Children's Home run by Lytham Care Limited in Knowsley

Inspection report for children’s home: 2585541 1 Registered provider: Lytham Care Limited

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Full inspection 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. The home provides care for up to two children who may have emotional, social or learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left the home on 7 May 2024. A new manager is in post and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2585541 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/05/2023 Full Good 09/08/2022 Full Good 07/09/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2585541 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved in and one child has moved out of the home. The departure of the child was under difficult circumstances. However, staff went above and beyond to ensure the child’s safety and well-being during this transition. Staff’s support reflects commitment to the safety and protection of the children in their care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care planning and practice are highly individualised. Leaders, managers and staff have a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs and provide them with a bespoke package of support. They work closely with external agencies to ensure that the child receives the services and support they require to make progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The quality of direct work carried out with the child is excellent. Staff sensitively talk to the child about key issues which are relevant to the child. Records are detailed and contain input from the manager. This means that the child is able to talk to staff about a range of subjects and has trusting relationships with the people who care for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child receives care from a consistent staff team that knows them well. These relationships provide the child with stability and security and contribute to the child making significant progress from their starting point. Staff celebrate the child’s achievements, which enhances the child’s self-esteem and is helping them to grow in confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the child to be healthy. The child is registered with local health services and is supported to maintain good health. Bespoke training for staff about children’s health needs helps staff to raise their awareness of specific conditions. As a result of staff support, the child has started making necessary changes to their health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is in full-time education and is making progress. When there have been concerns at school, leaders and managers have taken appropriate steps to ensure that the child remains safe and well cared for.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Managers respond well when the child makes allegations. Relevant professionals are consulted promptly, and the child is given the opportunity to share their feelings. As a result, the child feels listened to. Leaders and managers learn from these incidents and meet with staff to consider what they have learned and what they could learn further. The agreed practice is then put in place within the team. This shows the staff’s ability to adapt and change practice to meet the needs of the child they care for. Inspection report for children’s home: 2585541 4 When physical holds are used, these are to prevent children from harming themselves or others. Incidents are reviewed by managers to ensure that the use of any physical hold is proportionate and safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff relationships with the child are regarded with utmost importance. When issues arise, proactive measures are taken to repair and strengthen these relationships. Following an incident involving the child, the staff member involved took part in planned activities with the child. This approach was aimed at rebuilding their relationship and ensuring that the child felt comfortable and supported by the staff member.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child receives effective help and support from staff who understand their needs. The child has individualised risk assessments that are updated to reflect emerging risks and needs. Staff understand the child’s triggers and work effectively to reduce negative behaviours through effective and appropriate intervention strategies.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child has been given consequences in response to their behaviour. However, these consequences are not always restorative or effective in nature. Managers make comments and suggestions on consequence records, but these are not always followed up by staff. This means that consequences are not always effective for the child, and the child does not learn from the sanction.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Incidents are managed well and all serious incidents are notified to Ofsted. This allows the regulator to have sufficient oversight and scrutiny. A therapist who works with the child said, ‘Staff do really care about the child, and they want to do their best for them. They know the child well. They attune to the child and their needs and have adapted their practice.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has left the home without notice. An experienced interim manager has been supporting the staff and a permanent manager has been appointed. The manager has started the process to register.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Changes to the management in the home have meant that staff have felt a lack of stability. This was raised with leaders, who sought suitable cover which offered support to staff during a difficult time. Despite the short-term nature of the interim manager’s appointment, he has made a positive impact on the team. The impact on the child has been minimal, and the child has been provided with an age-appropriate amount of information.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are effective monitoring systems in place. The manager completes a monthly report that includes a review of key areas including children’s plans, health and safety and staff development. Managers have good oversight of the records in the home and advice and actions are clearly noted. This supports consistent practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are provided with relevant training and creative learning opportunities that help them to be effective in their roles. Staff are continuously developing their skills and Inspection report for children’s home: 2585541 5 knowledge. As a result, children are cared for by staff who are skilled in meeting their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

When supervision takes place, staff are given the opportunity to reflect on their role so that they can become more skilled. Supervision sessions are not always held within he agreed timescale, meaning some staff have not had the opportunity to develop and reflect on their practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2585541 6

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Statutory requirement

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 registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff receive regular supervision. 28 June 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any sanctions used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves and the staff caring for them. (‘The Guide to the Children’s Home regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This 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’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2585541 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lytham Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lytham Care, 400 Longmoor Lane, Liverpool L9 9DB

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Inspector

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2585541 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 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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