Children's home run by Northridge Care Group Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 1 Registered provider: Northridge Care Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered with Ofsted in July 2021 and is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: 2640099 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

Since the last inspection, two children have left the home and two children have moved in. The manager sensitively considers children’s needs before they move into the home and transitions are planned well. Children who already live at the home are spoken to about the plans for new children to move in.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has shared information about the local offer with staff so that they are aware of the support available for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children have access to local activities and are encouraged to contribute to the plans for days out during school holidays.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff carry out direct work with children to help them understand, and work to change where necessary, negative behaviours in respect of their health and well- being. This includes healthy diet, sexual health, drugs and alcohol misuse and smoking. Staff have completed up-to-date safeguarding training and are aware of whistle-blowing procedures.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are safe and well cared for. Risk assessments consider children’s experiences and are reviewed and updated following any incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Any allegations made by children are acted on promptly and thorough investigations take place. Information and updates are shared with relevant professionals, including social workers and the local authority designated officer. This ensures that children are safeguarded effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have individualised behaviour support plans that outline the strategies staff should use for de-escalation. All staff have received physical intervention training to support their practice. The effective use of de-escalation techniques by staff means that children have only been held on two occasions since the last inspection to keep them and others safe.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager oversees staff practice via audits and regular reviews. He reviews incidents, which supports his good understanding of staff practice and helps him to identify and address any shortfalls in practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Team meetings are an opportunity for the manager to reinforce safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that staff embed them into their practice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/08/2022 Full Good 23/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northridge Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Richard House, 9 Winckley Square, Preston, Lancashire PR1 3HP

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Inspector

Sarah Jackson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 5 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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