Children's Home run by Second Nature Care Group Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2807758 1 Registered provider: Second Nature Care Group 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 provider. It offers 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 manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this 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: 2807758 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children spoke with the inspector during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have the opportunity to visit the home before they move in, which gives them a sense of belonging and helps them settle. The home provides a welcoming environment. However, some areas require repairs, which gives the impression that the home is not loved. This includes damage to a television and torn wallpaper.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children can talk to staff about their views and experiences. However, a more creative and accessible approach is needed to ensure that all children’s voices are captured effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have warm and nurturing relationships with staff who understand them. Children have access to spaces in the home where they can relax and enjoy activities. Staff support them in pursuing their interests, which includes regular visits to skate parks and pump tracks. Notably, children have met their sporting role models, which has helped to build positive aspirations and promote self-confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education is prioritised; they have access to education that meets their individual needs. Staff communicate effectively with education providers, which gives them a shared understanding of children’s learning and behaviour strategies. As a result, children have made progress and understand the importance of education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work collaboratively with those who are significant to children to promote and sustain meaningful relationships. Parents say they feel well informed and involved in their children’s care. This contributes to children’s sense of identity and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff appropriately identify children's health needs, support them in attending relevant health appointments, and provide encouragement that promotes positive outcomes. For example, children who previously refused to wear spectacles are now doing so, resulting in improved vision. Children enjoy nutritious, well-balanced meals and are actively involved in menu planning and cooking activities.

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

Safeguarding arrangements are effective. Staff receive appropriate training linked to children’s needs and vulnerabilities. Further training is planned to ensure that staff’s skills are relevant to the children’s needs and risks.

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

Children’s behaviour support plans are detailed and regularly reviewed. They take account of any incidents that occur. Staff understand children’s behaviours and use de- escalation strategies consistently. Physical intervention is only used as a last resort and Inspection report for children’s home: 2807758 3 when necessary and proportionate. However, children and staff do not always receive timely debriefs. This limits the opportunities for reflection and practice evaluation.

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

Safer recruitment practices are followed, and the staff team benefits from a diverse range of employment experience. This enhances staff’s ability to provide care effectively.

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

Staff understand children’s individual risks and the strategies to reduce them. They use children’s risk assessments to inform direct work, which aims to enhance children’s understanding of risk and foster their social, emotional and practical life skills.

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

Partnership working is a strength of the home. Staff collaborate effectively with external agencies, including local authority social workers, teachers, and specialist services, such as speech and language therapists. One social worker said, ‘I am really confident in the care that is provided; their communication is brilliant, and they really understand the needs of the children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is currently being overseen by the deputy manager and responsible individual due to the manager’s absence. Despite the changes in management, staff say they feel well supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External professionals speak positively about leaders and managers. They say they are responsive and child centred, and they demonstrate a strong commitment to multi- agency practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, reflective supervision where they are encouraged to contribute their views. There is a culture of learning and openness. Staff are informed of audit outcomes and participate in discussions regarding strategic developments and the outcomes of independent visits. This supports cohesive practice and continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are held regularly. They are an opportunity for staff to share information, reflect on practice, and embed consistent approaches across the team. This ensures that all staff are working in line with the home’s ethos.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have reviewed and strengthened the systems for overseeing practice in the home. They have identified areas for improvement and implemented changes to practice as a result. Inspection report for children’s home: 2807758 4

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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

within 24 hours of the use of the measure of a control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”) —

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children and staff have the opportunity to take part in debriefs following all incidents involving the use of physical intervention. 30 July 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any damage to the home is repaired. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that children are consulted regularly about their views and that consultation takes account of their developmental needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 21, paragraph 4.11) Inspection report for children’s home: 2807758 5

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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: 2807758 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Second Nature Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Black Bull House, 353 to 355 Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6EE

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Inspector

Jon Dutton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2807758 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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