Children's home run by Lancashire County Council – Children’s services

Inspection report for children’s home: 2702602 1 Registered provider: Lancashire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority operates this home under short-break arrangements. It provides care for up to four children and young people who have learning and/or physical disabilities, including sensory impairment.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2022, at the same time as the home.

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2702602 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive a well-planned and inclusive introduction to the short-break service. The manager involves the child, their families, and the local authority social worker. Children can choose which bedroom they prefer to stay in, and they build up time in the home at their own pace.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have their short breaks as part of a small group. Children make new friends and enjoy the time that they spend at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The indoor and outdoor areas are stimulating and suited to children’s play. Children’s artwork is displayed throughout the home. Bedrooms are planned around children’s individual needs. Staff are supportive in embedding children’s sensory needs into their care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive experiences during their stays, and they have fun. Staff are skilled in using the resources in the home and the wider community to provide these positive experiences. Children experience many opportunities that may not have been possible without the short-breaks service.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of children’s needs. As a result of this, children quickly settle. A parent said, ‘My son loves coming here. At first, I didn’t think he would want to go. He is a shy child with little verbal communication, however, will often get his overnight bag and ask to go there.’ Another parent said, ‘Staff are invested in all of the children. They want what is best for them. I feel very lucky.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress, supported by the adults who care for them. For example, children are encouraged to use symbols and speech sounds, in line with their relevant plans. As a result, children continue to make progress in their communication and language skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff keep children’s individual goals under regular review and celebrate their achievements with parents and social workers. A member of staff said, ‘This way of working helps children transfer the skills to a different setting and promotes their self-esteem and independence.’

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

Children are safe and very happy visiting the home. They show this through their smiles and constant interaction with staff. Children display their affection towards staff through their behaviour and communication.

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

Staff show they understand their role and responsibilities in keeping children safe. They are trained in safeguarding procedures. However, not all staff understand the role of the local authority designated officer (LADO). The manager did not contact Inspection report for children’s home: 2702602 3 the LADO after a child alleged that they had sustained an injury during an incident. This prevented the opportunity for independent oversight.

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

Staff only hold children as a last resort, to keep everyone safe. Staff have received appropriate training. Children are offered debriefs afterwards and staff try to understand the reasons for the behaviour to prevent reoccurrence. Managers also provide debriefs for staff after difficult incidents.

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

Staff understand the importance of meeting children’s health needs. There is a well- managed system for administering and recording medications in a safe and controlled way.

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

Recruitment processes are robust and designed to ensure that children are kept safe. Written references are always followed up with verbal verification. Recruitment processes ensure that only suitably vetted people are recruited to work at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is qualified and experienced and is supported by two qualified and experienced deputy managers. The manager has a key role, engaging in strategic conversations with stakeholders in the local authority. This has helped to raise funds which are contributing towards buying adaptable play equipment that can be used by all children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and leaders understand well the home’s strengths and areas for improvement. They use monitoring tools and action plans to demonstrate how they are listening to ideas and driving quality forward. A member of staff said, ‘The managers complement each other. Their support is available whenever it is needed, and they are always coming up with new supportive ideas for children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and meet as a team to plan and reflect. Managers conduct appraisals with staff on an annual basis. Staff reflect on their work and set targets for the year ahead. However, the appraisals do not include the views of children or key individuals. This limits the manager’s understanding of children’s experiences and the ability of leaders to make improvements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff play a central role in advocating for children, and they attend regular meetings and reviews. This means that parents and professionals receive detailed first-hand information. Children’s care plans are clearly laid out, easy to read and provide a clear insight into each child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is clear about the ethos and model of care that he wishes to promote across the home. For example, staff have received training on sensory play and have continued to embed this in practice as part of a holistic approach to providing care for children. Training is clearly planned, to continue to upskill and develop the staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2702602 4 The staff form a cohesive, positive team. There is evidence of high regard for each other and the children they support. Communication between the staff is clear. This ensures that children are receiving safe and consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals were very positive about the service. One social worker said, ‘They do a great job and offer a lifeline to children and families.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2702602 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure that any allegations made by the child are referred to the LADO in line with policy, and that staff understand the role of the LADO. 10 June 2023

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 10 June 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 2702602 6 understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f))

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager should ensure records of incidents are completed in full, identifying effective practice and responding promptly, in line with policy, when any concerns emerge, including injuries.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff appraisals include the views of other professionals who have worked with staff over the year, and the views of children who have been cared for at the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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: 2702602 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lancashire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lancashire County Council, PO Box 78, Preston PR1 8XJ

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Inspector

Jennifer Quest, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2702602 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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