Children's Home run by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for children’s home: SC040437 1 SC040437 Registered provider: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by the local authority. It provides care for up to five children. The home operates a short-break service and also provides an outreach service.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2019.

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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

Date of last inspection: 16 February 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC040437 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/02/2023 Full Good 05/07/2021 Full Good 22/10/2019 Full Good 05/03/2019 Interim Not judged Inspection report for children’s home: SC040437 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The short-break service offers children a safe environment where they can enjoy activities and experiences they may not otherwise access. These activities include outdoor pursuits, roller skating, pantomimes and horse riding.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children accessing the short-stay service are also supported with outreach. This service provides additional support outside children’s stays in the home. As a result, children and their families receive ongoing support, advice and advocacy. Parents and social workers described this support as making a ‘significant difference’ to children’s lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Learning and developing new skills is promoted in the home. With the support of staff, children have achieved a number of approved qualifications. This has significantly improved children’s self-esteem and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Although education remains primarily the responsibility of the local authority and parents, staff have made a significant impact supporting children and families. Parents spoke of being ‘empowered’ and how staff had ‘passionately advocated’ for their children. As a result, some children are now attending school and meeting their educational targets.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to develop their skills towards independence and are making good progress in this area. Staff are innovative and encourage group work and peer support. For example, one group has been focusing on mental health and self- esteem. Children gave feedback about the group and how this had supported their self-worth and social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a warm and welcoming space for children to enjoy their short stays. Bedrooms are decorated and furnished to a high standard with personalised touches for children to enjoy, such as teddy bears, night lights and white noise boxes. However, there are areas of the garden that are in of need repair, such as broken fencing.

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

A strong safeguarding culture underpins practice in the home and staff are effective in keeping children safe. Personalised risk plans provide staff with the necessary guidance that they need to confidently promote children’s safety and well-being. Children’s risks and vulnerabilities are thoroughly assessed, regularly reviewed and well recorded.

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

There is a strong multi-agency approach to supporting children. Staff have forged effective links with a number of professionals and children benefit from a variety of Inspection report for children’s home: SC040437 4 approaches. Regular direct work and group sessions are undertaken with children to help them to recognise risk and learn new skills.

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

Effective behaviour management strategies enable staff to support children to manage their frustrations and anxieties. Staff are skilled in using de-escalation techniques to support children’s behaviour. Consequently, there has only been one occasion when it has been necessary to hold a child to keep them safe. The manager has ensured oversight and evaluation of the hold and debriefs are reflective and insightful, providing opportunities for the child and staff to share their experiences.

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

Incidents of children going missing from home are infrequent. When incidents occur, staff know how to respond. They are proactive in searching for children and following children’s individual plans. Children have the opportunity to engage in return home interviews to help safeguard them and to identify potential concerns.

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

The manager has alarms in place on the external doors of the home as a safeguarding measure. However, she has not detailed this monitoring and surveillance measure in either the home’s statement of purpose or in children’s risk plans to reflect the rationale for their use. A requirement has been issued regarding this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates aspirational leadership. She is supported by an experienced and highly motivated staff team. The manager and staff understand the children’s individual needs well and work together to achieve positive outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, improvements have been made in capturing children’s progress. There are suitable systems in place that provide insight into the effect that the service is having on children’s lives. When children leave the service, the manager now evaluates the ending of their short stays, detailing their progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is passionate about ensuring that the staff are skilled and trained to deliver an exceptional level of support which is supported by a theoretical base. There is a strong learning culture across the team. Staff use formal training and research alongside informal team activities to continually develop their practice. As result, children are cared for by staff who are well informed, skilled and committed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers ensure that children’s voices are heard. Children’s participation is promoted, and they are encouraged to share their views on all aspects of their care as well as the annual appraisals of staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision arrangements are well established and provide good opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice. The manager uses this time effectively to reflect on children’s needs, develop staff performance and set objectives for development. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040437 5 The manager has a detailed oversight of the running of the home. She uses effective internal and external monitoring systems to identify any areas for development and to address any issues as they arise. Inspection report for children’s home: SC040437 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 compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

Nothing in paragraph (5) or regulation 46 (review of premises) requires or authorises the registered person to contravene or not comply with—

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Requirement Due date

any other provision of these Regulations; or

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Requirement Due date

any conditions in relation to the registration of the registered person under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000. (Regulation 16 (1) (5) (6)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the use of any form of monitoring and surveillance is clearly detailed in the home’s statement of purpose. 12 December 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

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Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance; and

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d)) 12 December 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC040437 7 In particular, ensure that there is a written plan describing the use of the door alarms and how this will support the safeguarding and well-being of those enjoying overnight stays and working in the home. In addition, that the use of any monitoring or surveillance equipment is agreed by the placing authority in writing at the time of the first stay.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that damaged fence panels are repaired or replaced to prevent any hazard and that improvements are made to the outside space. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: SC040437 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Town Hall, King William Street, Blackburn BB1 7DY

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Inspectors

Kelly McCurdy, Social Care Inspector Zillah Brooks, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC040437 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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