Children's Home run by Sandcastle Care Limited in Bury

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2582248 1 Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Ltd

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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 owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection, the home was caring for one child.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 27 September 2023

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, 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. 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: 2582248 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

One child has lived in the home for a long period and is settled. One child who has recently moved out of the home to live locally said, ‘I have left with good independence skills and staff continue to support me and I see them as my family.’

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Findings from the inspection

Children develop positive relationships with staff, who have the skills to engage with children and listen to and understand their wishes and feelings. Key conversations are completed with children on topics that are relevant to their presenting needs and risks. These discussions help children to understand how to keep themselves safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff use their positive relationships with children to de-escalate behaviours. The registered manager and staff use team meetings to reflect on the use of consequences. When consequences are used, they are balanced, time limited, and include the views of the child. Consequences are now effectively evaluated by the registered manager. Targeted discussions with the child, following the consequence, support the child’s learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has made improvements to risk assessments. These documents have been updated and reviewed and include all recent incidents and known risks. They also include strategies to support staff to keep children safe and mitigate risks. For one child, this includes a safe word that the child will use to alert staff that they need immediate help.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have been supported by the registered manager and therapist to develop written records to ensure that the language used is therapeutic and child friendly. Weekly children’s meetings capture the child’s voice. Children are now being encouraged to contribute to their records.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents that have happened in the community in relation to one child have had an effective multi-agency safeguarding response. A reduction in free time is in place, with clear curfews that the child has accepted and adheres to.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has improved the management monitoring and auditing processes within the home. This includes the introduction of a monthly internal audit document. This enables the registered manager to monitor the progress that the children are making as well as the quality of care provided to the children by the staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Children spend time with their friends within the community. However, children are not actively encouraged to engage in a hobby or passion to support them to invest in alternative activities. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2582248 3 While some progress has been made in relation to the external conditions of the home, improvements are still needed internally. This is specifically in relation to children’s bedrooms. This will be a repeated requirement. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2582248 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/02/2023 Full Good 20/07/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2582248 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards.’ The registered person must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; and

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)) 1 May 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that each child’s talents and interests are understood and nurtured, with children selecting activities based on their personal preferences and abilities, so far as is reasonable. Staff should also support children to try activities that are ‘new’ for them, where appropriate. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards.’ page 31, paragraph 6.4) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2582248 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Ltd

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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

Nicola Clements, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2582248 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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