Children's Home run by Connect Care Solutions Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2606135 1 Registered provider: Connect Care Solutions Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is owned by a private provider and can provide care for one child with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 15 November 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 inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

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Information about this inspection

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: 2606135 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

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home and one child has moved in. Transitions in and out of the home are well planned. The manager requests, reviews and evaluates information effectively prior to any move. This means that there are individualised plans in place that identify how the child’s specific needs will be met.

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The care of children

Children are encouraged to talk openly about their feelings and wishes. They are consulted about the care they are receiving and encouraged to contribute to decisions that impact on their lives. This means that children feel listened to.

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The care of children

Managers and staff promote education. The manager is proactive in communicating with education services to ensure that children have access to both formal and informal learning opportunities. Staff continue to provide practical and emotional support for children to access education, despite their reluctance to engage. The manager has challenged other agencies and used escalation procedures to support children to achieve better educational outcomes.

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The care of children

Children are supported to access relevant health services and are registered with appropriate practitioners. Children are referred to specialist services, which means their social, physical and emotional health and well-being are monitored and supported effectively.

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The care of children

Leaders, managers and staff have created a welcoming, comfortable and nurturing environment. The child’s bedroom is decorated to reflect the child’s style and interests. Communal areas of the home are furnished and decorated to a high standard. This supports children to feel valued.

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The safety of children

In response to a previous requirement, children now have detailed risk assessments that clearly identify actions for staff to take to minimise the risk of harm. Risk management plans are regularly reviewed and updated. There is regular consultation with the staff team to ensure that they understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe.

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The safety of children

Staff have access to detailed missing-from-care protocols. Incidents of children going missing are well recorded and evaluated by the manager. The response to children going missing is robust. Staff carry out key-work sessions when children return home, using the information obtained from the independent return home Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2606135 3 interviews. The manager works effectively in sharing information with external agencies to support children to be safe.

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The safety of children

The manager and staff implement appropriate boundaries and strategies to manage and promote positive behaviour in the home. Consequences are reviewed and discussed openly with children to help them understand the impact of their actions. Consistent action and challenge by staff have resulted in no use of physical intervention being required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home is led by a manager who is child-centred and passionate about the quality of care that children receive. Children are cared for by a skilled and consistent staff team who know the children well. The manager monitors the outcomes for children effectively. A monthly progression document clearly identifies the child’s development and progress and correlates with their journey through their time at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has used internal monitoring and review systems effectively to understand the home’s strengths and weaknesses. Action has been taken to address the previous requirements and recommendations. However, external monitoring lacks evaluation and there is limited consultation with others. Leaders and managers have already identified this shortfall and commissioned an alternative independent visitor for the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Incidents are appropriately evaluated by leaders and managers. However, not all serious incidents have been notified to the regulator. Any learning outcomes from incidents are discussed in debriefs, supervisions and team meetings. One member of staff said that the team is reflective. This helps staff to continually improve the quality of care they provide.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/12/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2606135 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Connect Care Solutions Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 17 Victoria Road East, Thornton Cleveleys FY5 5HT

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Inspectors

Michelle Edge, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector Social Care Nichola Croft, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2606135 5 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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Inspectors

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

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