Children's Home run by A-Triangle Care Limited in Blackpool

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2557064 1 Registered provider: A-Triangle Care Limited

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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 by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties and have learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2020, and the manager registered in November 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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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: 2557064 2

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Findings from the inspection

We identified the following serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection:

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment is not suitable to meet the child’s needs. The child’s bedroom window and window restrictor have been broken since before the child moved into the home. As a result, there is a large gap between the window and the frame in the child’s bedroom. The ability to lock or restrict windows forms part of the child’s deprivation of liberty order (DLO). Therefore, staff are unable to implement and comply with the requirements of the order.

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Findings from the inspection

Furthermore, some parts of the home environment are poor and require repair, redecoration and cleaning. Windows are broken, areas of the home need to be painted and some areas of the home are not clean. Action was taken to address the shortfalls in the home environment during the inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

During the inspection, the child said that they have observed members of staff to use their vaping devices while on duty, which is contrary to the home’s policy. The policy relating to this issue is unclear, and there is a lack of effective management oversight of this behaviour. Leaders and managers addressed this during the inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager completes a six-month quality of care review. This includes the wishes and feelings of the child and key stakeholders.

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Findings from the inspection

Transitions in and out of the home are poorly managed. Leaders and managers do not fully consider children’s needs and risks before they move into the home. This contributed to one child’s poor experience of moving on from the home, and staff were unable to meet the child’s needs effectively. Another child moved into the home when there was limited oversight from leaders and managers due to them being on annual leave.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers review records and ensure that the placing authority documents are followed. However, there are shortfalls in the information contained in some of the risk assessments, and it is unclear if staff have read and understood them. The child’s risk assessments do not include sufficient information about all known risks and vulnerabilities or the strategies to manage and reduce risks.

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Findings from the inspection

Some staff members lack the relevant experience and expertise for their role. This compromises the quality of care provided. Staff do not clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. Some staff members are relatively new to the sector and lack the skills to manage the complex needs of the child effectively. One junior member of staff was left on their own with the child on Christmas day. This is contrary to the two-to-one staffing ratios stated in the child’s DLO. Furthermore, not all staff understand what is required of them in relation to meeting the child’s DLO. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2557064 3 Leaders and managers do not respond appropriately to, or implement, appropriate and safe strategies to protect children living in the home. Staff do not have sufficient guidance or supervision to ensure that they are able to manage and reduce the risks to children.

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Findings from the inspection

There is no demonstrated learning from safeguarding incidents, and incidents are not always recorded. There is no reflection with staff or robust evaluation of safeguarding incidents to improve the safety and welfare of children and the practices of staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Team meetings and staff supervision are not held regularly. This means that staff are not suitably supported and able to discuss any concerns they have.

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Findings from the inspection

The new manager has responded to previous requirements and has made improvements since the previous inspection. However, there are several requirements and recommendations made at this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2557064 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/01/2024 Full Good 23/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/05/2022 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2557064 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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff are suitably experienced and competent to work with children and ensure that staff are given responsibilities in line with their experience. This also includes ensuring there is adequate staffing to fulfil the requirements of the placement plan.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 23 February 2025

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Requirement Due date

*The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that they are able to fulfil any requirements of a deprivation of liberty 23 February 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2557064 6 safeguard order before admitting a child. This is specifically in relation to being able to lock windows and doors should this be required in line with an order.

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Requirement Due date

Also, the registered person must ensure that the accommodation is suitable for children to live in. This specifically relates to windows and doors.

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Requirement Due date

Also, the registered person must ensure that any staff personal equipment or items which present an increased risk to the child, such as vapes and associated products, are locked away or not brought onto site.

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Requirement Due date

Also, the registered person must ensure that any incidents occurring in the home are recorded clearly and concisely, including action taken, and that any debriefs are completed with the children involved and that the regulator is kept informed.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each permanent appointment of an employee is subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation; and

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Requirement Due date

provide each employee with a job description outlining the employee’s responsibilities.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must operate a disciplinary procedure which, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

provides for the suspension from work of an employee if necessary in the interests of the safety or welfare of children; and

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Requirement Due date

provides that the failure on the part of an employee to report an incident of abuse, or suspected abuse, whether past or present, in relation to a child to the appropriate person is a ground on which disciplinary proceedings may be instituted.

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of this regulation, “the appropriate person” is the registered person, an officer of HMCI, an officer of the local authority in whose area the home is located or a police officer. 23 February 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2557064 7 The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that supervisions take place regularly and in line with the statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the registered person ensuring that the home is well maintained to a high standard and any damage or maintenance issues are identified and rectified in a timely manner. 23 February 2025

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. 23 February 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2557064 8 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must only accept children when they are able to meet their needs and ensure that there is sufficient management oversight in the absence of the registered person.

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that case records are kept up to date and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. This includes risk assessments and behaviour support plans for the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2557064 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: A-Triangle Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5 Crescent East, Hardhorn Road, Thornton- Cleveleys, Lancashire FY5 3LJ

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Inspector

James Meeks, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2557064 10 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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Inspector

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