Children's home run by Lancashire County Council in Preston

Inspection report for children’s home: SC035459 1 SC035459

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Registered provider: Lancashire County Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides short breaks for children with special educational needs and/or physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in 2003, and the manager registered in April 2012.

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Information about this children’s home

Five children were present at the home during this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection, and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC035459 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/10/2024 Full Outstanding 05/03/2024 Full Outstanding 07/02/2023 Full Outstanding 08/03/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC035459 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy their short breaks and receive exceptional care from a stable and experienced staff team. Children develop positive, trusting relationships with staff who care about them. Staff create a nurturing and calm environment where children thrive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff work hard to develop positive working relationships with parents to share knowledge, understand children’s interests and discover how best to support children. This helps children to experience a well-planned and positive transition into the home. One family member said, ‘It was a really nice transition and done at our pace.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are provided with opportunities to develop skills, take part in activities, and gain independence during their time at the home. These positive experiences enhance the quality of the children’s lives and improve the overall progress children make.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff use a variety of communication aids to interact with the children and help them communicate more effectively, for example picture exchange communication systems, social stories, visual aids and signing. This helps the children to learn, form social relationships, express feelings, and participate in everyday activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Communication with families is excellent. One family member said, ‘I love the communication book. It’s easy to jot down important things that might not seem important but to [name of child] they are big things.’ This gives families a chance to feel more connected to their child and celebrate what they have achieved during their stay at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

There is good multi-agency working. The manager and staff maintain excellent levels of communication with other professionals. One social worker said, ‘There is excellent communication, which supports the team around the child.’ This ensures consistency for children.

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

The home is maintained to a high standard. It is homely and welcoming. The home environment is personalised to meet each child’s individual needs during their stay, and this includes books they may like, their favourite bedding and adaptations in their bedroom to create a safe environment, including specially designed window coverings. Children’s photographs are displayed around the home. This provides children with a sense of belonging.

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

All children have comprehensive risk management plans that clearly identify known risks and vulnerabilities. These plans give clear instructions to staff about how risks to children should be safely managed. This helps to ensure that staff respond consistently, and risks are reduced. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035459 4 Children who stay at the home have various health needs. These are understood and managed well by staff. Managers and staff complete a range of training that focuses on meeting the children’s individual needs. Staff apply their training effectively when supporting the children. Training includes medication, epilepsy, oral suction, creative play, and vagus nerve stimulation.

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

Children receive excellent support to help them if they are upset. Staff understand the triggers and functions of children’s behaviours and how to respond. Where restraint has been used, this has been minimal, necessary, and proportionate. On one occasion, the child did not have the opportunity to express their feelings about their experience of the restraint. This is a missed opportunity to talk to the child about the incident. feelings.

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

Recruitment procedures and practices are safe and effective. Children have been involved in the interview process for new staff by devising specific questions and reflecting on responses received. These checks ensure that only suitable adults are employed to work with children in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified and is supported by an assistant manager. They work exceptionally well together and have developed a positive, child- centred culture in the home. Managers are passionate, aspirational, and knowledgeable about the needs of the children. They strive to make continuous improvements to ensure that children receive exceptional, individualised care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The children’s records are comprehensive and accurate. The records reflect the children’s everyday lives and the work that is carried out with them during their stay. The managers and staff have developed child-centred plans that are written for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Reflection is embedded into everyday practice. The manager and staff complete detailed reflection following incidents to support development and learning. One social worker said, ‘Staff will relook at strategies. There was a period when mornings were difficult, so staff changed how they did things and now there is no issues.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff team meetings are regular and effective. Team meetings include training elements and direct links to research to help support and guide practice. Staff receive ongoing support, supervision and constant guidance from leaders and managers. One staff member said, ‘The manager is approachable and really supportive.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and areas for development of the operation of the home. The manager has close oversight of children’s progress and any changes needed. Internal and external monitoring of the home is effective. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035459 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any child who has been restrained should be given the opportunity to express their feelings about their experience of the restraint as soon as is practicable, taking into consideration the communication needs of the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 50, paragraph 9.60)

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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: SC035459 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lancashire County Council, PO Box 100, Preston PR1 0LD

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Inspector

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC035459 7 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 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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