Children's Home run by Brinscall Care Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 1 Registered provider: Brinscall Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, four children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2022.

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Inspection date: 18 January 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 18 January 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the same four children have remained living at the home. They receive individualised, nurturing care from staff, which results in positive and trusting relationships. The staff know the children well and are therefore quickly aware if they need additional emotional support. One of the children said, ‘The staff have our best interests at heart. There’s not one person I don’t feel OK talking to.’

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Findings from the inspection

Children are supported whenever possible to take safe and appropriate risks, in line with their care plans and developmental needs. Staff complete risk management plans for each child. This enables staff to identify and understand children’s risks and to maintain consistency when protecting children from harm.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff regularly call and visit children who spend time in the community with family and friends to enquire about their welfare. The manager works with other agencies to identify and make plans to reduce any new risks.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been four missing-from-home incidents since the last inspection. Staff take swift action to ensure that children who are missing from home return safely. Staff adhere to missing-from-home protocols, following children to encourage them to return. Records are well maintained and reflect a proactive approach by staff to achieve the child’s safe return to the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children talk positively about the support that they have received from staff. They say that they know how to raise any concerns with staff and are happy to do so. Children and staff were seen to have positive relationships.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers use door sensors on children’s bedroom doors and the exits at the home are locked as a safeguarding measure. However, managers do not regularly review or evaluate the need for these measures. As a result, this may unnecessarily limit children’s privacy and access in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff undertake a broad range of good-quality training on safeguarding matters. Safeguarding themes are further explored with staff through supervision and team meetings. As a result, staff know how to recognise, report and act on any safeguarding concerns that they may have.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced and is creating better monitoring systems. This is to ensure that she has a good overview of the home and the progress children make. She has high expectations and aspirations for the children in her care and leads by example. The requirements raised at the last inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/07/2021 Full Good 17/12/2019 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (b)(c)(i)(ii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that restrictions are only used to safeguard children when necessary and in response to a specifically identified need, in accordance with this regulation. This specifically relates to bedroom door sensors and the locks on the front and back doors, as they prevent easy exit from the home. 29 February 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brinscall Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 27, Barnfield House, Sandpits Lane, Accrington Road, Blackburn BB1 3NY

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Catherine Chrystal-Clarke

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Inspector

Jennifer Quest, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2534436 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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