Children's Home run by Residential Child Care Community (North West) Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2766141 1 Registered provider: Residential Child Care Community (North West) 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 owned and managed by a private provider. The home provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, the home was providing care for two children.

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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

Date of last inspection: 17 September 2024

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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 this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: 2766141 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

One child has moved on from the home since the full inspection. The provider had served notice on the child’s placement after identifying that staff could no longer meet the child’s needs. Despite this, the transition was planned, and the child had a positive experience of moving on.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the children well and understand how to keep them safe. When children’s risks change, staff update their plans to ensure that these changes are communicated to all staff and support a consistent approach.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been significant improvement in the registered manager’s auditing and monitoring processes. The registered manager now has clear oversight of the home, which is clearly recorded and promotes staff development. As an example, the registered manager reviews key-work sessions over a month to review the impact on children in relation to incidents and behaviours. This approach enables the registered manager to identify areas of progress or those that require further support.

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Findings from the inspection

The quality of direct work completed with children by staff has improved, with sessions more reflective of children’s individual needs. Staff now adapt sessions to address specific areas of support, providing a more child-centred approach. Regular reviews for this work ensure that topics addressed remain relevant and responsive to each child’s progress. Clear records demonstrate how sessions contribute to children’s development and well-being. Children are actively engaged in discussions and staff have a good understanding of how to adapt their approach to meet changing needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has ensured that all new staff members are familiar with the fire drill protocol. Clear procedures are in place and new staff receive guidance and engage in a fire drill as part of their induction to the home. This ensures that staff have a detailed understanding of what to do in the event of a fire to promote the safety of children and themselves.

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Findings from the inspection

Challenges remain in supporting children to engage in education, and their progress remains limited. Despite staff efforts, children continue to struggle with attendance, motivation and attainment. However, staff are creative in their approach, using personalised strategies to encourage participation and make learning more accessible. Staff work closely with education providers and seek alternative learning opportunities to meet children’s individual needs. Although these efforts have begun to have some positive impact, further work is needed to ensure that children make sustained progress in their education. Subsequently, the requirement under regulation 8 is restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2766141 3 The registered manager generally follows appropriate procedures in reporting significant events. However, on one occasion, a complaint made by a child was not shared with the regulator as required. This meant that oversight and external

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Findings from the inspection

scrutiny were delayed. Although there was no direct impact on the child’s welfare and the complaint was subsequently withdrawn, failure to report in a timely manner does not align with regulatory expectations. The registered manager has reviewed procedures to prevent a recurrence and ensure that there is full compliance with safeguarding and reporting requirements.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has taken action to address the shortfalls raised at the full inspection. Most of the requirements given at the full inspection have now been met. One requirement has been restated, and a further recommendation has been made. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2766141 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2766141 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children’s education plans are continually promoted to ensure that their engagement in effective and appropriate education is consistent.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 1 May 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that Ofsted and other relevant persons are consistently notified if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)–(e) occurs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2766141 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Residential Child Care Community (North West) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 843 Finchley Road, London NW11 8NA

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Inspector

Carrie Mayes, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2766141 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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