Children's home run by Northridge Care Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2753006 1 Registered provider: Northridge Care Group Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2753006 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child who lives in the home is making exceptional progress and this is attributable to the quality of care that is provided to them by the staff. Staff know the child well and support them to understand and process the impact of their childhood experiences. Court-ordered restrictions of liberty have reduced due to highly effective care planning and the progress made. As a result, the child is now enjoying more freedom of movement independently and safely. The child said: ‘I feel like I’ve got my life back.’ Professionals describe the child as a ‘completely different child’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff are a constant source of positivity and reassurance for the child who lives in the home. They encourage the child to try new experiences. Staff listen to and act on the child’s views and wishes. These opportunities have helped the child’s confidence, self-esteem and resilience to improve. The child said: ‘It’s the best home I’ve ever had.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have a good understanding of childhood trauma and use this knowledge to inform their care of the child. This is reflected in their thoughtful and caring approach. For example, staff went to great lengths to make the child’s birthday memorable and fun.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The registered manager and staff use research-informed practice that helps them understand the child’s behaviours and adjust how they care for them to meet their needs. Staff use a lot of warmth, encouragement and humour to get the best out of the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support the child to give back to the community. This has included attending charity events and raising money for local children’s charities. As a result, the child is learning how to contribute positively to society.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

When barriers to the child attending education have been identified, the registered manager works effectively with external agencies to find a solution that works best for the child. The registered manager quickly sourced one-to-one tutoring for the child. Consequently, the child has completed their GCSEs and has secured a college place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child is in good health and has no outstanding health needs. Staff support the child to attend regular routine and specialist health appointments. The child is supported by staff to develop healthy habits that they will be able to sustain after leaving the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support and when appropriate supervise family time. Staff recognise and understand the importance of maintaining family links and spending good-quality time having fun with family members and friends. This is important for the child’s sense of self and identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home has a warm and cosy atmosphere and feels like a family home. The child’s personal spaces reflect their individuality. The child has been involved in significant Inspection report for children’s home: 2753006 3 changes to the home and are involved in menu and activity planning. There are photos of the child throughout the home. As a result, the child has a sense of belonging.

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

Staff have the skills, knowledge and understanding to help children to keep safe. Practice is supported by detailed written information about the child from their placing local authority. Risk assessments are clear and detailed and show a good understanding of the child’s needs. Staff complete extensive research-based direct work with the child to support them to keep themselves safe. The child completes independent research and online quizzes to develop their knowledge and understanding of community-based risks. As a result, previous significant risks for the child have reduced and the child is increasingly safe.

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

Staff have good knowledge of safeguarding issues and thresholds for sharing information. Professionals said that staff’s communication with them is excellent. Staff are actively involved in care planning and have information readily available to share. The registered manager carries out regular safeguarding supervision sessions with staff, which test their safeguarding knowledge and ensures that they know how to respond effectively to any safeguarding concerns that may arise.

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

The child has been involved in creating detailed plans regarding their care. Staff support the child to share their views and wishes in multi-agency meetings about the care they receive. The child has been involved in identifying the best strategies to help keep them calm if they become anxious or worried.

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

The child’s behaviour is managed well. Staff use positive reinforcement and incentives to encourage positive behaviour. Staff have an excellent understanding of the child’s needs and consequences for unwanted behaviour are rarely needed.

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

Staff have developed a comprehensive life skill building programme. The child has engaged well with this and has learned important skills. Staff are alert to the challenges the child will face when living on their own and are working collaboratively with the child and the child’s local authority to plan for this. This includes increasing the amount of time the child currently spends on their own and consideration for ongoing support once they move on from the home.

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

The child knows how to complain. Staff discuss how to make a complaint confidentially with the child. Complaints forms and envelopes are readily accessible in the home. This means the child can make a complaint confidentially should they want to.

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

The registered manager ensures that staff are recruited safely and that they receive a quality induction. Monitoring of visitors to the home further ensures the protection of the child from potential harm. Inspection report for children’s home: 2753006 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has been in post since December 2023. The manager is an inspirational, confident and ambitious leader. She knows the child extremely well and understands their needs. She has high expectations of staff and enthusiasm for the child’s progress and achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has excellent oversight of the home. She has a proactive approach and ensures that all plans used to manage and mitigate risk are regularly reviewed and updated. She undertakes regular reviews of the child’s progress and considers any patterns or themes. As a result, the child is supported effectively in line with their plan and they are being helped to stay safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff communicate well with each other and provide consistent care for the child. Bespoke training ensures that they are skilled in meeting the child’s needs. The registered manager works with staff to help them understand what is working well for the child and to reflect on areas for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager communicates very well with partner agencies. She advocates for the child and escalates concerns when the child’s needs are not being met. Professionals said that the staff are providing excellent care for the child. One support worker said: ‘They have done wonders with [child] and this is absolutely the right home for [child].’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular, good-quality supervision. Staff have plenty of opportunities to discuss and reflect on their care of the child. Prior to any court-ordered restrictions of liberty being lifted, the registered manager completed reflective supervision with staff to test their knowledge of any safeguarding concerns that may arise. Any shortfall in practice was raised in supervision and staff were given clear guidance on their tasks to complete.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff’s learning and development are a priority. Staff have individual development plans that identify key strengths and areas for further development. Staff are provided with a wide range of training. As a result, staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to promote the safety and welfare of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel supported by the registered manager and describe ‘loving’ their jobs. Staff describe the registered manager as being approachable and that they feel valued. The staff team is very enthusiastic and passionate about offering excellent care to the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2753006 5

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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: 2753006 6

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michelle Donaghey

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Inspector

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2753006 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 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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