Children's Home run by Aspris Care North West Limited in Blackpool

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254055 1 Registered provider: Sandcastle Care 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 owned by a private company. It is registered to care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living in the home at the time of inspection. One child spoke with the inspector about their experience of living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since August 2023 and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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. Inspectors have 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: 1254055 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 live in a large home which has been fully refurbished and redecorated. There is plenty of space for children to relax, both together and individually. Children say that they enjoy living in this home. They are supported to develop positive relationships with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Children say that they feel safe living in the home and can talk to staff about any worries they may have. Staff understand children’s needs and care for them in accordance with their plans. Staff talk to children to help them understand how to keep themselves safe and healthy, both online and in the community.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been a number of changes in the staff team. Children say that they do not feel that the changes have had a significant impact on their experiences. One child said that they think things have only improved with new staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to continually develop their independence skills by involving them in daily tasks and chores such as cooking meals. This helps prepare children for when they become more independent.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are enrolled in education and one child enjoys attending school full time. Another child has only two hours of formal education each day and no plan in place for his remaining educational entitlement. This does not ensure that all children can reach their educational goals.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy a variety of activities and say that staff take them to do things that they enjoy. Staff encourage children to stay healthy and active and join them in their active pastimes. One child described the home as, ‘dead chill, we do lots of fun stuff here’.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. He is committed to improving practice in the home. Staff feel valued and supported by the manager.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive suitable training to meet the needs of the children they care for and new staff say that the training has prepared them for their role. The manager ensures that staff are up to date on mandatory training. However, the home’s workforce plan identifies training that staff should complete but this is not checked against training that staff have completed. This means that staff have not completed all the training the manager has identified for them.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager makes good use of internal and external monitoring systems. He is keen to implement learning and continues to challenge auditors to assess Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254055 3 safeguarding practice and areas that are most important for children. This ensures that oversight of practice in the home is effective and helps to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have taken effective action to meet all of the requirements and recommendations made at the previous inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254055 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/12/2022 Full Good 12/10/2022 Full Inadequate 01/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254055 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that there is a clear education plan for each child when not in full time education, and children are supported to complete educational activities in line with this. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The workforce development plan should be regularly reviewed to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home. It should be used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of staff. The registered person should regularly ensure that staff training meets the expectations set out in the plan. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 53, paragraph 10.8) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254055 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sandcastle Care Limited

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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

Aislinn Cooper, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1254055 7 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 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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