Lytham Lodge

Inspection report for residential family centre: Lytham Lodge 1 Lytham Lodge Lytham Care Limited Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this residential family centre

This residential family centre is owned and managed by a private provider and is registered to accommodate up to six families at any one time.

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Information about this residential family centre

The centre provides residential assessments that assist local authorities and courts in making decisions that promote the welfare of children.

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Information about this residential family centre

The centre and manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024. At the time of this inspection, there were two families in residence. The resident parents of both families were spoken to by the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and parents, taking into account

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good

How well children and parents are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The residential family centre provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of previous inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for residential family centre: Lytham Lodge 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Families have positive experiences when moving into and out of the centre. Staff provide parents with useful information about the centre before their arrival. Where possible, parents are given the opportunity to visit in person. If this is not possible, staff arrange a video call to introduce themselves and give a virtual tour of the centre. Staff ensure that parents receive all the necessary information promptly and understand the expectations of them during their stay. Families are supported to move on from the centre, regardless of the outcome of assessments. In one instance of an unplanned ending, staff went above and beyond to facilitate a positive transition for the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff, alongside the assessing social worker, ensure that families are well informed about the assessment process. They ensure that parents understand the expectations of them throughout their time at the centre. Families receive regular feedback from staff, helping them understand what is going well and what areas they need to work on next. They also have regular opportunities to read and challenge anything recorded about them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Assessments are evidence based and include a detailed rationale for the recommendations made. Most families stay for the entirety of their assessment. However, when they do not, there are clear reasons for early endings and children’s safety is prioritised.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

The centre is spacious, well decorated and well maintained, designed to meet the needs of the parents and children who come to stay there. It provides age- appropriate equipment and toys for young children, as well as private spaces where parents can meet confidentially with professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Staff create memory books to capture families’ time at the centre, which families can take with them when they leave. The registered manager and staff focus on ensuring that families have positive experiences and memories of their time at the centre, regardless of the outcome of the assessment or length of their stay. As a result, children have detailed information of their family experiences to reflect on later in life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and parents: good

Children and parents access a wide range of activities with staff, both in the centre and in the community. Staff support parents to build connections with local community hubs and health services and encourage participation in community- based group activities with their children. This helps families to strengthen their networks and prepares them for life after leaving the centre.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff recognise and understand the risks and concerns for each family and know how to support them effectively. The registered manager completes a risk assessment before families move into the centre, identifying known risks for the Inspection report for residential family centre: Lytham Lodge 3 family as well as considering the potential impact on families already in residence. Risk assessments are detailed, with strategies to mitigate risks and provide clear guidance for staff.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Safeguarding incidents at the centre are rare. However, when they do occur, staff take effective action to protect children and notify the relevant professionals. Safeguarding incidents are well managed by staff.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Staff have a good understanding of the changing risks for families using alerts within their IT system. Managers, staff and the assessing social worker collectively consider and discuss the changing risks for families in weekly meetings, reflecting on families’ strengths and any areas of concern to inform assessments and identify additional support needs. Staff work with parents to help them understand and reduce risks, supporting them through consistent guidance and re-access to relevant parenting courses.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Families do not go missing from the centre. However, staff are aware of the procedures to follow should this occur. Parents are clearly informed about emergency procedures on arrival and through regular practice drills, ensuring all parents understand what to do in an emergency.

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How well children and parents are helped and protected: good

Accidents are well managed by staff. Records include details of how accidents occurred, any injuries sustained and the action taken, including first aid administered or the medical advice and treatment sought.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is highly committed to providing a high-quality service to the families at the centre. She has effective systems in place to monitor and review staff practice, ensuring clear oversight. The registered manager is committed to improving service delivery and works with external agency development teams to identify creative strategies to further improve the service delivered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they enjoy their work and describe ‘loving’ their jobs. They feel supported by leaders and managers and describe feeling valued by the organisation. The registered manager regularly gathers feedback from staff about the centre. However, this is not included in her quality review.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a strong focus on staff development within the centre. Staff have a range of opportunities to reflect on and improve their practice individually and as a team through supervision and team meetings. Sessions with the in-house psychologist allow staff to reflect on their practice and explore creative strategies to support families, such as using visual aids. When concerns about staff practice arise, the registered manager responds promptly and effectively with a clear rationale for decisions made. Inspection report for residential family centre: Lytham Lodge 4 Staff receive a range of training, including topics specific to the individual needs of the resident families. Staff say that they benefit from the quality training, which supports them to fulfil their responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is effective multi-agency working in place. Professionals say that communication is ‘excellent’ and the support provided to parents by staff during the assessment process is tailored to the individual needs of the family. They say that staff are adaptable to families’ emerging needs and keep professionals well informed of the progress of assessments. They praise the quality of the support and assessments completed. Inspection report for residential family centre: Lytham Lodge 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the centre. Staff should be regularly involved in contributing to monitoring the operation of the centre and their views included within reviews of the centre in line with Regulation 23. (Residential family centres: NMS 19.1)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and parents 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 Residential Family Centre Regulations 2002 and the National Minimum Standards. Inspection report for residential family centre: Lytham Lodge 6

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider: Lytham Care Limited

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Residential family centre details

Registered provider address: Lytham Care, 400 Longmoor Lane, Liverpool L9 9DB

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Residential family centre details

Email address: enquiries@lythamcare.co.uk

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Inspector

Leanne Carr, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for residential family centre: Lytham Lodge 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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