Children's Home run by Casterton Care Group Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2722566 1 Registered provider: Casterton Care Group 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 operated by a private company and provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in May 2023. The registered manager post has been vacant since 4 November 2023. A new manager has submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were two children living at the home.

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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

Date of last inspection: 13 February 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2722566 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/11/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2722566 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children moving into the home have sensitively planned transitions. They have the opportunity to visit and meet the staff and children before they move into the home. Children already living in the home are consulted about new children moving in. They are kept up to date about decision-making, and their views are sought and considered before and after the transition.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has made significant progress from his starting point. The child previously experienced neglect and trauma and had a number of moves. The care and commitment of the staff have supported the child to develop a sense of stability and security and trust in the staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s achievements are celebrated, and they receive high levels of verbal praise. This increases their self-esteem and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have memory books to ensure that their time in the home is captured. One child has a life-story book made by staff, which depicts their life and experiences from birth through cards, text, and photos.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children regularly attend school. Their timetables are gradually increased following regular review meetings to ensure that their educational needs are met. There is effective liaison with schools, colleges, and virtual school heads. When children are not in school, they have a structured routine and are encouraged to participate in a learning or physical activity every day.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health, and they access health services as required. They are encouraged to consider how they can improve their own health, for example by eating a balanced diet and brushing their teeth twice a day. When children need specialist support, staff talk to children about the benefits of this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have opportunities to take part in new experiences that help to build their confidence. One child is learning to swim as this is something that they really wanted to do. Both children are regular visitors to the gym and have annual passes for theme parks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are considered on a regular basis. They contribute to weekly planners and review the quality of care provided to them every month. One child asked for more time to watch TV, so the manager discussed this at a team meeting and all staff agreed that this should be allowed. This collaborative decision-making provides consistency. Inspection report for children’s home: 2722566 4 Children understand any restrictions to keep them safe, and plans focus on reducing risks so restrictions can eventually be removed. Children’s independence is developed in line with restrictions and in consultation with social workers.

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

Children say they feel safe and have staff who they can talk to if they have any worries.

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

Medication is stored securely. Procedures for the administration of medication would be strengthened if all details of the dose and details of the medication are consistently recorded.

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

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding processes and follow procedures when responding to concerns about the safety of children.

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

Staff know the individual risks to children and implement appropriate strategies to keep them safe. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. The risks for one child have significantly reduced.

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

Children who are missing from home receive a robust response from staff who actively search for them. One child was reported as missing before moving into the home, and staff were actively involved in trying to locate the child and attended meetings with relevant safeguarding professionals to review and update the missing- from-home information. This approach was proactive and tenacious and made a difference to the child.

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

Children have behaviour support plans that take account of their individual needs and experiences. Children receive consistent care, and staff are aware of strategies to support their emotional well-being. Children are supported to understand and manage their behaviour and feelings safely. One social worker said, ‘[Name of child] took time out when distressed then came back to calmly talk through their emotions, and this would have previously led to an incident.’

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

Children are only held as a last resort to keep them safe. The records following any holds are clear and include details of debriefs with staff and children.

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

Staff are recruited safely. There is a strong safeguarding culture which is embedded through discussions at team meetings and supervision.

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

Investigations into allegations or suspicions of harm are promptly addressed and shared with appropriate agencies. Throughout these investigations, children are supported and kept safe. However, there is no risk assessment in place to address any conflict of interest for staff members who have personal relationships should there every be any allegation made. Inspection report for children’s home: 2722566 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children well and has a good understanding of their needs and risks. He is supported by a deputy manager, and they both have high expectations of the staff team to change and improve the lives of the children in its care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are aware of the home’s strengths and areas for development. They are particularly focused on developing the skills and knowledge of the staff team. However, some staff have not completed relevant training to help them meet the individual needs of the children in their care. This includes post- traumatic stress disorder training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular team meetings take place and are well attended by staff. They are a learning opportunity for staff and reinforce the need for consistent care. Staff feel well supported by the manager, who has introduced wellness sessions and team-building days which involve children too. This has resulted in a cohesive team that feels supported by each other.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff receive regular and effective supervision that is focused on children’s experiences, needs, plans, and feedback. Staff say supervision is an opportunity to talk openly about the emotions evoked by working in the home. However, there are missed opportunities to use consultation with children in staff appraisals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that plans for children take account of local authority care plans. He seeks and builds effective working relationships with social workers to secure positive outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2722566 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that risk assessments are in place for any staff for whom there is a conflict of interest due to personal relationships. This should specifically consider any conflict that may arise if there are any performance issues or if allegations are made. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that the details of all medication, including the dose and details of the medication, are consistently recorded on all relevant documents. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 35, paragraph 7.15)  The registered person should ensure that all staff complete training specific to children’s individual needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 54, paragraph 10.5)  The registered person should ensure that staff appraisals take into account, where

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Recommendations

reasonable and practical, the views of children and other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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: 2722566 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Casterton Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 13 Montpelier Avenue, Bexley, Kent DA5 3AP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jonathan Broadstock

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Inspector

Sarah Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2722566 8 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 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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