Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC035428 1 SC035428 Registered provider: Lancashire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides short-term care for one child who may have social and emotional difficulties and physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2022.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 25 January 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC035428 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/01/2023 Full Good 18/10/2022 Full Inadequate 07/12/2021 Full Good 17/08/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: SC035428 3

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outstanding

The quality of care and support provided to the child is outstanding. The child has made exceptional progress in many areas. This progress is because the staff go above and beyond. They strive to understand the child. This ensures the outcomes and experiences for this child are excellent.

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outstanding

Staff help the child to manage their own feelings. The child receives good support when feeling upset or anxious. Staff are not afraid to raise issues. They manage this with sensitivity. This has resulted in open discussions about some difficult subjects. This has strengthened relationships and built trust between the child and staff.

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outstanding

Staff have an exceptional understanding of the child’s health needs. Full consideration is given to the impact of a long-term health condition. Staff work closely with health professionals to ensure that care is optimised to promote independence to meet health needs. This has meant that any deterioration in the child’s condition has slowed.

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outstanding

The child receives regular support from a therapist. The therapist works closely with staff. This ensures that staff understand the child’s therapeutic needs. As a result, the child receives care from staff who use a therapeutic approach in their practice. This has further supported positive relationships between staff and the child.

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outstanding

The voice of the child is paramount for the manager and staff. This means the child is developing skills and confidence to share their views. The child influences their care planning. One example of this is supporting the manager in developing child- friendly reports.

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outstanding

Educational progress is exceptional. The child is sitting one GCSE exam a year early. Due to some restrictions, the child is unable to attend school. However, tutors and staff ensure a rigorous educational package. They encourage the child with education and ensure they are having educational experiences outside the classroom environment.

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outstanding

The child enjoys a range of stimulating activities outside the home, including swimming and tennis. The child and staff frequently take part in a variety of activities. This gives the child a range of positive experiences in their day-to-day lives.

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outstanding

High-quality and consistent practice has ensured a significant reduction in risky behaviours. The committed staff have been successful in forming attachments with Inspection report for children’s home: SC035428 4 the child. This means the child is safe. Importantly, the child said they feel safe and cared for.

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outstanding

Detailed risk assessments provide staff with clear guidance on managing self-harm. Risk assessments are dynamic and reflect the child’s changing needs. Therapeutic professionals contribute their expertise to care planning. Staff and professionals are effective in ensuring the child’s safety. Staff take a proactive approach to safeguarding children.

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outstanding

Risky situations are very well managed. Staff act quickly and decisively at all times in the best interests of the child. This is to ensure their ongoing safety. Managers’ oversight of incidents is consistently effective, evident and clear. The manager ensures that the child and staff are debriefed following each incident. Information from these debriefs is used to better understand and mitigate risk. All incidents are recorded to a high standard.

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outstanding

Behaviour management assessments are clear. Staff work in line with the home’s model of practice. Staff rarely use consequences to shape behaviours. The staff provide incentives for positive behaviour. When staff use physical intervention, it is as a last resort and to protect the child. Staff inspire the child to do well and to develop socially respectable behaviours.

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outstanding

Staff recognise the child’s progress and celebrate with them when things go well. Progress is not always linear but staff are very proud of the child and tell them this. This builds the child’s confidence.

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outstanding

The manager and staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding practice. The team has had sound safeguarding training and training specific to the child’s needs. Staff are knowledgeable about a variety of safeguarding matters and keep the child at the centre of their practice. This ensures that the child’s safeguarding needs are explored and understood.

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outstanding

Safe recruitment practice ensures that staff are suitable to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The qualified and experienced registered manager has been in post for over a year. An experienced assistant manager supports her in the operation of the home. Together they have a wealth of experience and knowledge. The manager and staff have high ambitions for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff work well with other professionals. The manager challenges other agencies and escalates any concerns. The manager disputes plans that do not consider the child’s wishes. This means that the child can contribute to planning for their future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has worked hard to understand the child and their needs. The manager shares analysis of the child’s needs with the team. This enables reflective Inspection report for children’s home: SC035428 5 discussions about the model of practice and means the team can consider other strategies and ways of working. This has encouraged an open culture in the team of staff being able to say how they feel.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has nurtured and developed the staff team. This has ensured a consistent approach to caring for the child. Staff always have a positive and nurturing attitude towards the child, regardless of any challenges. This means the child can reflect and move on from more difficult days. A staff member said, ‘Every incident is a learning opportunity.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The diverse staff team celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion. Day-to-day practice reflects these principles.

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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: SC035428 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

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC035428 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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