Children's Home run by Therapeutic Care Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report children’s home: 2814022 1 Registered provider: Therapeutic Care Limited

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Full inspection 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 provider and provides care for up to two children who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were two children living in the home and they both spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

This is the home’s first inspection. The home and manager have been registered with Ofsted since November 2024.

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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: none Inspection report children’s home: 2814022 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children currently live in the home. One child moved from another home in the company in a planned way, to enable the child to be nearer to their family, friends and school. The child was involved in the decision-making process and was able to visit the home and meet the staff before moving in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The other child had previously lived at a home in the same company before moving back with their family. Unfortunately, this move was not successful and the child was able to move back to this home with staff they knew. This meant the child was able to settle quickly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are being met. Staff have supported one child to overcome their anxieties around attending health appointments. As a result, the child has attended the health services that they need to be healthy. Staff also educate children on issues such has healthy eating and the importance of exercise. This helps children to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of the individual children’s needs and there are detailed care plans in place. Staff carry out direct work with children in response to specific incidents. However, this is currently a reactive approach. The manager has recognised the need for staff to be more proactive in identifying and implementing support to meet the children’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager works closely with the teaching staff to maintain one child’s education placement. There is an agreed plan to reduce the child’s timetable to help the child manage their time in school so they can complete their GCSEs. For the other child new to the home, the manager is working with other professionals to identify an appropriate school that can meet the child’s needs. However, the manager has not ensured that both children are provided with a routine that includes formal and informal learning for the times that they are not attending school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to take part in activities both in the home and out in the community. Children are encouraged to try new activities with staff to develop their interests and hobbies. One child chooses to spend time with their friends in the local community. This helps to develop the child’s social skills.

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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. Support includes transporting children to see family and friends and maintaining good communication. This provides children with a support network where they feel safe to maintain relationships with people who matter most to them. Inspection report children’s home: 2814022 3 Staff celebrate children’s achievements. Staff give children meaningful rewards, based on their likes and interests. This positive approach helps children to develop a more positive view about themselves. Children’s wishes and feelings are actively encouraged through regular discussions. Children take an active part in making choices about their day-to-day lives.

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

The safety and well-being of children are at the centre of staff’s practice. Staff have a good understanding of children’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. Children’s risk management plans detail the risks posed to children. Clear and consistent strategies are identified for staff to follow to minimise these risks and keep children safe. Plans are reviewed regularly and updated following any incidents. This ensures that staff have the most up-to-date information.

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

Children are settling into the home and are starting to build trusting relationships with staff. Children said that they feel safe and know who to go to if they had any concerns or worries. One child said, ‘Staff are amazing, they really care for you and keep you safe.’ There have been no complaints.

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

Staff support children to take age-appropriate risk as part of their development for independence. For one child, this has meant that they have increased unsupervised time out in the community with friends. The staff are proactive in their support to educate the child about personal safety.

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

Staff implement clear rules and boundaries and have individualised expectations of behaviour, underpinned by a thorough understanding of the impact of trauma. Consequences given are fair and effective. Staff speak to the child about why the consequence was necessary and what the child needs to do to prevent further occurrences. There have been no missing-from-home incidents or behaviour that has required physical intervention to keep children safe.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted by staff through the relationships that they have built with children. Staff support children to identify how staff can help them when their emotions are heightened. Staff talk to children after any incident to look at ways for them to express their frustrations in a safer way.

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

The home environment is well maintained and decorated to a high standard. It is welcoming, bright and with photos of the children displayed on the walls. The manager ensures that all health and safety checks have been completed and this means that the children live in a safe environment.

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

Recruitment practices are safe. The manager ensures that all necessary checks are completed before staff start work in the home. This helps to ensure that adults working with children are safe to do so. Inspection report children’s home: 2814022 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced, child-focused and aspirational. He places the welfare of children at the centre of everything he and the staff do. The manager is supported by a deputy and they both ensure that they have good oversight of the day- to-day practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has ensured that there is a stable staff team in place. Staff provide children with a high level of care and continuity. Children receive support by staff who know them well and understand their needs and plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a comprehensive training programme in place. The manager ensures that staff receive the relevant training to meet the individual needs of children. The in-house therapist also offers guidance and support to staff to help them to understand and support children’s emotional and mental health needs. Staff said that they value this training in helping them to develop the skills they need to meet the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff receive appropriate supervision sessions and appraisals in the appropriate timescales. This gives staff an opportunity to reflect on their practice and look at any areas for their development. Staff spoken to said that they feel supported by their manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that team meetings are taking place regularly. These give staff the opportunity to share their experience and knowledge. This ensures that there is consistency in how staff meet the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has built positive relationships with others involved in the children’s care. He works effectively with other professionals and understands the importance of good communication. He is a strong advocate for children and will challenge other professionals when he identifies shortfalls in the service and support provided to children. Inspection report children’s home: 2814022 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when a child is not participating in full-time education, they are supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities for the whole school day. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 28, paragraph 5.15).  The registered person should ensure that staff are completing planned direct work to support children in meeting their needs identified in the care plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 16, paragraph 3.14).

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Information about this inspection

Inspector 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 children’s home: 2814022 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Therapeutic Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Therapeutic Care, Errigal House, Avroe Crescent, Blackpool FY4 2DP

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Inspector

Simon Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2814022 7 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 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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