Children's home run by TrueCare NW Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2806504 1 Registered provider: True Care Northwest Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home.

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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: 2806504 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children spoke to the inspector about their experiences of living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children like living in the home. They say they feel happy, loved and well cared for. One child said, ‘It’s good here. Staff understand us, and they are caring.’ Staff provide a high standard of care, and children are making progress in all areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between staff and children are positive. Staff talk about the children with warmth, enthusiasm and pride. One child, who did not feel comfortable talking to adults before he moved in, now speaks more openly with staff. Children’s wishes and views are sought regularly, and children say they feel heard.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with their education. The manager is advocating tirelessly to find appropriate education provisions to meet the children’s needs. One child, who had not attended education for some time before moving into the home, is now actively learning and thriving. Alternatives are in place when children cannot go to school, and staff find creative ways to encourage their learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. Staff encourage and support children to attend health appointments as required. They provide children with a healthy diet and encourage them to take regular exercise. One child said they love going on long walks in the countryside with a staff member and their dog. Staff educate children about the health benefits of not smoking or vaping. However, the organisation’s policy has not been consistently applied to prevent children from using vaping devices in the garden.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff have developed positive relationships with children’s family members and communicate with them regularly. One parent said, ‘Staff are really good. They always communicate with me. I’m really happy with everything.’ One child sees their family most days, and staff often transport the child to and from visits.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a spacious home that is welcoming and well furnished throughout. There is ample space for children to relax and spend time together or apart. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and comfortable. The manager is converting a lounge into a games room for the children. Children enjoy inviting friends and family over to spend time socialising in the home.

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

There is a strong safeguarding culture in the home. Children’s risks and vulnerabilities are known and understood. They say they feel safe and secure living in the home. Staff work proactively and collaboratively with other agencies to ensure the safety of the Inspection report for children’s home: 2806504 3 children. When a child goes missing from the home, staff take swift and effective action to ensure that they return home quickly and safely.

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

Staff routinely encourage positive behaviour and use creative ways to reward children, which they respond well to. Regular discussions take place with children about topics relevant to them and their age and stage of development.

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

Appropriate and clear boundaries and expectations are in place, providing a consistent and stable environment. Staff help children understand and manage their feelings and behaviours safely. As a result, there has been no need for staff to physically hold the children to keep them safe.

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

Staff and children benefit from support from an external psychologist who visits the home each week. Staff regularly reflect on their practice with the psychologist, both individually and during team meetings.

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

Safer recruitment practices are in place to ensure that only adults who are safe to work with children are employed in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced, committed and caring. She promotes a positive ‘can-do’ approach in the home and is highly regarded by the children and the staff team. The manager receives support from a child-centred senior manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy working in the home. They feel valued and supported by the manager. Staff describe her as ‘approachable’ and ‘knowledgeable’. The manager and the staff have high expectations for themselves and the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works proactively and effectively with other agencies and professionals. She is a strong advocate for the children and routinely works in their best interests to ensure that their needs are met. A social worker said, ‘We work together to keep children safe. Communication is great and the manager is proactive.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular training opportunities to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. This includes bespoke training to equip them with the skills to meet the children’s current and emerging needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff team meetings and supervision sessions are regular and well organised. They focus on the children’s well-being and progress and provide opportunities to reflect on practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight of the home. She knows the strengths and areas of vulnerability and takes swift action to address any shortfalls. The manager regularly monitors the quality of care provided to the children. This ensures that ongoing improvements are made. Inspection report for children’s home: 2806504 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that each child’s day-to-day health and well- being needs are met. Staff should work to make the home an environment that supports the policy of no vaping on the premises, in line with the approach set out in the home’s statement of purpose and organisation’s policies. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.3)

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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: 2806504 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: True Care Northwest Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 107 Ditchfield Road, Widnes WA8 8RF

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Inspector

Zillah Brooks, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2806504 6 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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