Children's home run by Lytham Care Limited in Knowsley

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482340 1 SC482340

p.1

Registered provider: Lytham Care Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to one child with social and emotional difficulties and/or special educational needs.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, no children were living in the home.

p.1

Inspection date: 19 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 19 September 2023

p.1

Inspection date: 19 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 19 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: SC482340 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The home provides a welcoming and homely environment. At the time of the inspection, no children were living in the home. The child moved to semi- independent provision in February 2024 after living in the home for almost a year.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff know the child well and speak warmly and knowledgeably about them. They build good and meaningful relationships with the child. One external professional said that the staff gained the child’s trust, and ‘understood’ them. This enables the staff to respond appropriately to the child and promote their welfare.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff help the child to maintain good physical health. The child is encouraged to attend all their health appointments and engage with specialist support. Individual work is completed with the child about sexual health, vitamins and taking medication. This helps the child make informed choices about their physical and emotional well-being.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The home’s therapist supports the staff to deliver person-centred care to the child. This helps to ensure that the child is cared for by resilient and well-informed staff who can meet their individual needs and keep them safe.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child is supported to engage in education. Following the last inspection, a weekly education and activity planner was put in place for the child. Staff helped the child write a curriculum vitae and secure a part time job.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the staff continued to support the child to carry out daily tasks independently, for example cooking, cleaning, shopping and budgeting. Staff supported the child to be more confident in the community and travel on public transport.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff supported the child to experience a positive and smooth transition to their new home. Staff helped the child purchase items for their home and settle in. One external professional said that the staff provided the child with ‘excellent support’.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Individual assessments of risk are in place and updated regularly. They include clear strategies and expectation for staff on how to manage the risks. However, some assessments are lengthy in parts and include an extensive chronology of events. Staff spoken to during the inspection demonstrated a good understanding of the child’s vulnerabilities.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child knows how to complain. Their complaints are treated seriously and are responded to clearly. Action is taken in a timely way. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482340 3 Positive behaviour is consistently promoted. Staff use effective de-escalation techniques, and there have not been any physical interventions. This helps create a positive environment where the child can flourish.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Searches of bedrooms are carried out sensitively by staff. All searches are recorded appropriately. The reasons for the search are clear and there is management oversight.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

An interim manager is in post. However, a registered manager from within the company intends to dual manage the home when a child moves in. A new role has been created for a deputy manager.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Monitoring and review systems have been improved since the last inspection, and there is an internal monthly audit. This means that the manager can identify and act on shortfalls in a timely way to improve the quality of care that the child receives.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Records of incidents are detailed, and management evaluation is evident. However, the manager did not notify Ofsted of a serious incident relating to the child. This means that the regulator has no initial oversight of what action staff take to keep the child safe.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Team meetings take place regularly, which allow for feedback and discussion. The staff’s views are listened to, and their ideas are considered when reviewing any changes to care practices.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff receive training in topics such as internet safety, attachment and developmental trauma, and the PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) model of care. This provides staff with a good knowledge and skill set to safeguard and support the child.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Most of the requirements raised at the previous inspection have been met; however, one has been reinstated and will be reviewed at the home’s next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482340 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/03/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness 15/05/2019 Full Good 25/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482340 5

p.4

Statutory requirement

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.5

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.5

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

p.5

Requirement Due date

is instigated; or concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.5

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 30 April 2024

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s individual assessments of risk are streamlined so that they are easier to follow and reflect the child s current situation. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 42, paragraph 9.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482340 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lytham Care Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lytham Care, 400 Longmoor Lane, Liverpool L9 9DB

p.6

Inspector

Dawn Walker, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC482340 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7