Children's Home run by Safety and Focused Care in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 1 Registered provider: Safety and Focused Care

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. It provides care for up to 2 children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection. The child shared their views with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role. The manager has also applied to register with Ofsted.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/03/2025 Full Good 16/01/2024 Full Outstanding 07/03/2023 Full Good 22/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has remained living at the home. The home is well presented and homely. The child is encouraged to take part in decorating the property, including picking furnishings for the home. When damages occur or repairs are required, the manager makes sure these are acted upon in a timely manner. This supports the child to develop a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s wishes and feelings are a priority. Staff speak with the child about what they want to achieve and make sure the child knows what action staff will take to make it possible. This supports the child to feel heard and listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use of a wide range of stimulating sensory toys, emotion cards and worry pillows to engage the child. This supports the child to understand their emotions better, and to express how they are feeling. Additionally, staff put into practice any recommendations made by external agencies. A therapist said, ‘They take on board any advice given.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s physical health needs are well met. All required health appointments have been completed promptly. Additionally, the child has been supported to develop effective strategies to improve their emotional wellbeing. This has included ensuring the child has a healthy routine and structure to their day.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and managers advocate strongly for the child’s right to education. They escalate concerns appropriately and are working closely with other professionals to identify an appropriate education provision. Staff support the child to learn informally; they are creative and sensitive in their approach to this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been given the opportunity to enjoy many ‘first experiences’ since living at the home. These range from having haircuts to visiting zoos. Staff document these memories well, creating high-quality photo books that include the child’s comments about their time spent with staff.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the child’s needs and behaviours. One independent reviewing officer said, ‘Staff are aware of [name of child]’s needs and how to support them.’ This is supported by detailed risk assessments with clear guidance for staff to follow when the child is upset or overwhelmed.

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

Staff understand the child’s preferred methods of communication at times of uncertainty. Staff support and promote these methods. For example, new staff have written to the child to introduce themselves, sharing their likes and dislikes. As a result, the child has been able to share their feelings and emotions more freely with staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 4 There are robust measures in place to support the child to stay safe online. Appropriate parental controls are used, and staff support the child to understand why these are in place. When concerns arise, the manager ensures appropriate action is taken and that all professionals are aware. This ensures the child’s safety.

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

Staff offer consistent verbal praise. Additionally, staff are mindful that the child may become overwhelmed. To support this, they have created a daily praise book. This helps to build the child’s confidence and self-esteem. When consequences are used, these are proportionate and restorative in nature.

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

Staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. When there are concerns about staff practice, these are taken seriously. The manager ensures that any concerns are shared with the local authority designated officer. However, on one occasion the regulator was not notified. This limits the regulator’s oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is well supported by the responsible individual. They are both present in the home and dedicated to providing good quality care to the child. One staff member said, ‘There is a strong focus on developing a supportive, nurturing environment for both [name of child] and staff, which contributes to a stable and encouraging atmosphere.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training and development are a priority. Staff have completed all mandatory training, and the manager identifies further additional training when required. This is tailored to the child’s individualised needs. This supports staff’s confidence and knowledge, helping them in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive supervision in line with the home’s statement of purpose, and team meetings take place monthly. Staff say these are both positive and informative. The manager uses this time to test staff knowledge on safeguarding processes, including the whistleblowing procedure.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

When there are vacancies, the manager recruits staff in a timely manner. This ensures there is sufficient staffing to meet the needs of the child. The staff team is now stable and consistent. As a result, the child receives continuity and consistency of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has some good systems in place to monitor the quality of care the child receives. He completes a 6-monthly review that evaluates the home’s strengths and areas for improvement. However, staff feedback has not been sought. This is a missed opportunity to take on board the views of others. Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)  The registered person should ensure that they have a system in place which allows them to monitor the matters set out in the regulations at least every 6 months. This should include feedback from staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 64, paragraph 15.2)

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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: 2631136 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Safety and Focused Care

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Andrew Seed Accountants, 54 Wood Street, Lytham St Annes FY8 1QG

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Inspector

Kitty Wiper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2631136 7 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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