Children's home run by Aspris Care North West Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2596541 1 Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. The provider states in the home’s statement of purpose that it provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since October 2020.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2596541 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/07/2022 Full Good 16/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2596541 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. Children are happy and settled. They are making good progress from their starting points. Interactions between staff and children are observed to be warm, respectful and nurturing. Children have developed a sense of belonging in this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a therapist who is an integral part of the team. The therapist supports staff to understand the home’s therapeutic formulation model. Staff are able to discuss how they incorporate this therapeutic learning into their day-to-day practice. This results in consistent care being provided, which supports children who have experienced multiple moves and trauma.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who arrive at the home have experienced disrupted education. The manager works collaboratively with professionals in securing educational provision that meets the child’s individual needs. One child is now making significant progress in their education and is now attending school full time. The manager also looks at what the barriers are to learning for children. For example, the manager advocated for a sensory assessment to be completed for one child to support their learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff create memory books and diaries for children to keep. These include photos of holidays and life events that the children take with them. This memorabilia provides children with a clear picture of their experiences and achievements while they have been living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are consulted individually and as a group. Their views are welcomed, taken into account and considered. For example, one child’s request to have a double bed was acted on. However, the manager needs to ensure that the children’s guide is kept up to date, reflecting current staff.

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

Children have told the inspector that they feel safe. Children have developed secure and trusted relationships with staff. This means children can identify a trusted adult they can talk to about any concerns or worries. One child said, ‘The manager is the best manager and carer I have ever had.’

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

Assessments for the management of risk clearly describe behaviours affecting the children when they are in and out of the home. They detail the management of risks, levels of risk and when risks have been reduced or increased. However, some risk assessments do not contain all known risks, for example vaping and allowing vapes in the house. Furthermore, a child’s risk assessment had not been updated following a serious incident with some family members. A requirement has been made to address these shortfalls. Inspection report for children's home: 2596541 4 There is a well-coordinated multi-agency response when children are missing from home or have unauthorised absences. A professional said that the manager and staff ‘go above and beyond’ to follow the procedures in place and complete welfare checks. There is a clear plan of action in place to reduce further harm or the risk of harm.

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

Staff receive safeguarding training. From speaking with staff on inspection, this training has provided them with the skills and knowledge to care for children safely. Staff were able to discuss the safeguarding process and procedure to follow if a child makes an allegation. Staff also complete training to respond to children’s specific risks. For example, staff completed domestic violence training. This helps staff understand children’s previous experiences before coming into care.

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

Positive behaviour is consistently promoted in the home. Staff collaborate effectively with the home’s therapist to implement the home’s therapeutic model. The use of this model has resulted in a significant reduction in physical interventions for one child. This means that children are receiving consistent help and support to manage and regulate their emotions and feelings.

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

Medication is stored safely. However, the manager should ensure that medication is offered and administered in line with medication guidance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed effectively by a suitably experienced, qualified and dedicated manager. Staff feel well supported in their roles. There is high staff morale, and the home has a stable staff team. One staff member said, ‘The manager is a hands-on manager and would not ask us to do anything they wouldn’t do.’ Children benefit from this positive environment and receive consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision sessions that are practice based, which supports staff to review and reflect on their practice. Team meetings are purposeful and well attended. Staff receive annual appraisals that support their ongoing development. The home invests in its staff’s professional development. For example, practice leads are supported to complete the management level 5 diploma.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff work well with external stakeholders, which is evidenced by the positive feedback from a range of professionals. One professional said, ‘The manager is an excellent advocate, and staff really do care.’ When services have been slow to respond, the manager has challenged these shortfalls effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective monitoring and review systems in place to identify any shortfalls, areas for development and good practice. The physical environment for children is safe and secure, and it protects them from harm. However, the manager must ensure that following health and safety checks, relevant certificates are obtained. Inspection report for children's home: 2596541 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, The 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; and

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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. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(v))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure risk assessments contain all known risks. Also, do not allow children to have vapes in the home. 28 June 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that medicines are administered in line with medical guidance. Records must be kept of the administration of all medication, including occasions when prescribed medication is refused. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)  The registered person should ensure that the children’s guide is up to date to reflect current staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.23).  The registered person should ensure that the home complies with relevant health and safety legislation and in doing so, ensure the electricity certificate is on file. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children's home: 2596541 6

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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: 2596541 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 49 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY3 9DG

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Inspector

Nicola Clements, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2596541 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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