Children's Home run by Aspris Care North West Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582246 1 Registered provider: Sandcastle 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 children’s home is one of a number of homes owned by a private organisation. The home can provide care for up to two children with social and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since March 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 25 October 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: 2582246 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

The inspector observed warm and supportive relationships between children and staff. Children are encouraged to share their views and wishes and are consulted about decisions that impact on their lives. Children are supported to contribute to their care planning. This means that children feel valued.

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The care of children

The home is well presented and has a newly decorated communal lounge which is bright and homely. Children are supported to personalise their bedrooms and have appropriate furniture and storage.

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The care of children

Children have up-to-date plans which reflect their current placement information. Children’s plans are detailed and appropriately reflect their journey through care.

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The care of children

Managers and staff support children to attend school and children are making progress. The registered manager has established good communication systems with education providers. This means that there is a strong response to safeguarding concerns and any barriers to learning are identified.

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The safety of children

Managers and staff know the children well and respond quickly to risk. There are newly formatted individualised risk assessment and behaviour support plans in place for each child. Plans are updated with appropriate information and are shared with the staff team.

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The safety of children

All children have clear missing-from-care protocols in place. Staff understand these plans and there have been no incidents of children going missing from home since the last inspection.

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The safety of children

Incidents are minimal and well managed. Physical intervention is rarely required and used only when deemed proportionate and necessary. There has been one incident, which is well recorded. Debriefs have been completed with those involved and the child has been sensitively spoken to about the measure. This means that children can talk about the quality of care they receive.

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The safety of children

Children are supported to understand their own behaviour. The managers and staff are consistent and implement appropriate boundaries and routines to promote positive behaviour in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582246 3

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home is led by a supportive and caring manager who knows the children well. Staff say that they feel supported and are part of a team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have ensured that there is a consistent staff team to care for children. Staff are encouraged to attend training and develop in their roles. The manager has introduced face-to-face refresher training to enhance the knowledge and skills of the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager uses external monitoring well and has implemented audit and tracker systems to develop care practices. The manager has supported staff to understand their roles and responsibilities through regular practice-related supervisions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers review and evaluate serious incidents. However, there has been a delay in submitting a notification to the regulator. The registered manager has now implemented systems to support staff to understand the requirement to notify serious incidents to Ofsted in her absence. A recommendation is restated to reflect this shortfall.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have responded to previous requirements. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582246 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 01/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582246 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday. Notification must include details of the action taken by the home’s staff in response to the event. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.13) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582246 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Ltd

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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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Inspector

Nichola Croft, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2582246 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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