Children's Home run by Safety and Focused Care in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 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

A private provider operates this home. It is registered to provide care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties. There was one child living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/03/2023 Full Good 22/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 3

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outstanding

The child who currently lives in the home has lived there for nearly three years. The child continues to make exceptional progress, is settled and has fantastic relationships with staff. Due to the child’s progress, a previous decision not to move any additional children into the home has been revisited. Following extensive planning, arrangements were made for a new child to move in. Due to circumstances outside the manager’s control, the child did not move into the home and the decision was made by that child’s local authority not to proceed with the child moving in.

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outstanding

The staff are a constant source of positivity and reassurance for the one child that lives in the home. They encourage the child to try new things and to step out of his comfort zone. As a result, the child is constantly having new experiences, such as holidays abroad and visiting restaurants that they have not previously been to. These opportunities have helped to grow the child’s confidence, self-esteem and resilience.

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outstanding

The child describes staff as his family and he says that he loves living at the home. As a result, the child is happy, having fun, expanding his life experiences and building important childhood memories.

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outstanding

The child is doing an apprenticeship and is making remarkable progress. Specifically, the child is now in a management role and has responsibility for other staff. Staff at the home have been integral to this success, giving the child guidance and advice, and, when needed, liaising with the child’s employer to ensure that the child was able to continue to thrive and enjoy his apprenticeship.

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outstanding

The child has created his own thriving business and this provides a supplemental income to his apprenticeship. This is an incredible achievement and will assist him greatly as he prepares to move to live independently.

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outstanding

Staff have developed a comprehensive independence programme. The child has engaged extremely well with this and has learned important skills. Staff are alert to the challenges the child will face when living on his own and are working collaboratively with the child and the child’s local authority to plan for this. This includes increasing the amount of time the child currently spends on his own and consideration for ongoing support once he has moved out.

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outstanding

The child is currently learning to drive and will soon be ready to take his driving test. The child is saving money to purchase his first car. The ability to drive a car will assist the child in maintaining both his apprenticeship and business commitments when he has moved out. Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 4 Staff support and encourage the child to spend time with his family. Staff recognise and understand the importance of maintaining family links and spending good- quality time having fun with family members. This is important for the child’s sense of self and identity.

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outstanding

The child is in good health and has no outstanding health needs. The child is supported by staff to develop healthy habits that he will be able to sustain after leaving the home. For example, the child has learned how to shop for food and make healthy meals. The child is taken on walks and supported to understand health and nutrition.

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outstanding

Staff support the child to give back to the community. This has included attending charity events, donating money and creating hampers for local homeless shelters. As a result, the child is learning how to contribute positively to society.

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outstanding

The home has a warm and cosy atmosphere and feels like a family home. There are pictures of the child throughout the home and his bedroom is personalised. As a result, the child has a real sense of belonging.

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outstanding

Staff have a good understanding of childhood trauma and use this knowledge to inform their care of the child. This is reflected in their thoughtful and caring approach. For example, staff went to great lengths to make Christmas memorable and fun. This included staff and the child wearing matching Christmas pyjamas, having a Christmas Eve treat box and fun antics with an elf toy.

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outstanding

The manager and staff use research-informed practice that helps them understand the child’s behaviours and adjust how they care for him to meet his needs. Staff use a lot of warmth, encouragement and humour to get the best out of the child. The child’s confidence, self-esteem and resilience have significantly improved while living at the home.

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outstanding

The child has been involved in creating detailed plans regarding his care. The child attends multi-agency meetings and staff support him to share his views and wishes about the care he receives. The child has been involved in identifying the best strategies to help keep him calm if he becomes anxious or worried.

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outstanding

The child’s behaviour is managed extremely well. Staff use positive reinforcement and incentives to encourage good behaviour. Staff have an excellent understanding of the child’s needs, and consequences for unwanted behaviour are rarely needed.

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outstanding

Staff communicate well with each other and provide consistent care for the child. Bespoke training ensures that they are skilled in meeting the child’s needs. The manager works with staff to help them understand what is working well for the child and to reflect on areas for development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 5 Staff are proactive in sourcing external agency support to meet the child’s needs. Staff use research tools to support their understanding of the child’s needs. For example, staff sourced external therapy due to the impact of childhood trauma on the child’s daily lived experiences. This means children receive the right support at the right time to meet their individual needs.

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outstanding

Staff have good knowledge of safeguarding issues and thresholds for sharing information. Professionals said that staff’s communication with them is excellent. Staff are actively involved in care-planning and have information readily available to share. The manager carries out regular safeguarding supervisions with staff, which test their safeguarding knowledge and ensure that they know how to respond effectively to any safeguarding concerns that may arise.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has been in post since July 2021. The manager is an inspirational, confident and ambitious leader. She knows the child extremely well and understands his needs. She has high expectations and enthusiasm for the child’s progress and achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent oversight of the home. She has a proactive approach and ensures that all plans used to manage and mitigate risk are regularly reviewed and updated. She undertakes regular reviews of the child’s progress and considers any patterns or themes. As a result, the child is supported effectively in line with his plans and he is being helped to stay safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager communicates very well with partner agencies. She advocates for the child and escalates concerns when the child’s needs are not being met. Professionals said that the staff are providing excellent care for the child. An independent reviewing officer said, ‘They have gone above and beyond in advocating for [name of child] and ensuring that [name of child]’s needs are understood and met.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular, good-quality supervision. Staff have plenty of opportunities to discuss and reflect on their care of the child. Staff do quizzes to test their knowledge and are given scenarios to think through and discuss with each other. Any shortfall in practice is raised in supervision and staff are given clear guidance on their tasks to complete.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff’s learning and development are a priority. Staff have individual development plans that identify key strengths and areas for further development. Staff are provided with a wide range of training. As a result, staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to promote the safety and welfare of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel supported by their manager and describe ‘loving’ their jobs. A member of staff said, ‘[Name of manager] has made me feel like a really valued member of the team and it is a pleasure to work for her.’ The staff team is very enthusiastic and passionate about offering excellent care to the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 6

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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: 2631136 7

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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: 54 Wood Street, Lytham St. Annes FY8 1QG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Tereasa Denby-Wallis

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Inspector

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 8 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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