Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 1223681 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 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 and has applied to be registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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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: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following a full inspection on 18 April 2023, a decision was made to restrict admissions to the home. A monitoring visit took place on 31 May 2023, and 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. Inspection report for children’s home: 1223681 2

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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: 1223681 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff provide the child with individualised care. The child’s plans are understood and followed by staff. The manager advocates on behalf of the child to ensure their needs are met, and they receive consistent care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and the child enjoy doing activities together, such as boxing, recording song lyrics and having days out. This supports the staff to build positive relationships with the child. The child said, ‘It’s been amazing to be honest,’ when asked about the quality of care offered in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff listen to the child’s views, wishes and feelings. This helps the child to feel a sense of value and belonging. The manager ensures that the child’s wishes are actioned and are central to the child’s care planning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager is working with the child’s social worker to help the child build and maintain relationships with family members and people who are important to them. This supports the child to keep their sense of identity and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has recently finished their education and work placement for the summer term. They have gained qualifications that have supported their move on to the higher-level course in September 2023. This is good progress which supports the child with their aspirations for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health needs are prioritised. They are registered with local health services and attend routine appointments. A clinical team supports the manager and staff to ensure they can meet the child’s emotional health and well-being needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard. The child is encouraged to have a choice in the decoration of their home and bedroom so they can personalise their own space. The home has photos on display of the child growing up, and their artwork is framed on the walls. The child is supported to look after their pet rabbit and goldfish.

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

The child’s individual risk assessment, safety plan and positive behaviour support plan are regularly reviewed and updated. They help staff understand the risks to the child. The risk assessment provides staff with direction around how to reduce and manage any risks to help keep the child safe.

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

Physical intervention is used as a last resort. The staff use a range of other strategies to try and support the child in crisis. Strategies include talking to the child, listening to how they feel and giving some space. This has meant staff have not had to physically hold the child to keep them safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 1223681 4 The child’s risk-taking behaviours of self-harm and going missing from care have reduced. This is due to staff being consistent, developing a positive relationship and completing work with the child on keeping themselves safe, self-harm, online safety and managing their emotions.

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

Staff talk to the child to help them understand their thoughts and feelings. They also help them to reflect on any incidents or risk-taking behaviours. The manager takes appropriate action and communicates effectively with other professionals to ensure the child is safe living in the home.

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

The staff understand and are confident in following procedures to protect the child. The staff complete safeguarding training and additional training on risks such as self-harm, child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and online safety.

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

External professionals are complimentary about the quality of the care the child receives and gave positive feedback. A social worker said, ‘Everybody is passionate about [name of child]; they are making good progress, and [name of child] feels safe and happy in the home.’

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

The home is clean, tidy, in good repair and free from hazards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in post since April 2023 and has applied to register with Ofsted. He holds a relevant childcare and management qualification. He is passionate and dedicated to his role. He leads the team by example and knows the child well. He is able to balance his management duties alongside spending time with the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular reflective supervision and training in line with procedures. They also receive additional training that is tailored to meet the individual needs of the child. This allows the manager and staff to reflect on their practice to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the service’s strengths and areas for development. He has a development plan that focuses on improving the care for the child. The manager’s monitoring system helps him track patterns and progress. His tracking system allows him to capture any shortfalls as they arise so he can take swift action to address them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff receive a thorough induction that provides them with a detailed programme of training and guidance in their new role. Not all staff have had their performance formally appraised in line with regulation. This means some staff do not have clear goals, objectives and aspirations to work towards. Inspection report for children’s home: 1223681 5 Staff who were spoken to were very positive about the support they receive from the manager. One member of staff said, ‘I’m confident in [name of manager’s] abilities.’ Another member of staff said, ‘I look forward to coming to work.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager invites independent scrutiny of the home on a monthly basis. The independent person gives a clear overview of the service and any areas for development. The manager is proactive in addressing any recommendations made. Requirements that were raised at the last inspection have been met. Inspection report for children’s home: 1223681 6

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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 registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that all employees have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised once per year, incorporating feedback from other staff members. 3 September 2023

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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: 1223681 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: The Forge, Church Street West, Woking, Surrey GU21 6HT

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Inspector

Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1223681 8 regulates and inspects 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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