Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1223681 1

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Sandcastle Care Limited

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post has been vacant since November 2022. A new interim manager was appointed in April 2023. At the time of the visit, they were resubmitting an application to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged to be inadequate at the last full inspection on 18 and 19 April 2023. Significant shortfalls were identified in several areas.

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This monitoring visit

Following the full inspection, a decision was made to restrict admissions to the home. This monitoring visit was to check the provider’s compliance with the restriction notice served on 24 April 2023.

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This monitoring visit

No children have been admitted since the restriction notice was served. Since the last inspection visit in April 2023, the manager has made progress in all areas.

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This monitoring visit

Relationships have improved, and the child is supported to understand the importance of maintaining good healthcare and education.

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This monitoring visit

Sufficient measures are in place to protect children and mitigate risk. An individual risk assessment and positive behaviour support plan are in place, demonstrating the prevention and intervention strategies to be implemented by staff. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1223681 2 The inspector found that, in practice, staff are taking responsive action to manage risk and educate the child on risk-taking behaviours through key-work sessions and updating risk assessments as incidents occur.

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This monitoring visit

The child now understands different forms of bullying and what effect it might have on someone. Staff have received training to identify and manage incidents of bullying, children going missing from care, and allegations.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have updated their knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities in regard to safeguarding practices and the home’s policies and procedures.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has implemented new systems for monitoring and reviewing the service. This has had a positive impact on the running of the home. However, there are some minor shortfalls identified with the system, but they have had no impact on the child living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The home is in the process of being redecorated and furnished to make it a pleasant place for children to live in. The home was safe and free from hazards. There are suitable arrangements for staff to sleep at the home. The provider has made appropriate improvements to provide care for children.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has recruited a new member of staff who is due to join the team on completion of safer recruitment checks. Permanent members of staff cover the rota to provide consistency for the child living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has reviewed the home’s induction process and made amendments to ensure that new staff joining the team are fully skilled and trained to meet the needs of children in their care.

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This monitoring visit

Following the visit, a case review was held. The number of concerns that led to the restriction of accommodation were no longer evident and the notice of restriction was allowed to expire.

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This monitoring visit

The requirements set at the previous inspection were considered at this monitoring visit and two requirements were restated, which will be considered at the next full inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1223681 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/04/2023 Full Inadequate 11/10/2022 Full Good 11/11/2021 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1223681 4

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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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; and

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that children’s bedrooms, ‘cinema room’, and the ‘selfie’ room are regularly maintained. 9 July 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—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; 9 July 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1223681 5 ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications, and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

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;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(h))

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1223681 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspectors

Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Claire Deary, Social Care Inspector Manager Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1223681 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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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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