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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2797361 1 Registered provider: Lancashire Care Group Limited Full inspection 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.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post is vacant. The deputy manager is in day-to-day charge of the home supported by the responsible individual.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home and was spoken to by the inspector.

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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: 26 November 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: none

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: A assurance inspection took place on 26 and 27 November 2024, when an emergency notice to suspend the home’s registration was issued following the identification of serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2797361 2 During the monitoring visit on 13 February 2025, Ofsted found that the provider had taken action to reduce the risks identified and there was a clear strategy to improve the care delivered to children, specifically around the leadership and management of the home and the help and protection of children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2797361 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last visit one child has moved into the home in a considered and planned way. Prior to the child moving in, the manager ensured that they received relevant information in respect of the child’s risks, vulnerabilities and needs to inform their care planning and risk management plans. As such this has supported the child to settle in well and for the staff to begin to develop positive, trusting relationships with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff keep detailed records in relation to the child. However, not all information is recorded when the child moves in, for example, the child’s placing authority or their legal status. Therefore, staff do not have the most up to date information in relation to the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from individualised care from staff who are sensitive to their needs. The staff are nurturing in their approach while maintaining boundaries, and expectations. For example, the child did not attend education prior to their move into the home. The manager and staff advocated on behalf of the child and have established an education package that suits their needs. As such, the child can reengage with education and begin to build on their attendance and attainment to achieve their future aspirations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the child’s health and emotional health needs. The child is supported to attend routine health appointments. The manager is proactive and referred the child for specialist support. This supports the child to remain in good health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the child’s background, family dynamics and friendship groups. As such, staff have a relationship with the child’s family and friends. The child has a court order in place. However, staff are creative about ways to support the child to see and remain in contact with their family and friends. This supports the child to maintain relationships with people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff speak to the child about their care to inform future planning. However, staff do not record the actions they will take. This does not support the manager to review staff practice to ensure the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been heard and recognised.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard. Positive and caring relationships between staff and the child were observed. The child lives in a happy and relaxed home where staff treat them with dignity and respect. The child said, ‘They are really fighting my corner and are here for me, they are on my side, I haven’t had this in the past’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2797361 4

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

The safety and welfare of the child is at the centre of staff’s practice. Individualised risk assessment and behaviour support plans are in place for the child. These plans are regularly reviewed. Strategies for staff to use to minimise risks are clearly set out. As a result, the child is safeguarded effectively.

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

The manager understands the benefit of investing in, supporting, training and guiding staff. As such, staff receive training in child protection and safeguarding practices. They also receive tailored training to meet the needs of the child, such as, deprivation of liberty safeguards, internet safety, and self-harming behaviours.

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

Safeguarding incidents are rare. When incidents do occur, they are well managed. The manager takes appropriate action and communicates effectively with other professionals to ensure that the child remains safe living in the home. Staff talk to the child to help them understand their thoughts and feelings. They also help them to reflect on any incidents.

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

Staff are calm and relaxed with the child. They are skilled in de-escalating situations and supporting the child to manage their emotional well-being. As such, staff have not had to physically hold the child to keep them safe. This is due to the positive and supportive relationships they have established with the child.

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

The child has not been missing from home. This is a reduction in risk from their starting point. However, should the child go missing from home, staff understand what actions to take and the reporting procedures to follow to ensure that the child return’s home safely.

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

The child’s social worker shared that they felt that the management and staff team manage safeguarding concerns well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is no registered manager in post. A new manager has been recruited.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The deputy manager is currently managing the home. She is committed, passionate and has high aspirations for the child in her care and for the development of the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child said that they get on well with the manager. The deputy manager leads by example and knows the child well. They can balance management duties alongside spending time with the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak highly of the management team and feel supported to fulfil their roles. Staff report that they enjoy their roles. Since the last inspection staff morale has improved. Staff say that they receive support from their colleagues and the management team. One member of staff said, ‘I feel the management of the home has got stronger since [name of deputy manager] has been acting manager and the new responsible individual has been in post who has been very supportive’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2797361 5 The manager ensures that new staff receive a well-planned induction to the home. This helps them to develop the skills they need to provide safe care to the child. All staff receive regular, reflective supervision and attend regular team meetings. Supervision and team meetings are used to reflect on staff development, provide guidance and direction to the staff and to give staff the opportunity to share any feedback they may have.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team understands the home’s strengths and areas for development. There are effective review and monitoring systems in place that helps the manager to review children’s care. This also allows them to identify any shortfalls.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External monitoring systems are effective. However, one report was not received by Ofsted. This does not allow the regulator to have sufficient oversight and scrutiny of the service in a timely manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All requirements and one recommendation raised at the last inspection have been met. Inspection report for children’s home: 2797361 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when children are consulted on their views, wishes and feelings about the home’s care, they should ensure that they respond back to the child with an outcome so that they feel valued, and reassured that their voice is heard. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  The registered person should ensure that when the independent person competes a report of the home that this is sent to the regulator in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)  The registered person should ensure that all records kept on children are kept up to date and include all relevant information. Specifically, documents in relation to children moving into and on from the home should contain all matters set out in schedule 4. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality

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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: 2797361 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lancashire Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 9 Richmond Avenue, Wrea Green, Preston PR4 2NJ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicholas Morrall

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Inspector

Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2797361 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 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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