Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC039248 1 SC039248 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

This is a local authority children’s home. It provides care for up to six children. At the time of the inspection, there were five children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a manager in post who registered with Ofsted in January 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC039248 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/05/2022 Full Good 21/02/2022 Full Inadequate 10/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/07/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC039248 3

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outstanding

Children make significant and sustained progress. They regularly attend school. One child works full time. This is because this is the best plan for their future. Two children are about to start GCSE exams. This would not have happened before coming to live in this home. Due to staff support and encouragement, these children are now on target to achieve.

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outstanding

Interactions between staff and the children show genuine care and affection. Staffing consistency enables children to trust the staff. There is clear mutual respect. Open communication from children means staff understand their needs and views. Staff are responsive and attentive to children’s needs. Children say staff genuinely care for them.

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outstanding

When children make a complaint, they are taken seriously. Children receive an appropriate response, in line with the complaint’s procedure. The manager identifies and follows through on any actions. This assures children that the staff value and listen to them.

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outstanding

Nurturing and accepting care of children is at the heart of the staff’s practice. They create an environment where children feel safe, loved and valued. Staff understand that each child is unique, with their own strengths, challenges and dreams. The staff go above and beyond to provide individualised attention. They take the time to listen, understand and respect the feelings and opinions of each child. This helps children to settle into the home and build relationships within it.

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outstanding

Staff understand the importance of peer relationships. They encourage the children to build sibling-like relationships. This has been important for one child with complex needs. Staff act as good role models, which has supported the child to understand appropriate relationships.

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outstanding

Staff listen to children’s suggestions and offer them a wide range of activities. Children take part in a weekly quiz which is very popular. Staff are creative in ways to engage children. The manager said that children were spending more time with staff and each other. This is testimony to staff’s investment with children.

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outstanding

The model of care used in this home is well embedded and staff are skilled in its use. Staff say this model helps children to form attachments to the staff.

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outstanding

Children are well supported to become independent. There are two flats in the house which are used for children approaching adulthood. Staff support children living in these flats to learn independence skills. The manager has developed a tenancy agreement. This means children develop an understanding of the terms around housing agreements. Staff have supported a child to complete a social Inspection report for children’s home: SC039248 4 housing tenancy course. This has prepared for child for independent living in adulthood.

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outstanding

Staff have built strong relationships with the children. Staff commitment ensures children are safe. Children say they feel safe living in this home.

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outstanding

There is a well-coordinated response when children go missing from the home. All staff are aware of and able to instigate safeguarding procedures. Staff follow the home’s clear safeguarding policies and procedures. Staff work hard to help children to become safe by building relationships with them. This has been effective and risky behaviours have reduced.

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outstanding

Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. This means staff have clear guidance and understand how to respond to incidents. Communication between staff and children ensures that children can talk about their worries. As a result, unsafe behaviour has reduced and there are few incidents. remained low.

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outstanding

Planning and assessment are thorough and include consideration of how staff will meet each child’s needs. When children are new to the home, risk is well considered. This includes assessment of the new child and the other children already living in the home. Staff ensure the children with complex needs receive high-quality care. When children leave the home, they benefit from successful and positive moves.

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outstanding

Staff seek children’s views, which are central to decision-making processes. This empowers children to take part in shaping their own lives. Records and reports always include the voice of the child. This evidence shows the level of personalised care that children receive.

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outstanding

Safe recruitment of staff ensures that only appropriate people work with children. The manager has nurtured and developed the staff team. She provides a consistent approach to caring for children. Staff say the manager recognises their individual strengths. The manager enables staff to develop and use these skills for the benefit of children. This means that staff skills are recognised and they feel valued.

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outstanding

External professionals say the quality of care is exceptional. One social worker said that the development of a child was due to the care of the manager and staff. The social worker said the team go ‘above and beyond’ and genuinely care about the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership and management of the home are exemplary. The registered manager and the staff demonstrate a clear vision. They have a shared commitment Inspection report for children’s home: SC039248 5 to providing the best possible care for the children. Strong leadership is evident in the positive outcomes achieved by the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has embedded effective monitoring and oversight systems. She promotes a culture of continuous improvement. There is clear improvement in reports and assessment. The manager strives to make positive changes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

This inspection identified minor shortfalls, but these had no impact on children. The assessment of the locality and premises lacks detail on locality risks. Also, the workforce development plan requires more information.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has established strong partnerships with relevant professionals. Collaborative working has ensured an integrated approach to meeting the children’s needs. Staff actively engage with schools, healthcare providers and external support services. This enhances the children’s well-being and promotes positive outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Training for staff ensures they can meet the needs of children. A programme of training provides staff with up-to-date knowledge and skills. Staff report that training is of good quality. When children have specific needs, staff engage in bespoke training. This means staff can deliver tailored care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings are reflective. Staff can discuss good practice to provide a consistent approach. Team meetings are a forum for staff to discuss their own emotions and support each other.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have regular supervision sessions which are well planned, reflective and individualised, in line with their own needs and the needs of the children. Staff feel supported by the manager and say she is a strong and motivational leader. This means the staff develop their skills, which provides the best care for the children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC039248 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20) The plan should:

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Recommendations

detail the necessary management and staffing structure, (including any staff commissioned to provide health and education), the experience and qualifications of staff currently working within the staffing structure and any further training required for those staff, to enable the delivery of the home’s statement of purpose;

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Recommendations

detail the processes and agreed timescales for staff to achieve induction, probation and any core training (such as safeguarding, health and safety and mandatory qualifications);

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Recommendations

detail the process for managing and improving poor performance; detail the process and timescales for supervision of practice (see regulation 33 (4) (b)) and keep appropriate records for staff in the home.

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Recommendations

The plan should be updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of staff, including the home’s manager. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 53, paragraph 10.8)  The registered person should ensure that the home is suitably located so that children are safeguarded effectively and can access services to meet needs identified in their relevant plans (see regulations 12(2)(c)). The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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: SC039248 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: PO Box 78, Preston PR1 8XJ

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Inspector

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC039248 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 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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