Children's home run by Lancashire County Council in Preston

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039689 1 SC039689

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Registered provider: Lancashire County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated and managed by a local authority and is registered to provide care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties. There are five children currently living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 26 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 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: SC039689 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 moved into the home since the last inspection, and this was a positive experience. The manager completed an assessment of the child’s needs alongside the other children already living in the home. However, managers did not identify clear strategies to mitigate known risks or appropriate services that the child could access when they have moved in.

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Findings from the inspection

Most children have positive relationships with staff and can identify trusted adults. One child’s relationship with staff has suffered due to the impact of the frequency of behavioural incidents of another child who no longer lives in the home. Staff rebuild their relationships with children and provide a nurturing environment. Staff take children on activities outside of the home. As a result, children enjoy positive experiences and make memories.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is generally a warm, welcoming environment for children. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to their preferences. Staff redecorate areas of the home when damage is caused by children, and one upstairs bathroom suite needs replacing as damage is beyond repair. Some internal doors have key locks. Although the manager gave a reason for the decision to lock doors, this practice restricts children’s access to all areas of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Most children attend education provisions and make progress. For one child, there are external factors, including an age assessment due to their legal status, which limits their ability to obtain an appropriate provision. Staff have implemented activities for the child in the interim period. The activities include boxing, attending the gym and developing the child’s proficiency in the English language.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff promote healthy lifestyles and children have no unmet health needs. Staff support children to attend appointments and seek medical help. Staff understand the specialist health needs of children and ensure that there is relevant medical provision.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand children’s risks, including those relating to online safety. Staff have systems in place to reduce potential risks to children when accessing the internet. Children’s devices are monitored, and staff are aware of content being accessed by children. When concerns arise, staff respond quickly and source external support from relevant professionals to reduce the risk.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff follow children’s individual plans when children are missing from the home. Staff search known addresses and the local area to try and locate children and return them safely. Staff record relevant details about episodes of going missing and report children missing from the home to relevant professionals. Children are offered Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039689 3 an independent person to speak with on their return home to try and understand why children go missing. However, children do not always engage with this. Managers do not consistently record their evaluation of missing incidents to demonstrate any further learning or potential shortfalls in staff practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager completes a location assessment and considers the potential risks to the children within the community. This includes a consultation with relevant professionals. Staff have clear guidance to follow and know how to access additional support if required.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff training and development is a priority. Any gaps in staff training are identified and discussed in supervision sessions. Staff attend relevant training courses specifically to meet the individual needs of children living in the home. Staff said they can meet the needs of the children and staff morale is high.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff supervision takes place regularly and is reflective. Staff said they receive support from the manager and are valued. Staff have opportunities to reflect on their care of the children and to discuss any areas of development. Records of supervision have improved and now include the correct name of each staff member.

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Findings from the inspection

The managers and leaders are using the findings from external monitoring to improve the service. However, progress in some areas is slow. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039689 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/10/2022 Full Good 29/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039689 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, 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.

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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

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to ensuring that there is sufficient management oversight of incidents and that debriefs are offered to all involved staff. 6 March 2024

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Requirement Due date

the privacy of children is appropriately protected;

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home; 6 March 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039689 6 is necessary and proportionate;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iv))

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Recommendations

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. Actions to mitigate risks should be clearly outlined and recorded. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the design of the home includes any necessary adaptations to meet the needs of the children, including providing clean and safe bathroom facilities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.24) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039689 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lancashire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: PO Box 78, Preston PR1 8XJ

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Inspector

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039689 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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