Children's Home run by Therapeutic Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2811603 1 Registered provider: Therapeutic Care 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 registered with Ofsted in December 2024 and is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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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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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 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: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2811603 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

During the inspection, both children living in the home spoke to the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home registered with Ofsted, two children have moved in. Both moves have been well managed and were in accordance with children’s wishes and feelings. Children have been able to meet staff before they move to ensure that they feel comfortable. One child said, ‘I love it here. They have given me a home and have changed my life.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s education and children are encouraged to be aspirational for their futures. When children are not in full-time education, staff provide creative opportunities for learning. The manager works effectively with education professionals to resolve any issues that arise.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are attended to by staff. One child has had a history of non- engagement with health services. After encouragement from staff and the manager, they are now accessing a range of health services.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are able to express their wishes and feelings. Staff ensure that children are able to participate in important meetings and that outcomes are explained to them in a child-friendly manner. Staff hold regular discussions with children on important issues, such as staying safe, substance misuse and managing relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with their family and friends in a safe way. Arrangements for time with family and friends are individualised to each child and staff manage these effectively. Staff recognise the importance of social relationships for children, who are supported to develop and maintain friendships in the local area. Children are able to go out with friends in the community and have sleepovers, which promotes a sense of normality.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is furnished and decorated to a high standard and is well maintained. It is a safe environment for children.

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

Children are kept safe by staff who are attuned to their needs. Staff know the children’s strengths and vulnerabilities well. The children have been supported to settle in and are forming positive and trusting relationships with staff.

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

Incidents are generally effectively managed and staff are trained and skilled in de- escalation techniques. This promotes a positive and non-confrontational culture. Children are given positive praise to build their self-esteem and self-worth. Inspection report for children’s home: 2811603 3 There have been some missing-from-home episodes for both children. Staff follow robust procedures. They look for children and ensure that they are collected when they are ready to return home.

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

Staff are knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures and they know how to escalate concerns, including to external safeguarding agencies. However, safer recruitment practices have not always been followed. In one case, a full employment history has not been provided for a member of staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. His practice is child centred and he is aspirational for the children and the home. There is a strong deputy manager, who is being supported to progress in his career.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The children are cared for by a stable staff team, which ensures consistency for them. There is a range of training available to staff to support their skills in caring for the children. The manager ensures that staff have the skills to meet the children’s needs. Most of the staff are qualified and experienced in residential childcare. New members of staff complete a thorough induction and probation period before being enrolled to take a recognised residential childcare qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they feel supported by the management team, with extra measures being put in place for staff members when they struggle with aspects of their role. This promotes staff retention, which provides consistency and stability for children. There are regular team meetings, which are used for discussion and to embed learning. Staff receive regular supervision sessions which allow them to reflect on and develop their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has embedded a range of systems to monitor the quality of care given to the children. He has good oversight of the home and staff practice. The manager ensures that key documents are kept up to date. There is a comprehensive safe area report in place. However, he has not fully considered this when deciding if this home is suitable for the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2811603 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

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that a full employment history is obtained for all staff employed. Additionally, any gaps in employment must be fully explored and analysed. 31 July 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the safer area report is used when considering a new referral to the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.23)

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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: 2811603 5

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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 Ltd, Keystone House, Avroe Crescent, Blackpool FY4 2DP

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Inspector

Eve Ostridge, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2811603 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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