Children's home run by Aspris Care North West Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1240573 1 Sandcastle Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in December 2016 and is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this visit, there was no registered manager in post, and three children were living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged to be inadequate at the last full inspection on 12 and 13 December 2023. Significant shortfalls were identified in several areas.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to consider the provider’s progress in meeting the requirements and recommendations raised at the full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

No children have moved into the home since the full inspection. The same three children have remained living in the home. Good progress has been made to address the shortfalls identified at the full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Improvements have been made with children’s education. Two children, who are not accessing full-time education, now have an education plan in place and enjoy learning independence skills and taking part in educational activities with the staff at the home and in the community.

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This monitoring visit

Sufficient measures are in place to protect children and mitigate risk. Individual risk assessments and positive behaviour support plans are in place for children, demonstrating the prevention and intervention strategies to be implemented by staff. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1240573 2 Staff take responsive action to manage risk. They educate children about risk-taking behaviours through key-work sessions and regularly update risk assessments and behaviour support plans.

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This monitoring visit

On one occasion, a consequence has been given to a child. Although the consequence was proportionate, the manager failed to speak to the member of staff who imposed the consequence in a timely manner. This is a missed opportunity for reflection and consideration of the effectiveness of the measure.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have now received training in substance misuse, safeguarding and child protection. They have also completed adequate fire safety and fire marshal training. This means that staff can now identify and manage fire risks and meet the children’s needs.

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This monitoring visit

New systems for monitoring and reviewing the service have been implemented. This has had a positive impact on the running of the home and supports the manager to address any shortfalls in a timely manner.

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This monitoring visit

The home is in the completion stages of being redecorated and furnished to make it a pleasant place for children to live. The home has undergone extensive work to address the risks identified in the fire risk assessment. The home is safe and free of hazards. The provider has made appropriate improvements to provide good-quality care to children.

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This monitoring visit

An interim deputy manager has been appointed. The manager has ensured that safer recruitment checks have been carried out. However, the manager has not ensured that the deputy manager has received an induction to the home. Permanent members of staff cover the rota to provide consistency for the children living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have not had their fitness to perform their duties annually appraised. This is a missed opportunity for the manager to assure himself that the staff remain skilled and knowledgeable to meet the needs of the children and for the staff members to reflect on their practice.

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This monitoring visit

Following the visit, a case review was held. During the visit, 12 requirements raised at the previous inspection were considered, along with two recommendations. Of the 12 requirements, 11 were considered to be met, along with both recommendations. One requirement is restated, and one recommendation has been raised. These will be considered at the next full inspection Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1240573 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/12/2023 Full Inadequate 21/03/2023 Full Good 15/06/2021 Full Good 23/07/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1240573 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (1)(a) (4)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that new staff have an induction to the home and all staff have their fitness to perform their duties appraised annually.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 10 March 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences used to address poor behaviour are restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. The consequence should be discussed with the user of the measure within 48 hours of the consequence being given. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1240573 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Forge, Church Street West, Woking, Surrey GU21 6HT

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Inspector

Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1240573 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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