Children's home run by Northwest Child Care Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2688689 1 Registered provider: North West Child 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

One child was living at the home at the time of this 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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2688689 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child moved into the home in a positive way, which was carefully planned. The child is making good progress due to the individualised care they are receiving from the staff. The care provided meets their needs and supports them to develop self- confidence and resilience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a stable and consistent staff team. This means the child is able to build relationships with staff and form positive attachments. The child and staff enjoy a variety of activities together, such as sailing, canoeing, ghyll scrambling and walking.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise the child’s health and well-being and encourage them to attend routine health appointments. The child engages regularly with an emotional health and well-being professional. This ensures that the child’s emotional health and well- being needs are addressed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made good progress in their education and recently sat their exams. They are now enrolled at college to begin their journey to their chosen career. The management team and staff support the child to follow their dreams and have aspirations for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to see their family. Staff have good relationships with family members, which means that the child can maintain relationships with people who are important to them. One family member said, ‘I couldn’t ask for a better home.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Photos of the child and staff are displayed in the home. The child has personalised their bedroom. The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard. The inspector observed positive and caring relationships between staff and the child. The child lives in a happy and relaxed home where staff treat them with dignity and respect.

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

The safety and welfare of the child are at the centre of staff’s practice. The child’s risk management and positive support plans address their vulnerabilities and include clear strategies for staff to follow. This helps staff to keep the child safe.

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

On occasion’s the child has left the home without permission. Staff have followed protocols, worked with the police, and actively searched for the child to ensure their safe return home. The child is offered an independent return to care interview to consider any triggers and new strategies to manage the risk-taking behaviour.

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

On occasions, staff have had to physically intervene to keep the child safe. However, this is done as a last resort. The staff are trained in physical intervention and de- Inspection report for children's home: 2688689 3 escalation. The child says they feel safe at the home. External professionals working alongside the staff and family members share the same view.

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

Staff receive training in child protection and safeguarding practices. They also receive tailored training to meet the needs of the child, such as, deprivation of liberty safeguards, internet safety, global development delay and self-harming behaviours.

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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

Incidents are managed well, and all serious incidents have been notified to Ofsted, which allows the regulator to have sufficient oversight and scrutiny. One professional who works with the child told the inspector the child is happy, safe and cared for well, and the communication from the managers and staff is excellent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has been in post since the home registered with Ofsted. He holds the relevant residential management qualification and has the experience to manage a children’s home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team leads by example and know the child well. They are able to balance management duties alongside spending time with the child. The child has nominated the manager for an award with the Children in Care Council for ‘helping me settle in, putting the right things in place, he is really funny, and looking after me’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular reflective supervision, have personal development plans and receive training in line with procedures. They also attend regular team meetings. 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

Staff feel supported, listened to, respected and valued by each other and the management team. One member of staff said, ‘I feel honoured to be part of the amazing team we currently have at [name of home], though honestly it feels more like an extended family, which is perfect for the environment we try to create.’ Another member of staff said, ‘It’s a proper little family, I couldn’t ask for better.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team understands the service’s strengths and areas for development. They have a development plan that focuses on improving the care for the child. The manager’s monitoring system helps him track patterns and progress. This also allows him to identify any shortfalls as they arise so he can take swift action to address them. Inspection report for children's home: 2688689 4 New staff receive a thorough induction that provides them with a detailed programme of training and guidance in their new role. The organisation must ensure they have enough information from the Local Authority Designated Officer when recruiting staff to verify their integrity and character. This would enhance the safety of the children in their care.

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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.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team has not yet introduced research into the staff’s practice. This would support the staff to be up to date with any new developments, ideas and strategies for further supporting children in their care. Inspection report for children's home: 2688689 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 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

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

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(g)(i)) 1 October 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(a)) 1 October 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) Inspection report for children's home: 2688689 6 Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children's home: 2688689 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: North West Child Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 82 Lowerhouse Lane, Burnley, Lancashire BB12 6JA

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Inspector

Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2688689 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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