Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039683 1 SC039683

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Registered provider: Lancashire County Council

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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 local authority and 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

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There were five children living at the home at the time of this inspection

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Inspection date: 7 January 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 7 January 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: SC039683 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s complex needs and behaviours are being addressed through risk management plans and support from external agencies. The home’s approach reflects a strong commitment to safeguarding and supporting children’s mental health, although challenges remain.

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Findings from the inspection

When children go missing from home, there is an appropriate response from staff. They search for children using their in-depth knowledge of them, and they involve the relevant partner agencies to help return children home quickly and safely.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have entered each other’s bedrooms at nighttime, which has led to allegations between children. Staff have not understood this was happening until afterwards, which may be because of where the staff bedrooms are situated in relation to the children’s rooms. Appropriate action has been taken to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are aware of how to make complaints, and their views are regularly considered through individual sessions with staff and in children’s meetings.

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Findings from the inspection

Education plans are in place for all children, although engagement remains a challenge. Staff are employing creative methods to encourage educational participation.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is appropriately staffed, providing a stable and supportive environment. Staff report feeling happy and supported, with regular development opportunities that encourage retention of staff and stability for the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Significant improvements have been made to the home, including a new kitchen and a continued programme of decoration that helps to maintain a homely environment.

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Findings from the inspection

The management team is visible and engaged, promptly addressing issues as they arise. Ongoing monitoring and reflection are integral to the service, with detailed analyses and ’lessons learned’ sessions leading to improved practices and a reduction in the number of incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff training and development and regular audits by the management team contribute to ongoing service improvement and effective responses to significant incidents. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039683 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/12/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/09/2022 Full Good 05/05/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039683 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children’s safety alongside each other is considered carefully and measures are taken to keep them safe. This may include changes to where staff and children sleep at night. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039683 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lancashire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Preston PR1 8XJ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Claire Rose Dudley

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Inspectors

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Mathew Morris-Jones, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC039683 6 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 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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Inspectors

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

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