Children's Home run by Northridge Care Group Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home: 2803965 1 Registered provider: Northridge Care Group Ltd

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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 owned and managed by a small private provider. The home provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities. .

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in January 2025. This was the home’s first inspection since registration.

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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 outstanding

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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 for children's home: 2803965 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child speaks positively about their relationships with staff and recognises that regardless of their behaviour or how often they try to push boundaries, staff remain consistent, patient and committed to their well-being. The child said ‘staff genuinely care about me’, which helps them to feel secure and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is promoted in a way that prioritises the child’s emotional well-being, ensuring that they are not overwhelmed. Staff maintain a careful balance, encouraging consistent engagement in learning while being mindful of the child’s needs. This approach has contributed to the child recently completing and passing key examinations, reflecting meaningful progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s emotional health can be impacted by their past experiences and peer influences in a negative way. Staff are proactive in recognising and responding to the child’s needs. They seek regular guidance from external professionals to ensure that the child receives the most-effective support. A key strength of the home is the trusting relationships that staff have made with the child. As a result, the child is more open when they may need additional support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the child to maintain good physical health using a holistic and sensitive approach. Staff work closely with health professionals to ensure that individualised support is in place. This ensures that the child has access to accurate information, advice and specialist services. Open, age-appropriate conversations help the child to feel empowered to make informed choices about their health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide support for the child to develop their independence at a pace that suits their individual needs and abilities. Staff encourage life skills through personalised goals and everyday routines, while being mindful not to place unrealistic expectations on the child. Staff recognise that this is an area of ongoing development and are keen to strengthen opportunities for independence in a way that remains supportive and child focused.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of family time for the child. They provide thoughtful and sensitive support to encourage and develop positive relationships between the child and those who are important to them. Family members are supported to visit the home, where staff create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.

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

The child living in the home has complex needs and engages in high-risk-taking behaviours, including risks associated with exploitation. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of these risks and the child’s individual needs. Staff have consistently engaged with multi-agency professionals to ensure a coordinated and effective response to safeguarding concerns. Inspection report for children's home: 2803965 3 Incidents of the child going missing from home continue to occur. However, staff respond with a consistent and proactive approach. This has contributed to an emerging decrease in both the frequency and duration of missing incidents, which demonstrates the positive impact of staff support.

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

Staff are trained to respond calmly and safely when any incidents occur, to promote the child’s welfare. Physical interventions are used only as a last resort when all the strategies to de-escalate the situation have been unsuccessful. All incidents are thoroughly reviewed by the registered manager to ensure that interventions are appropriate, proportionate and used in line with the child's care plan.

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

The registered manager has proactively sought to gain a deeper understanding of wider risk factors by regularly liaising with professionals involved in the care of known associates of the child. This has enabled the registered manager to enhance safeguarding measures and identify preventative strategies. As a result, potential risks are identified in a timely manner and managed effectively to support the child’s safety and well-being in the home and the community.

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

Therapeutic support is embedded in staff’s approach, helping the team to understand the child behaviours in response to their experiences. Regular input from therapists and other professionals ensure that staff provide care that is reflective and trauma informed.

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

There has been a recent change in the independent person conducting visits to the children’s home, which has led to an improved overview of the quality of care provided by staff. To support the regulator's oversight, the registered manager should ensure that all reports are submitted to Ofsted in a timely manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager demonstrates excellent, inspiring leadership skills, leading by example and modelling best practice. She promotes an inclusive environment for the child in the home, and is ambitious regarding staff learning and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager effectively coordinates a range of professionals to support the child’s progress. This collaborative approach ensures that even small steps of progress are recognised and celebrated, helping to build the child’s confidence and self-esteem.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

When staff have questioned their ability to consistently meet the child’s complex needs, the registered manager has been receptive and proactive, encouraging open dialogue and seeking external support and guidance as needed. This remains an ongoing process and the registered manager is fully aware of the importance of continuing to support staff to ensure that the child’s needs are met effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings are used as valuable development sessions. The registered manager regularly invites external professionals involved in the child’s care and integrates current research to enhance staff knowledge and practice. This promotes continuous learning Inspection report for children's home: 2803965 4 and ensures that the team are up to date regarding the individual needs of the child and stay informed about best practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular, reflective supervision from the registered manager, who reviews their practice and shows professional challenge when shortfalls are identified. The registered manager has been supportive of staff when incidents have occurred in the home and encourages open dialogue to mitigate any further issues arising.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has utilised their skills in developing practice to create a comprehensive tool for staff that supports them when studying for their diploma in residential care. This provides clear guidance to ensure that staff are well equipped to use their practice experience to support their learning and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

When complaints have been received from members of the community the registered manager has responded with empathy and a proactive approach. Efforts have been made by the staff team to build positive relationships and improve understanding, promoting the child’s sense of belonging in the community. Inspection report for children's home: 2803965 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that an independent person is appointed to make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for children’s care and that subsequent reports are shared in a timely manner with the regulator. (‘Guide to The Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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: 2803965 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northridge Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Richard House, 9 Winckley Square, Preston PR1 3HP

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Inspector

Carrie Mayes, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2803965 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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