Children's Home run by Coastal Quality Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home: 2716515 1 Registered provider: Coastal Quality Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

One child was living in the home at the time of this inspection and was spoken to by the inspector.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2716515 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child experienced a positive, planned move into the home. Prior to children moving in, the manager would benefit from assessing if the staff team are able to meet the needs of the child. However, the child has made progress from their starting point and has been supported to have positive experiences.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have built good relationships with the child and have encouraged them to share their views, wishes and feelings about their care and the home. The manager and staff have high aspirations for the child and provide a caring and nurturing environment.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s plans are individualised, understood and followed by staff. This means the child receives consistent care. However, the manager needs to ensure he has all the relevant plans from the local authority to inform and support his care planning.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has access to the organisation’s therapist. This contributes to the child receiving support in relation to their development and emotional well-being. The therapist works with staff to further develop their understanding of the child’s needs.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager works closely with education professionals to secure the best education provision for the child. The child is currently being educated at home with the support of a home tutor while school options are being explored.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote opportunities for the child in the community. This includes the child volunteering at the local animal centre. This supports the child’s education and overall well-being and develops their social skills.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has a good routine and structure in place. Staff support the child to attend routine health appointments and to develop their independence skills in line with their age and individual needs. This helps the child to remain healthy and develop necessary skills in preparation for adulthood.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to see their family members and to remain in contact with them. This encourages the child to keep in touch with people who are important to them and supports their identity and belonging.

p.2

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

The manager and staff have a good understanding and knowledge of the child’s risk- taking behaviours. They follow robust risk management plans to reduce risk.

p.2

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

The child’s risk assessment and behaviour management plan are regularly updated Inspection report for children's home: 2716515 3 to reflect current risks and behaviours. They provide staff with clear guidance on the actions to take to keep the child safe. This helps to ensure the child is safeguarded effectively.

p.2

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

Staff are trained in issues such as child exploitation, online safety, self-harm and allegations, which supports them to manage the child’s behaviours effectively. Due to staff’s knowledge and consistency, and the level of care and attention given to the child, the child’s risks have decreased and they are making progress from their starting point.

p.3

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

On one occasion, staff have had to physically hold the child. This was to ensure the child remained safe. The manager has evaluated the physical intervention. He spoke to all involved and deemed the hold to be necessary and proportionate to keep everyone safe. Staff only use physical restraint as a last resort, and they prioritise techniques to verbally de-escalate situations.

p.3

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

It is rare that the staff have to give the child consequences. When this has happens, the staff and manager need to ensure that the consequence is recorded correctly.

p.3

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

Safeguarding incidents and allegations are managed well. The manager takes appropriate action and communicates effectively with other professionals to ensure that children are safe living in the home. However, there has been a delay in notification of a serious incident and missed notifications to Ofsted. This means that the regulator is unable to have sufficient oversight and scrutiny in a timely manner.

p.3

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

The child said they felt safe living in the home and staff help them to stay safe. The child said, ‘This is the best home I have lived in; I love it here. They care about me and sort things out for me.’

p.3

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

The home is safe and free from hazards. It is decorated to a good standard and is well maintained. The large garden area would benefit from being more inviting for the child to use.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has managed the home since it opened. He holds a relevant childcare qualification and is working towards the relevant management qualification.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they feel supported by the management team. Core staff receive regular supervision and have received a thorough induction. This supports them to discuss children’s progress and consider their own practice and professional development.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager provides new staff with opportunities to receive training and to have shadow shifts before they start working at the home. This helps the manager to ensure that children are cared for by staff who can meet their needs

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff attend regular training and team meetings to develop their skills and enhance Inspection report for children's home: 2716515 4 their practice. Professionals are complimentary about the quality of the care the child receives. A social worker stated, ‘I’ve had a very positive experience with [name of home]. [Name of child] is happy in the home, is safe and well cared for.’

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is high. The inspector observed a positive and warm atmosphere in the home, where staff were engaging and having fun with the child.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective monitoring systems in place, which helps him to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the service. This allows him to take swift action to address any shortfalls as they arise. This is enhanced by feedback the manager receives from relevant professionals and the child. This helps the manager to consistently develop staff practice and the care provided for the child. Inspection report for children's home: 2716515 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.5

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.5

Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)(c))

p.5

Requirement Due date

Specifically, in relation to having the local authority plans and meeting minutes to inform care planning, and to make a robust assessment of the needs of the child and how the staff can meet the needs of the child before the child moves in. 20 August 2023

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

p.5

Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

p.5

Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

p.5

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration; 20 August 2023 Inspection report for children's home: 2716515 6 details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

p.5

Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

p.6

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

p.6

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, in relation to recording consequences.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.6

Requirement Due date

child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

p.6

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.6

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

p.6

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry). (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(c)(d)(i)(ii)) 20 August 2023 Inspection report for children's home: 2716515 7

p.6

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of its children and is a homely, domestic environment. Specifically, make the garden area more appealing and inviting for children to use. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

p.7

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: 2716515 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Coastal Quality Care Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Premier House, Premier Way, Poulton Industrial Estate, Poulton-Le-Fylde FY6 8JP

p.8

Inspector

Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2716515 9 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9