Children's Home run by Creative Living Care in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2731482 1 Registered provider: Creative Living Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private organisation operates this children’s home. The home provides care for up to three children who may have social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children lived at 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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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: 2731482 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well supported by the manager and staff, who hold them in high regard. Children have positive relationships with the staff, which are built on trust and affection. Staff show a good knowledge and understanding of the children’s individual needs. This helps staff to meet the children’s needs well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have created a safe environment where children feel listened to and can express their wishes and feelings. The home is decorated nicely and has a relaxed atmosphere. Children’s bedrooms are personalised. Children’s trophies are displayed in the lounge. This gives the children a sense of belonging. One social worker said, ‘The home is very homely, and I am always made to feel so welcome.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with people that are important to them. Staff maintain good communication with children’s families. This means children feel safe to maintain relationships. One social worker said, ‘Staff contacted [name of family member], which was really good and opened up communication.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children can take part in a range of activities, both inside and outside of the home. Activities include go-karting, bowling, gaming and baking. This means children can pursue their interests, have fun and develop new skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff teach children to become more independent and develop new skills, depending on their age and understanding. Staff support children to wash their laundry and get involved in cooking. This means children develop age-appropriate knowledge to prepare them for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. Staff encourage children to attend health appointments. They are effective in enabling a child to manage their diabetes. A medical professional said, ‘[Name of child]’s diabetes is the best controlled it has ever been for a very long time. Staff are really encouraging and supportive to [name of child].’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is good information-sharing between the staff and children’s education providers. Children’s education is promoted, and there has been improved attainment and attendance. The manager remains persistent in their attempt to engage children in education. However, there is a lack of structure to the day when children are not in school. This means that there are missed opportunities to promote education in the home.

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

Staff take the time to listen to children and help them to understand their emotions. This helps children to manage their behaviours more effectively. There has been one safeguarding incident at the home since the last inspection. Safeguarding incidents are managed with relevant agencies effectively. Staff reflected with the child Inspection report for children’s home: 2731482 3 following the incident and gained an understanding of how to avoid any further incidents.

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

Staff hold children to keep them safe as a last resort. There has been one physical intervention, which was proportionate and necessary. Trained staff intervened when de-escalation efforts were unsuccessful. The manager ensured that debriefs for the child and staff took place and reviewed the incident record. This review was effective in identifying alternative strategies.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. However, in the event of a child going missing, staff have a good understanding of the missing- from-home procedures.

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

Positive recognition and praise outweigh negative consequences. The manager evaluates consequences, ensuring that they are proportionate and restorative.

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

Children have individual risk assessments that are reviewed and updated by managers and staff. Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities and take time to talk to children and educate them about risk. Staff use these discussions to increase children’s understanding and safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is working towards gaining a leadership and management qualification. The manager and staff speak about the children with warmth and enthusiasm. Children are advocated for in all aspects of their lives, including education and care planning. One social worker said, ‘Staff really advocate for [name of child] and seek regular support for [name of child].’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff maintain good levels of communication with other professionals. Professionals speak highly of the manager and staff. One social worker said, ‘There is really good communication; staff always keep me up to date.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision that is in line with the home’s statement of purpose. This provides opportunities for the staff to reflect on and develop their practice and ways to support the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are provided with regular mandatory training as well as other identified areas of training. This ensures that staff have the skills to support children’s individual needs. One member of staff said, ‘The training has been helpful in the role.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they feel supported by the manager. One member of staff said, ‘[Name of manager] is a massive support to us all, staff and children and is also there to help develop us professionally and personally.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development of the home. The manager has good oversight of children’s progress and any changes needed. Management oversight and monitoring of the home are effective. Inspection report for children’s home: 2731482 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff support children to engage in suitable structured activities when they are not in school. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)

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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: 2731482 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Creative Living Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 5b Lincoln House, 5 The Crossroads Business Centre, Freckleton Street, Kirkham, Preston PR4 2SH

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michael Swarbrick

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Inspector

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2731482 6 regulates and inspects 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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