Children's home run by Therapeutic Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2775486 1 Registered provider: Therapeutic Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024. This was the home’s first inspection since registration.

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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: 2775486 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have moved into the home since it was registered. Before they moved in, the manager considered the children’s needs and the skills and expertise of staff. Children were given opportunities to visit the home and meet the staff before moving in. This helps children to feel relaxed and safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. The staff ensure that children are registered with the doctors, dentist, and opticians. One child who has not been to see the dentist for a significant period is now attending appointments and having treatment to improve their dental hygiene.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to spend time with their family and friends. Staff have developed relationships with family members and encourage children to spend time with their friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to attend school and have high aspirations for them. The manager is proactive in seeking appropriate education for a child who is not in school. The manager has challenged other professionals and escalated their concerns about a child’s lack of education to senior managers in the local authority and the children’s commissioner to help reach a resolution. However, while an education provision is being sought, staff do not ensure that the child has routine and structure during the day.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are involved in making decisions about their lives. Children can talk openly about aspects of their lives, their thoughts, and feelings with staff. Staff are supportive and talk through events with them to try to help them understand risk and allow them time to consider conversations. This helps the children feel safe and develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop hobbies and interests. The staff regularly take children out on day trips and to activities in the local community. Recently, staff decorated the home with the children in preparation for Halloween. The children are also encouraged to engage in home-based activities. One child said that they enjoy cooking and often help prepare evening meals.

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

The staff have developed an excellent understanding of the children’s needs and how to keep them safe. When children make disclosures, staff act appropriately and refer these to the relevant agencies. One child said that they know how to make a complaint if they need to and was able to name several staff that they can talk to. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Inspection report for children’s home: 2775486 3 Risk assessments are comprehensive and easily accessible. Risk management plans are reviewed regularly, so that progress or emerging patterns are identified. There is clear guidance for staff to follow to help them minimise risk. Staff support children to understand risk, using a playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy (PACE) approach. This helps children to understand risk and how to keep themselves safe.

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

Children are provided with clear rules and boundaries. The manager effectively identifies and challenges inconsistencies in staff approaches. This helps avoid any confusion for children. The staff promote positive behaviours with praise and reward systems. Consequences are used for any unwanted behaviours; these are proportionate and regularly reviewed. Children are given opportunities to reflect. This means children understand clear and reasonable expectations.

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

Children are encouraged to develop their independence in line with their age and understanding. The manager and staff are currently developing a plan to support one child to walk to school independently. The plan is supportive of the child’s needs and carefully considers risks. There is clear guidance for the child and staff to follow in an emergency. The plan will be reviewed at each stage to consider progress and make any necessary changes.

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

When children go missing, staff follow the missing-from-home protocol effectively. They ensure that the relevant professionals are informed, speak to family and friends, and work collaboratively to secure children’s safe return. Staff are proactive, including continuing to make contact with children and searching local areas to bring them home safely. When children are found, they are welcomed back to the home. Children and staff are provided with debriefs and a return home interview takes place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced and has the appropriate qualification in leadership and management. They have a vision and ambition for the future development of the home. Staff say that they feel supported and, as a result, are enthusiastic to provide the best care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that children are cared for by an experienced team. Most of the staff have completed the relevant qualification and are employed on a permanent basis. Any gaps in the rota are covered either by bank staff or by staff from another home in the company who know the children well. This means that children experience minimal disruption.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is dedicated to ensuring that staff attend training. They also provide additional learning, including quizzes and developmental supervision, to review their understanding of specific areas. The manager recognises staff capabilities and advocates for staff progression, supporting them closely to develop their roles and responsibilities. One staff member said, ‘I enjoyed the induction process and have found that the training available has been incredible to develop my knowledge.’ Staff are enthusiastic to learn new skills and develop their knowledge, which is beneficial for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2775486 4 The manager has oversight of all incidents. Evaluations of records are reflective and consider the impact the incident has had on the child. The manager is clear about future learning and actions required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has monitoring systems in place to consider the quality of care being provided. They use information from the independent person’s reports to continue to improve practice. This means that the quality of care provided to the children is always being improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals from external agencies speak highly of the manager. The manager communicates well with professionals and challenges them effectively and in the child’s best interests to secure the best outcomes. A social worker said, ‘The organisation of staff is very good, they always keep you informed.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2775486 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff support children who are not in school to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 28, paragraph 5.15)

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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: 2775486 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: Errigal House, Avroe Crescent, Blackpool FY4 2DP

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Inspector

Sarah Probert, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2775486 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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