Children's home run by Care Afloat Ltd in West Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC006014 1 SC006014 Registered provider: Care Afloat Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider and provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager of this home registered with Ofsted in April 2014.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 7 November 2023

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC006014 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/11/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/11/2022 Full Good 24/08/2021 Full Good 25/02/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC006014 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child living in the home is making good progress. One professional said, ‘Given [name of child’s] starting point, the progress is amazing. They continue to grow in confidence.’ This progress is contributable to the support, advice and guidance that the staff provide. Staff know the child well and talk about their achievements with a sense of pride.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the child’s health needs are consistently met. The child is encouraged to participate in routine health appointments and with health specialists from child and adolescent mental health services, to support their emotional health and well-being.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making good progress with education and benefits from a bespoke package of educational support, which includes vocational activities as well as formal learning. The child is predicted good exam grades, which is owing to the child’s commitment to attending school daily and participating in school activities. There are plans in place for the child to start volunteering at a local stable yard.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child with family time arrangements and are flexible in adapting the arrangements to ensure the child has this time with people who are important to them. The manager liaises with the child’s placing authority to ensure that family time is safely managed. They prioritise the child’s welfare at all times.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child takes part in a range of activities, such as horse riding, working with farm animals, going for walks in the countryside and going on days out to theme parks. Consequently, the child’s confidence has grown, and they now engage in meaningful conversations with staff. This enables staff to have a sense of the child’s worries, wishes and feelings. This has helped the staff to advocate for the child about things that are important to them. The lounge has a large canvas photo of the child riding their horse, which, when asked about, the child said, ‘It was a surprise, I love it.’

p.3

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

Staff understand the child’s needs and recognise their triggers for emotional upset and distress. Self-harm incidents have significantly reduced. When the child’s mental health is fragile, appropriate therapeutic support is sought and implemented to give them the opportunity to talk to someone who is independent of the home.

p.3

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

Staff conduct room searches when it is necessary and reasonable to do so, and take the appropriate action to remove risks that could cause harm to the child.

p.3

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

There has been no missing-from-home incidents for over a year. The manager has implemented a missing-from-home protocol, which is easy for staff to follow in the event of such an incident occurring. The child is encouraged to have free time in line with their Inspection report for children’s home: SC006014 4 specific plans and in agreement with the child’s placing authority. These arrangements are effective and promote the child’s independence.

p.3

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

Positive behaviour is promoted and encouraged. Staff help and support the child to recognise their feelings and manage their behaviour safely. When an incident has required a consequence, it has been proportionate and timely. This enables the child to experience clear boundaries and fairness from adults.

p.4

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

Staff understand that the internet poses a risk for children. When incidents of online bullying have taken place, staff have been quick to manage these to prevent situations escalating and reduce the risk of harm to the child and others. Appropriate control measures are in place on electronic devices so that staff can monitor activity appropriately. Staff educate the child around the dangers of online bullying, and the child has recently successfully completed an online safety course.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced manager who, since the last inspection, has implemented positive changes to the décor of the home, including the redecoration of the child’s bedroom. The home is welcoming, with a homely atmosphere. House risk assessments are in place. The manager has a good oversight of health and safety in the home, which provides an environment that is safe for the child to live in.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is sufficiently staffed by a consistent, stable staff team. The staff communicate effectively during daily handovers to ensure that the child’s needs are prioritised and appointments are attended. Team meetings take place monthly and are well attended.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the manager and the home in general. One member of staff described working at the home as ‘enjoyable’ and that they feel ‘well supported’. Regular supervision takes place with all staff. Annual appraisals identify individual staff development plans, learning opportunities and areas that require further support.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are effective monitoring systems in place. Monthly audit reports completed by the manager, and the independent visitor reports, are regularly submitted and on time. These systems enable the manager to have oversight of the child’s progress and any incidents of concern. There is evidence of multi-agency working, which helps to prevent drift in care planning. The manager escalates concerns and liaises with relevant professionals without delay to ensure that the child is appropriately safeguarded.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No recommendations or requirements have been raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC006014 5

p.4

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: SC006014 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Care Afloat Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 158-160 Birkrig, Digmoor Parade, Skelmersdale WN8 9HP

p.6

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michael Fletcher

p.6

Inspector

Michelle Greenhalgh, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC006014 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7