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

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

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Information about this children’s home

There is an interim manager in post who has submitted her application to be the registered manager.

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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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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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

The child has positive relationships with staff and can identify adults they trust. Staff take the child on activities outside of the home, which supports the child to build and maintain relationships. Staff also support the child to pursue their chosen hobbies. The child said, ‘I’m really happy here; I want to stay.’

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Findings from the inspection

The home is a warm and welcoming environment. Staff help children to personalise their bedrooms according to their individual tastes and interests. There are photos of the children and the people who are important to them throughout the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff consistently use consequences and rewards in the home to promote and celebrate positive behaviours and achievements. The child is regularly consulted about rewards and incentives and is involved in developing their own goals to work towards. Consequences imposed are appropriate and relevant to the behaviour displayed. There have been no instances where children have been physically held by staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Endings are a positive experience for children who move out of the home. The manager ensures that children can visit their new home and begin to build relationships with new staff. The manager ensures that any moves from the home are planned.

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Findings from the inspection

The child is not attending an education provision. Staff complete worksheets and educational activities daily with the child to support their learning and development. The manager and external agencies are working together to find the right solution that meets the child’s educational needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have the knowledge, skills and understanding to help keep the child safe. The child’s individual risk assessments are clear and contain detailed guidance for staff to follow. Staff undertake direct work with the child to develop their knowledge and understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been occasions where the child has self-injured. Staff provide the child with an opportunity to reflect on what happened and to consider positive strategies to manage difficult emotions. Staff complete searches of the child’s bedroom and respond quickly and appropriately to remove any items that the child could use to harm themselves. Records demonstrate that consent has been provided by the child where appropriate.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has implemented new systems for the recording and monitoring of children’s medication. Children’s medication is stored safely. There are clear plans in place for administering medication with detailed guidance for staff to follow. Records of medications administered are clear and regular medication checks are completed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 3 All staff have completed refresher training for administering medication following the new system being implemented.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has not had a registered manager since July 2024. There is an interim manager in post. She understands the children’s needs and is child focused. Staff say that they enjoy coming to work and describe feeling supported by their manager.

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Findings from the inspection

When complaints have arisen, these are managed efficiently. Recordings of complaints demonstrate actions taken by leaders and managers to resolve issues and provide evidence of their clear rationale for decision-making. Most serious incidents are appropriately notified to Ofsted in a timely manner. However, on two occasions, there has been a delay in notifying the regulator. This means that Ofsted is unable to scrutinise information to ensure that children are kept safe.

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Findings from the inspection

All previous recommendations made have been met. The requirement previously issued under Regulation 14 was not reviewed during this visit. For this reason, it is restated. A requirement under Regulation 40 has been implemented. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/08/2024 Full Good 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 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards.’ The registered person must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)) 1 February 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. 1 February 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 6 (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 7

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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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Inspectors

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Nicola Rutherford, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 8 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 looked-after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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