Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC359836 1 SC359836 Registered provider: Lancashire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority children’s home. This home is registered to provide care for up to six children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were four children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2020.

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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 outstanding

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 19 September 2023

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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: SC359836 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/09/2023 Full Good 14/09/2022 Full Good 19/04/2022 Full Inadequate 09/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC359836 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Four children live in the home and they are happy and settled. They are cared for by a stable and established staff team. Staff understand the children and care for them with empathy. As a result, children have trusting relationships with the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s artwork and certificates are on display throughout the home. Staff celebrate children’s talents and interests with pride. There are photos of all the children and staff making happy memories together. Children regularly take part in a range of exciting activities from theme parks to holidays abroad. This gives children a wide range of positive experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a voice, and they are consulted about the care they receive. Children’s meetings take place regularly. The manager responds to requests and makes plans to improve children’s experiences. Discussions with children are meaningful and considerate of their experiences and needs. Staff know the children well and they use their good relationships with the children to tackle more challenging discussions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make excellent progress from their starting points. They attend education and their successes are celebrated. The children receive tailored care, and their needs are identified by staff who know them well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well supported to explore their identity. They create an inclusive and accepting environment where each child’s unique background, culture, and personal history are acknowledged and celebrated. They also encourage self-expression by offering emotional support, fostering open communication, and promoting positive self- esteem. By establishing a safe and supportive atmosphere, staff help children to develop a strong sense of self, enabling them to build confidence and resilience as they grow.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The building is welcoming and well decorated. The manager and staff have made the house feel like a family home as much as possible. The internal doors that lead to communal areas have locks on them. If used, this would prevent children from having access to all areas of their home. The locks are due to be removed as a part of planned work in the home. This shortfall was raised at the previous inspection and therefore has been restated.

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

Staff know the risks children can be exposed to. Safety plans are made with other professionals. Assessments of risk are well balanced, ensuring that children are kept safe and allowing them to take age-appropriate risks. This ensures an effective approach to safeguarding. Inspection report for children’s home: SC359836 4 Staff praise children when they have made positive choices. They use a range of rewards that help children to build self-esteem and confidence. Each child has an incentive chart, with achievable targets. Consequences are rarely used, as the manager understands that positive rewards are more effective in shaping positive behaviours.

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

When children go missing from the home, staff respond swiftly. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place, and staff follow established protocols. Staff ensure incidents are promptly reported to the appropriate authorities. Staff maintain detailed records of each incident, including actions taken. Upon the child’s return, staff have a sensitive and supportive talk with the child. This provides an opportunity to understand the reasons for the absence and address any underlying issues. This approach prioritises the child’s immediate safety, but also contributes to ongoing risk management and care planning. This promotes a secure home environment.

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

Systems to monitor health and safety arrangements are generally sound. However, at the time of inspection, two fire doors were being propped open. These pose a risk to children and staff in the event of a fire.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high expectations and aspirations. He has created a development plan and a reviewing system to regularly monitor and improve the quality of care provided. This includes monthly audits, reviews and feedback from the independent person. The manager uses learning from practice and feedback to improve children’s experiences. This feeds into future planning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home benefits from robust and a dynamic leadership team that consistently drives improvement. Managers lead by example and generate creative ideas to sustain the highest quality care for children. Managers ensure that staff are well-trained and equipped with the necessary skills to support the diverse needs of the children. The learning culture in the home is positive and, additional bespoke training is sought when necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak very highly of the manager and the support he provides. Staff have regular supervision that they feel is helpful and effective. Additional supervision is offered when a need is identified by either the staff or the manager. There is an ‘open door’ mindset to help improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager effectively engages with external partners and families, to ensure a holistic approach to each child’s care. Feedback from children, families, and professionals is actively sought and valued, informing ongoing improvements, and ensuring that the home remains responsive to the needs of its residents. Feedback from professional is excellent and one said that “The memories made in this home are an integral part of [child’s name]’s life story”. Inspection report for children’s home: SC359836 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

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that when in use, fire doors are not obstructively held open using door wedges. 20 July 2024

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

and 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; is necessary and proportionate;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to removing internal locks on the communal doors 20 July 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC359836 6

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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: SC359836 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Preston PR1 8XJ

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Inspectors

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Kimmy Feeley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC359836 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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