Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Blackpool

Inspection report for children’s home: 2620222 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 is one of several homes operated by a large private organisation. The provider states in its statement of purpose that care is provided for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties. The inspector spoke with the children during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered in July 2021. The registered manager has been in post since the home registered.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2620222 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2620222 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported by a committed and stable staff team. The children speak fondly about staff and say that they know they can speak to them if they are worried. As a result, children feel safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have regular support from the organisation’s therapist. Children’s therapy is very much tailored to their individual needs and risks. Their therapeutic care plans are regularly reviewed and communication between the therapist and the team is strong. This results in children receiving consistent care and support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children attend full-time education and are making good progress. There are high aspirations for the children among the team of staff, who support and encourage children to reach their potential. Staff use creative and enjoyable incentives that motivate the children to do well. However, the manager and staff are not aware of the strategies and targets in children’s education, health and care plans which would help them to support children further.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy activities with the staff, and experiences are captured in photos and kept in children’s memory books. Children and staff have good relationships and enjoy events together. Positive friendships are encouraged and maintained.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health and a healthy lifestyle is encouraged by staff. Children’s individual health needs are understood well. Staff and children recently took part in a challenge to see who could walk the most steps in a month. This was successful in encouraging children to be active and is something that the manager will be encouraging children to do again.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to be involved in their local community. One child made cakes for a coffee morning to raise money for charity. Children also enjoy being involved in delivering food to local homeless shelters. Children feel part of their community and have the opportunity to contribute.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager supports children sensitively when they are moving in or out of the home. Children are matched appropriately, taking into account their individual risks. This ensures that children have the best opportunity for getting along and living together harmoniously.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Time with family is supported when this is part of the child’s plan. Staff work with children to make these relationships positive while at the same time ensuring that they feel safe and able to have a break if needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s records are written in a child-centred way throughout. This means that they are more accessible to the children and ensures that children can reflect on opportunities and experiences in a more meaningful way. Inspection report for children’s home: 2620222 4

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

Children’s individual risks are understood by staff. Children’s risk management plans are clear, concise and track progress. When there has been any learning from incidents, the plans are swiftly reviewed and updated. This means that staff have the information needed to respond appropriately to keep children safe.

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

Restraint has been used once since the last inspection. This was used as a last resort and the learning from this is reflected in the child’s positive behaviour support plan. Staff listened to the child and can use de-escalation techniques to reduce the need for restraint in the future.

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

Children’s self-esteem and self-image are important to the staff, who promote this in a nurturing way. Positive affirmations and open communication help children to feel valued and listened to.

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

The home is warm and welcoming, and the manager promotes a culture where all areas of the home are accessible to children. This ensures that children do not feel excluded.

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

Staff understand the risks posed to children with regards to the internet and they use sophisticated apps to ensure that children are safe when using technology. Staff are curious about the events in children’s lives and do individual work with children that further enhances their ability to keep safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified and has managed the home since it registered. He has high expectations of the staff team and high aspirations for the children. The manager is an excellent advocate for the children, and he demonstrates this proactively. He is very much enthused by his role, which shows in his dedication to the progress children make, development of the staff, and the care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight of the home and uses monitoring tools effectively. Monthly visits by an independent person are used effectively as a tool to improve the care provided. Development plans are also in place which include the views of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are recruited following safer recruitment processes so that staff employed at the home are suitable to care for children. However, the manager has not taken steps to ensure that all staff are familiar with the safeguarding procedures following a concern for a child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular team meetings take place where staff can discuss the children in detail, and children are involved in staff’s appraisals. This provides the staff with first-hand accounts of how they are working and what areas they may need to develop. Inspection report for children’s home: 2620222 5 The manager understands that it is not always possible for children to be able to verbally express themselves. As a result, he is creative in finding ways that children can communicate with the staff team, for example through quizzes or scales, which means that children’s views, wishes and feelings are taken into consideration.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff have the necessary training to support the children with their individual needs and risks. The manager uses opportunities to develop individuals, and supervision sessions are detailed and reflective. These contribute to staff feeling valued and motivated. Inspection report for children’s home: 2620222 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when a child has an education, health and care plan that staff are aware of the targets and strategies outlined in the plan in order to support children effectively. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.4)  The registered person should ensure that individual adults in the home are engaged in the safeguarding culture of the home so that they understand what they would need to do if they found other staff misusing or abusing their position to the detriment of the safety of a child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.14)

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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: 2620222 7

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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

Kerri Lynch-Mahoney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2620222 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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