Children's home run by Safety and Focused Care

Inspection report for children’s home: 2728682 1 Registered provider: Safety and Focused 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 operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties. The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2728682 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. Children experience planned moves into the home. The manager builds relationships with children’s family members and previous carers. Family members say that staff are supportive and understand the children’s and family’s needs. Children receive a handbook to help them to understand the home. This helps to reassure them and enables them to prepare questions about the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are happy and are making significant progress. One child described how staff ‘get me’ and said, ‘This is the first time I have been able to call somewhere home.’ Staff model acts of kindness. Children’s improved manners reflect this. These life skills help children to develop and maintain relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage in education. Where there are shortfalls in education provision, the manager advocates and seeks specialist support. Children are making steady educational progress. Dedicated staff encourage children to maintain routines to support their development and learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s physical and emotional needs are met. Specialist services aid children’s emotional health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a home that is decorated and furnished to a good standard. There are photos of the children and staff, which creates a warm homely atmosphere.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff build excellent relationships with partner agencies. Staff understand individual children’s behaviour and use this knowledge to keep them safe. Staff and children have trusting, respectful relationships, which supports open communication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use incentives to support routines and boundaries. Direct work sessions help children with their decision-making and learning.

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

Staff are effective in managing incidents when children are missing from the home. This has led to a reduction of incidents. Staff understand the reasons why children go missing. They talk with children to support them in managing their feelings. The manager speaks with family members and professionals to improve safer care. When children return to the home, a familiar independent person carries out ‘safe and well’ checks. Consistency of external agencies helps children to build relationships. As a result, children develop trusting relationships that enable honest conversations.

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

Children know how to make a complaint. Staff provide regular opportunities for children to discuss their wishes and feelings. When children have worries about Inspection report for children’s home: 2728682 3 family members, they go to staff. Staff offer reassurance and source independent advocacy to ensure children’s rights.

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

Staff respond to children’s concerns. The manager and staff follow safeguarding procedures. Staff show empathy and understanding to children. Staff check in with children following incidents. This reminds children that the staff care.

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

Records of physical interventions are reflective and include debriefs with staff and children. The manager acknowledges the need for development to support de- escalation. The manager has identified training to support staff’s understanding of behaviour management.

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

The manager and staff know and understand each child’s risks. Risk management plans give clear guidance on how to best help children. Staff monitor plans to ensure that they reflect the ‘here and now’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The experienced and organised manager provides effective support to the dedicated team of staff. The manager promotes staff consistency. All members of staff have received face-to-face mandatory training and continue to develop their knowledge through online training. The manager is currently undertaking attachment and therapeutic parenting training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are reflective and support new ways of working. The manager holds discussions with professionals to maintain placement stability. Decision-making is child-centred. The manager ensures that staffing ratios meet children’s needs. This results in children feeling safe and secure.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. Supervision sessions are reflective and help to identify areas for development. Staff who are in their probationary period receive extra support and a plan of learning. Senior leaders recognise the skills and experience of staff, which leads to staff progression. This endorses feelings of value and enhances motivation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff rotas ensure that new staff shadow experienced staff. Shift patterns are child- centred. This enhances consistency of care and improves relationships between staff and children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2728682 4

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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: 2728682 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Safety and Focused Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 22 Alston Avenue, Thornton-Cleveleys FY5 2NE

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Inspector

Sally Hallwood, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2728682 6 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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