Children's home run by Care Afloat Ltd in West Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC006014 1 SC006014

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Registered provider: Care Afloat 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 and provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children's home

The manager of this home was registered with Ofsted in April 2014.

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Information about this children's home

Date of last inspection: 7 November 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: SC006014 2

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Findings from the inspection

The inspector 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

Staff have created a trusting and secure environment where the child feels confident to speak to them if they have any worries or concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s views and wishes are listened to and promoted. When a request from the child is not possible it is clearly explained to the child the reasons behind the decision. Staff are supporting the child’s move towards independence by encouraging them to take age-appropriate risks. The child’s plans have recently been reviewed to increase their responsibility with independent time away from the home and changes to pocket money arrangements.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been an improvement in the physical appearance of the home. The lounge has benefited from full decoration and new furniture. In addition to this, there is new flooring in the kitchen and hallway. This has created a warm and welcoming home environment for the child to live in.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the child’s individual risks, these are detailed within dedicated plans which give clear information, guidance and strategies for staff to follow. Plans are frequently updated; staff consistently follow procedures detailed within these plans.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff work closely with the therapeutic team to identify strategies and provide support and guidance to the child. As a result, there has been a significant reduction in occasions when the child has self-harmed. When this has occurred, the child has spoken to the staff about it so they can offer suitable medical attention and emotional support to the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no occasions when the child has been missing from home. However, there is not a clear missing from home protocol for staff to follow should the child go missing from home.

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Findings from the inspection

Direct work sessions are frequent and now cover topics that are associated to the children’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. In the main, this is conversational and takes place across the whole staff team. However, when needed it is completed in response to a significant event and is targeted to a specific topic.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager now has suitable systems in place to ensure that internal monitoring of the home identifies areas for improvement and to ensure that she has oversight of significant events. However, the independent person’s reports have not been sent to Ofsted which prevent the regulator from monitoring the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Training has taken place with the therapy team which is bespoke to the child living in the home, however there are still some staff who have not completed training Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC006014 3 specific for the child’s needs such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder training (ADHD). This requirement is restated.

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Findings from the inspection

Supervision and team meetings take place regularly, these are a development opportunity for staff. In addition to this, staff have now also had their annual performance appraisals completed. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC006014 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/11/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/11/2022 Full Good 24/08/2021 Full Good 25/02/2020 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC006014 5

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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, 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.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that there is a clear missing from home procedure for the child. 1 May 2024

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered provider must make sure that staff have completed training in topics relevant to children's individual needs such as ADHD and children's mental health. In addition to this training, refresher training should take place when needed. 1 May 2024 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC006014 6 The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person's report to—

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Requirement Due date

upon request, the local authority for the area in which the home is located;

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Requirement Due date

the registered provider and, if applicable, the registered manager; and

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Requirement Due date

the responsible individual (if one is nominated). (Regulation 44 (1) (7)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered provider must ensure that the independent person submits a copy of the report to Ofsted each month. 1 May 2024 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC006014 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Care Afloat Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 158-160 Birkrig, Digmoor Parade, Skelmersdale WN8 9HP

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Michael Fletcher

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Inspector

Katie Tomlinson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC006014 8 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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