Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC440309 1 SC440309

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Registered provider: Lancashire County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a local authority and is registered to provide care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were four children living in the home at the time of this visit.

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This monitoring visit

At a full inspection on 22 August 2023, the home was judged to be inadequate. Following the inspection, Ofsted issued five compliance notices under section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. These related to regulation 6, the quality and purpose of care standard, regulation 12, the protection of children standard, regulation 13, the leadership and management standard, regulation 21, privacy and access, and regulation 25, fire precautions.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to monitor the action taken by the provider to meet the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

There have been significant improvements to the decor and furnishings in the home. All communal areas have been redecorated and new furniture provided. Locks on internal doors have been removed. These changes mean children now live in a homely, welcoming environment and have access to all communal areas in their home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC440309 2 Children’s bedrooms are personalised, clean and tidy. All children have suitable furniture and curtains in their bedrooms. When furniture has been damaged, staff quickly replace it.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s risk assessments are individualised, detailed and comprehensive. They now contain clear strategies with directions to help staff to reduce risks to children. The manager and staff have continued to work closely with professionals to support the management of risk. As a result, risks associated with one child have reduced.

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This monitoring visit

Staff carry out regular direct work with children, which is purposeful and reflective. This work has been effective and staff have successfully explored risk with children. As a result of this, staff now have a greater understanding of individual children’s risks.

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This monitoring visit

When there are concerns around staff practice, the manager responds to these appropriately. Identified learning is shared with the staff team, which helps to support and develop practice. However, the responsible individual does not always share concerns promptly with local safeguarding partners.

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This monitoring visit

Most children attend college; they are engaging and making progress. However, when children are not in education, there are no clear plans in place for them to take part in structured activities.

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This monitoring visit

Before new staff start work at the home, they are suitably vetted. The manager has ensured that gaps in employment histories are scrutinised. This means that only the most suitable people work with children.

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This monitoring visit

Health and safety, including fire safety, is managed effectively in the home. Risk assessments are up to date and fire doors are not being wedged open. This ensures suitable preventative measures are in place to help reduce the spread of fire.

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This monitoring visit

Supervision processes have improved. Staff are now receiving practice-based supervision. Supervisions enable staff to reflect on the quality of children’s care. This supports the development of good practice.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has clear systems and processes in place to ensure that she has effective oversight of the home. The responsible individual now completes an audit tool when they visit the home. This means that senior managers can quickly identify any shortfalls and areas for improvement.

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This monitoring visit

A case review was held following this visit at which it was decided that the compliance notices had been met. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC440309 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/08/2023 Full Inadequate 21/03/2023 Full Good 30/11/2021 Full Outstanding 30/07/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC440309 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, 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 with the given timescales.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

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

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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”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

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)(vi)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that incidents of restraint are evaluated with scrutiny, taking into consideration any learning outcomes that can be implemented in children’s risk management plans or to support the development of staff.

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Requirement Due date

Also, the registered person must ensure that when consequences are used, they are subject to scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair, and that they are also restorative in nature and not punitive. 3 November 2023

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider is an organisation, the organisation must ensure that the responsible individual undertakes such continuing professional development as is necessary to ensure that the responsible individual has the skills needed for supervising the management of the home. 3 November 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC440309 5 (Regulation 29 (2))

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally.

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(v)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that when children are not in education, there is clear structure and routine in place at the home to support learning and maintain confidence. 3 November 2023

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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: SC440309 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lancashire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: PO Box 78, Preston PR1 8XJ

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Inspector

Kimmy Feeley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC440309 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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