Children's home run by Therapeutic Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2740092 1 Registered provider: Therapeutic Care 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

This children’s home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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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

Date of last 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 children’s home: 2740092 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children moved into the home shortly after it was registered. This was a planned and agreed move from another company. As a result, the children knew the staff team and the manager. One social worker referred to the move as ‘a family moving homes’. The children were involved in the preparation of the home. They were able to visit and choose how they would like their rooms, ready for when they moved in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a large, detached home with established gardens. Children have been involved in planting fruit and vegetables, as well as helping to paint fences. There is a seating area for meals outside and a large paddling pool for children to enjoy in the warm weather. Inside, the home is nicely furnished and clean throughout. There are photos of the children, which ensures a homely feel for them. Children’s bedrooms are personalised, and any requests for items for their rooms to make them more comfortable are agreed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At times, both children have struggled to attend education. However, with staff support, encouragement and creativity, children have still made positive progress. One child has sat all their GCSE exams and is now awaiting their results. They have an offer at a local college to complete their chosen course. Another child is now attending education off site, focusing on practical construction skills, which they are showing an interest in. An incentive called ‘the ladder of success’ has played a big part in maintaining children’s motivation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support children with time with their families. For one child, this has increased from supervised calls to preparing for overnight visits. This is a significant achievement that demonstrates how staff have helped children to repair and build on important relationships. Staff have also ensured that children have been able to maintain friendships that they had made when living at their previous home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to be active and healthy. As a result, children enjoy walking and cycling. In addition, the staff transformed the garage into a small gym equipped with a punchbag, treadmill and exercise bike. There are weekly gym workouts added alongside the home’s monthly step challenge. For one child, this has been particularly beneficial.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical health needs are well met. Their emotional support needs are met by the staff, who receive weekly therapeutic consultations for the home’s therapist. The staff have regular nurturing and empathetic conversations with children filled with curiosity and acceptance. As a result, children have developed positive and trusting relationships with the staff and are continuing to grow emotionally. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740092 3

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

Children are supported by a staff team that is attentive and supportive. Some staff have known the children for several years. The staff have a good understanding of children’s individual needs, and their consistent support has meant that many of the children’s risks have reduced.

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

One child has recently made friends in the local area. The child was involved in creating their safety plan and follows this when they are out. There has only been one minor incident while the child has been out with friends, and this was addressed robustly by the staff, who had detailed and engaging conversations with the child about their actions. There have not been any incidents of children going missing from the home, although the staff understand the process to be followed should this be needed.

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

The manager reviews the suitability of the location of the home regularly, and the staff have conversations with the children about any updates. They ask children if they feel safe in the area and reiterate that although risks are low, they need to be responsible for their own safety when out with friends. As a result, children are aware of risks in the area and the incidences of crime.

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

Incidents are rare. There has been one incident when a child was held. This was overseen by the responsible individual as the manager was involved. The hold was deemed to be appropriate to prevent injury, and the child was monitored following the incident and had the opportunity to speak to someone.

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

Children know who they can talk to if they have any concerns and say they feel comfortable speaking to any staff member. They are also regularly visited by their social worker.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. He, the team and the children have prepared the home ready for their move, and as a result, everyone takes pride in maintaining a homely and welcoming environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight of the home. He has introduced systems to ensure that actions from meetings and plans are robustly monitored and completed. This ensures that children are receiving the care they need in a timely manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are complimentary of the manager’s leadership style and the support he has provided since coming to work at the home. Supervisions are regular and thorough, and the manager has supported all staff through their probationary period with regular reviews. He continues to look at ways that he can develop the staff. As a result, there is a committed, knowledgeable and motivated staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740092 4 Team meetings take place regularly. These are child-centred and focus on current issues for children. For example, when one child began to go out with their friends, the team meeting recapped on the area’s missing-from-home guidance and included a quiz for staff and other resources that equipped the staff with knowledge to share with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team has been consistent, and the manager does not use agency staff. The staff work together to cover gaps in the rota, which ensures that children are provided with consistency and maintains the family feel that the staff strive for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations have been made. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740092 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: 2740092 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Therapeutic Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Therapeutic Care, Errigal House, Avroe Crescent, Blackpool FY4 2DP

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Inspector

Kerri Lynch, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2740092 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 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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