Children's Home run by Theracare Homes Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2673338 1 Registered provider: Theracare Homes 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 is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home. They spoke with the inspectors about their experiences of living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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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 these inspections, 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: 2673338 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, one child has moved out of the home and one child has recently moved in. Where possible, children have been supported to move into and out of the home in a planned way. Before a child moved into the home, their needs were considered alongside those of the child already living there.

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Findings from the inspection

Relationships between staff and children are positive. Staff are child centred and have high aspirations for children. Children enjoy spending time with staff both inside and outside of the home. They are offered a range of fun activities, and their interests are nurtured.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support and encourage children with their education, and are ambitious for them to do well. One child who did not attend school before living in the home, regularly engages with education and is making significant progress with their learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know and understand the children’s risks and vulnerabilities well. Children’s risk and behaviour management plans are clear and individualised. Staff are provided with guidance about how to respond should risks arise.

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Findings from the inspection

Allegations are managed appropriately. The manager ensures that allegations made by children are investigated and shared with the relevant professionals. Children are made aware of outcomes and are supported throughout the process.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have regular conversations with children to help them understand positive behaviour. There are clear rules and boundaries in place, and children are helped to manage their behaviours and feelings safely. One child has needed to be held on occasion to keep them safe. The manager and staff always review any holds and have sought additional therapeutic support for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a calm, spacious and well-maintained home. Their bedrooms are well furnished and personalised to reflect their individual tastes. Communal areas are comfortable, and there is ample room for children to play in the garden. However, some windows and doors are locked. This prevents children from accessing all communal areas of their home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to spend time with people who are important to them. They recently enabled a child to see their brothers who live some distance away. The child thoroughly enjoyed spending time with their family and having the opportunity to maintain significant relationships. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2673338 3 Staff benefit from team meetings and supervision sessions. However, supervision is not always regular. The manager and other staff have not had their practice reviewed within timescales.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are provided with training that is relevant to the needs of the children. However, not all staff have completed training to help meet the needs of the child who has recently moved into the home. Most new staff have not previously worked in a home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff enjoy working at the home. One staff member said, ‘It’s really good here. The children are happy.’ There are sufficient staff employed by the home. However, on one occasion at night, there was not enough staff available to meet the needs of the children. This is something that the manager has taken action to address.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is committed to his role and is well supported by his deputy. He is accessible to staff and fully involved in the children’s lives. The manager and the deputy are focused on improving outcomes for children. They are both strong and proactive advocates for the children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2673338 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/11/2022 Full Inadequate 27/07/2022 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2673338 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) 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(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(c)) 27 May 2025

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Requirement Due date

the privacy of children is appropriately protected;

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)) 27 May 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— 27 May 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2673338 6 receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c))

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Recommendation

 The registered manager should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them, including during the night. (Guide to Children’s Home’s Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2673338 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Theracare Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 10 Ambassador Place, Stockport Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 8DB

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Inspectors

Zillah Brooks, Social Care Inspector Michelle Snape, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2673338 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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