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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a number operated by a large private organisation. The provider states in its statement of purpose that it provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There is a registered manager in place who registered with Ofsted in August 2022.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 25 October 2022

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

p.1

good

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

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/10/2022 Full Inadequate 03/03/2022 Full Good 07/01/2020 Full Outstanding 11/12/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, there was one child living at the home. Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or out of the home. The child living at the home is well cared for. He has built strong and positive relationships with staff and said that he feels safe and secure. The child spoke to the inspectors and was positive about his home and the staff caring for him.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s progress from their starting points is good. Staff have high aspirations for the child and have provided a lot of support around his education. Communication between staff at the home and school staff is excellent. The registered manager and staff are proactive when a child’s educational provision is not meeting their individual needs, and they challenge when necessary.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff communicate well with each other, and positive behaviour is encouraged. There is a strong emphasis on using the home’s therapist to support the staff in offering consistent and reliable responses to the child. This means that staff provide safe, stable routines and clear boundaries.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that they provide the child with opportunities to expand their life experiences. The child has access to lots of different activities in the home and is encouraged to try new activities. This is helping to increase his sense of well-being.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is comfortable, well furnished and decorated to a high standard. There are photos of the child on display, showing them enjoying various activities. Care and attention are taken to provide a calm, welcoming home with a family feeling.

p.3

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

The manager and staff know the child in their care very well. The child has a detailed risk assessment that is regularly updated to reflect any changes for the child. Risk management is realistic and effective.

p.3

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

Individual support sessions carried out by staff with the child link into their identified risks and needs and are tailored to support them to understand themselves and to move forward positively. The result of this work has meant that previous risks have been reduced significantly.

p.3

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

The positive working relationship the staff have with the therapist enables managers and staff to make effective decisions about how to support the child as care documents and plans are co-produced. The multi-disciplinary supportive approach and nurturing care have meant that the child’s emotional needs are well met. Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 4 The child’s behaviour is understood and managed very well. Staff take the time to understand what the child needs individually and put measures in place to support their positive behaviours. Responses to the child are measured and consistent across the staff team. Staff provide a safe and secure environment. This means that the child is learning how to manage his behaviours.

p.3

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

Although there have been no missing-from-home incidents, staff are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities should this happen.

p.4

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

The provider employs staff using safer recruitment processes that help prevent unsuitable adults from working in the home. In addition, thorough and detailed induction assessments ensure that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to work safely with children. Continuous supervision and feedback from managers underline the importance of open, reflective and transparent practice. This helps keep children safe.

p.4

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

The home provides a very safe and secure physical environment. All required health and safety checks and procedures, including the routine servicing of equipment, are up to date. Fire safety precautions are explained to, then practised and understood by, the child and any new staff starting in the organisation. Damage to property and wear and tear of fixtures and fittings are quickly addressed. The home is warm and welcoming and provides the child with a comfortable home environment.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has been in post since August 2022. He is experienced and suitably qualified. The manager has high expectations of his staff team and is open and transparent in his approach. He ensures new staff undergo a supportive and comprehensive induction programme. Staff speak positively about the manager and benefit from his consistent support and guidance.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the child and the staff team extremely well. He is aware of the home’s strengths and weaknesses and uses thorough and effective monitoring systems to identify when change or improvement is needed. The team reflects and acts on the feedback given following independent visits, Ofsted inspections, consultations and audits. As a result, the child’s voice is included in care records, and his plans are now written in a child-friendly way.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to regular reflective supervision with the manager or a senior staff member. They also have access to annual appraisals to support them to identify any learning needs or development opportunities.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have excellent working relationships with partner agencies. The placing authority is happy with the standard of care provided to the child, the good communication systems in place and the proactive attitude of the staff. Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 5

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should, whenever possible, ensure that staff in day-to-day contact with children include staff from the different gender groups. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.22)

p.5

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 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Inspectors

Jessica Higginson, Social Care Inspector Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1262657 7 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.

p.6

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7