics, they had not been administered as prescribed, as the child had felt better and declined to complete the course. However, staff had not updated the general practitioner with this information until prompted to do so during this inspection.

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outstanding

Children’s emotional health needs are also prioritised. Children have easy access to the organisation’s therapist, who visits the home on a weekly basis. She also provides clear guidance to staff on how best to approach any issue of concern. Consequently, staff are consistent in their approach, which children respond well to. There have been significant improvements in the mental well-being of one child since moving into the home.

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outstanding

Children are very settled in this home and trust the staff who care for them. They feel safe and secure here. They know how to make a complaint, although none have been made since the last inspection over two years ago. They see the registered manager daily and are confident that any concerns that they may have in the future will be addressed.

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outstanding

The extremely positive relationships that staff have with children enable them to de- escalate most incidents of challenging behaviour. Incidents of physical intervention are very rare because, in the main, children respect and listen to staff advice. Clear and consistent behaviour management strategies, individualised for each child, mean that staff know how best to calm any conflict situation to best effect.

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outstanding

Staff allow children to take age-appropriate risks as they get older. Highly effective key-working means that staff engage children in discussions about some of the risks that they may face when out in the local community, such as knife crime and drug misuse. This ensures that children have information on which to make an informed Inspection report for children’s home: 2508153 5 decision. If staff do become aware of any low-level concerns, they seek further advice and support immediately so that the matter is swiftly addressed. Staff have developed a ‘resource file’, which contains information and links to resources that they have accessed and found to be helpful in the past.

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outstanding

Staff know the children exceptionally well. They can talk in detail about their individual vulnerabilities. Risk management plans contain pertinent information and strategies for staff to implement to reduce risk. These documents are reviewed and updated following any incident, ensuring that they remain current and effective.

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outstanding

Children have occasionally put themselves at risk by going missing from care. However, there is a marked reduction in missing-from-care incidents for all children when they move here. When these incidents have occurred, staff go to great lengths to locate them. This includes searching the local area and contacting known associates. Highly effective partnership working with the police, family members and other safeguarding bodies means that children are swiftly located. Detailed records outline the actions that staff have taken. They also ensure that children are welcomed home and a debrief is completed. The manager’s evaluation of the incident ensures that any follow-up action, such as the need for an independent return home interview is completed, and any learning is carried forward to children’s missing-from-care protocols or discussed at the next staff meeting.

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outstanding

Thorough staff recruitment processes prevent unsuitable adults from gaining employment in the home. The registered manager consults appropriately with the designated officer should any staffing concerns arise. However, there have been no allegations since the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a suitably qualified and experienced manager in charge of the home. He has worked in the home since it opened and is committed to making the home a safe place where children want to live. He is proud of the achievements of the children and celebrates their success.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is no deputy manager employed at this home on account of its small size. However, the manager is supported by three very capable senior staff, who share his enthusiasm and dedication. Staff and children receive encouragement to voice their ideas and suggestions. There is a ‘can-do’ attitude in this home. Staff believe a solution can always be found. This inclusive approach makes the home a positive environment in which to live and work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular supervision and an annual performance appraisal, ensuring that their target areas for development are not overlooked. The manager prioritises training and development opportunities for staff. He is keen to support the development of those who work here. Staff confirm that they feel extremely well supported and that there is a focus on their future development. Staff are allocated more challenging tasks to complete to help develop their knowledge and skills. Inspection report for children’s home: 2508153 6 This helps to motivate staff, who demonstrate a commitment to working in the home. The consistency of the staff team reflects this, and staff appreciate this investment in their development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Management oversight is strong. The manager has developed several monitoring tools, to help ensure that issues are not overlooked. He makes good use of both the internal and external monitoring of the home. This is used to drive forward improvements. An annual development plan ensures that targets are set for the year ahead and receive regular review. This helps to avoid drift.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The standard of record-keeping is high. Staff complete comprehensive progress reports for children’s reviews and a very helpful weekly summary that is sent to social workers. Social workers comment on how useful this is and on the reliability of receiving this report each week.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Regular consultation takes place with stakeholders, who are encouraged to suggest improvements. Responses are extremely positive. Professionals speak highly of the home, praising staff communication and the progress of children. One social work professional commented, ‘When you walk in, it doesn’t feel like a residential home; it feels like a home. The staff really care about my child and want him to succeed in life.’ During the inspection, a parent commented, ‘Staff have provided a wonderful safety net around my child.’ This level of commitment and dedication makes a real difference to children’s lives. Inspection report for children’s home: 2508153 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that medicines are administered in line with a medically approved protocol. Specifically, that if a child does not complete a course of prescribed antibiotics that consultation takes place with an expert, such as the General Medical Practitioner, community pharmacist or designated nurse for looked-after children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15).

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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: 2508153 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 Ltd, 49 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY3 9DG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Penelope Rafferty

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Inspectors

Mandy Williams, Social Care Inspector Claire Hobbs, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2508153 9 regulates and inspects 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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