Children's home run by North Lakes Children’s Service Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457254 1 SC457254

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Registered provider: North Lakes Children’s Service Limited

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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 operated by a private provider. It offers care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2019 and is experienced and qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

Four children were living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Inspection date: 21 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 27 September 2023

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Inspection date: 21 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 21 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, 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: SC457254 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

Children have trusting relationships with staff. This enables one child to discuss sensitive issues with the people who care for them. The child feels that their views are taken seriously and are responded to well. The child said, ‘Someone is always there for you and to reassure you.’

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have carried out extensive work with children to increase their understanding of risk and how to keep themselves safe. Agencies such as the child-centred policing team have been invited into the home to talk to children. As a result, there have been fewer occasions where children have displayed risk-taking behaviours in recent months.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have carried out work with an older child around safer relationships. The child has not wanted to engage with the support group identified by the manager as they do not feel it suits their needs. However, a referral for further work with a specialised service to ensure that the child’s views are considered and acted on has not been made .

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Findings from the inspection

The manager provides timely and detailed notifications about safeguarding concerns, which show that appropriate steps are taken in a timely way. There are detailed, up-to-date risk assessments that provide clear steps for staff to follow to ensure that any concerns are acted on quickly. This is supported by regular and robust room searches, mobile phone monitoring and health check-ins with one child, who understands the reasons for these being carried out.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager took immediate action to address a conflict relating to a staff member, which included moving them to work in another home. The manager considered the effect on the children in the home by providing them with age-appropriate explanations about the move and an opportunity to say goodbye.

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Findings from the inspection

Records of incidents and follow-up actions are detailed. The deputy manager recently carried out interactive training with staff about the importance of record- keeping, with scenarios tailored to the children in their care. Staff have received specialist training to ensure that they are knowledgeable about issues affecting children and better able to respond in an appropriate way.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff team works well with support staff, such as the company nurse and therapist, placing authorities and health services, to provide better outcomes for children. There is a clear process in place for all staff about how to escalate any concerns they have about the timeliness of responses from placing authorities. As a result, the team and one placing authority advised that their partnership work is more responsive. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457254 3 Staff’s understanding of risk management is regularly checked in team meetings and supervision sessions. Staff are also supported to reflect on their practice during regular team sessions with the company therapist. The therapist’s view is that the strength of the relationships between staff and children has resulted in consistency for children during difficult times and reduced any potential negative impact on children’s self-worth.

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Findings from the inspection

The team continues to receive positive feedback from professionals. This includes monthly reports from the independent person, who has not made any recommendations since the last inspection. The placing authority for one child reported that it has regular multi-agency meetings with staff to consider concerns and to plan the next steps, noting that communication is ‘fantastic’.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has worked with internal quality assurance staff to ensure that they have responded to the concerns raised at the last inspection. As a result, the requirements and recommendation previously raised have been fully addressed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457254 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/01/2023 Full Good 30/09/2021 Full Outstanding 07/01/2020 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457254 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they take the initiative in identifying specialist services or agencies that could provide support to children in their care, specifically around harmful or risk-taking behaviours and developing healthy, safe relationships. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.7) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457254 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: North Lakes Children’s Service Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Malvern View, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 4AD

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Inspector

Andrea Foreman, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457254 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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