Children's Home run by Brinscall Care Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 1 Registered provider: Brinscall Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children who can no longer live at home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children are making good progress in their health, education and independence. For example, one child now attends dental appointments, after refusing for a long time. Another child is making good progress at college and has ambitions for his future.

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The care of children

Children’s care plans have been reformatted to show the children’s views, feelings and wishes. As a result, children say that they are much more involved in their care and know what their plans are. One child said, ‘I know I can have my say and I feel that they do everything they can to make this happen.’

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The care of children

Children are encouraged to be as independent as possible. However, staff support them when they are struggling, for example by helping them to keep their bedrooms clean. Children say that they are learning to be self-efficient and are proud of the progress they have made. Children have detailed transition plans and staff listen to their wishes and feelings. They receive a bespoke aftercare support package. This has resulted in children moving on successfully.

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The safety of children

There have been no safeguarding concerns to report to the relevant safeguarding professionals. Likewise, there have been no complaints from children or other professionals. Children say that they have an identified adult who they can talk to if they have any worries or concerns.

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The safety of children

Staff demonstrate their understanding of their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. Regular training in areas of keeping children safe helps staff to keep their practice current. The manager ensures that she notifies the regulator when concerns arise. The manager has challenged other professionals when services or a response have been slow or poor. Children’s trigger plans are regularly updated with safeguarding professionals.

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The safety of children

Improvements have been made in the recording of children’s vulnerabilities. Additional information helps staff to know what action to take if children display undesirable behaviour. This means that staff can give a consistent response. In addition, the manager has effective oversight of the consequences children receive for negative behaviour. She looks for trends and patterns and can identify what works well and what does not. There is more focus on reparation so that children understand the consequences of their actions. As a result, the number of incidents where children have been reported missing from the home or involved in substance Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 3 misuse has reduced. Overall, the home is settled, and children say that they are safe and enjoy living here.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager is at the final stage of completing her leadership and management qualification. There is a stable staff team. This means that children receive consistency of care. Staff say that supervision, appraisals, training and team meetings help them to improve their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home’s statement of purpose and the location report now include the details of the local offer which sets out the support available for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This means that staff can access additional resources for children, if necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A new independent visitor now visits the home. The manager said that this has been beneficial, as it has been a ‘new set of eyes’ on the service. She has used the independent visitor’s recommendations to improve the development of the home. At the last inspection, the manager was asked to ensure that consultation with children, professionals, parents and significant others is used in her internal monitoring report. This part of the requirement has been met. However, she has not evaluated or reflected on this consultation to improve or develop the service. This is a missed opportunity to obtain valuable feedback on the quality of care provided and to inform future developments. Therefore, the requirement has been restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/07/2021 Full Good 17/12/2019 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 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 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

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)) 28 April 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brinscall Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 27, Barnfield House, Sandpits Lane, Accrington Road, Blackburn BB1 3NY

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Catherine Chrystal-Clarke

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Inspector

Pam Nuckley, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 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.

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Inspector

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