Children's Home run by Therapeutic Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2762096 1 Registered provider: Therapeutic Care Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A private provider runs this home. The home provides care for up to two children who may experience emotional and/or social difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2023. The provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking that this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2762096 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/07/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2762096 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

During the inspection, both children spoke to the inspectors.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children living at the home have been there for 18 months. They are settled and making progress in all areas of their life. The children have been provided with stability and the opportunity to develop trusting relationships with staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well understood. Staff ensure that they have access to routine and specialist health care services. When concerns arise around mental health the in- house therapist plays a key role in providing tailored emotional support and guidance to children and staff. This assists children to better understand their life experiences and emotions. One trainee social worker said, ‘I wish there were more places like [name of home]. The therapeutic aspect is important for children who have experienced trauma.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s educational needs are prioritised. One child continues to attend a school some distance away, with staff providing daily transport. This has ensured minimal disruption to the child’s learning. Another child has successfully taken their GCSEs and has secured a college placement.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage and support children to develop age-appropriate life skills. However, staff need to strengthen their approach to educating children about healthy relationships and consent. This will help children to develop healthy connections with others and prepare them for adulthood.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff value the importance of family time and advocate for children to sustain relationships with their families and people important to them. Children are encouraged to spend time with friends in the community. Fostering their relationships and independence and ensuring their safety.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of their care and day-to-day life. Staff listen to children and actively seek their views. They promote the children’s development of their interests, such as football and music. The children have recently planned individual holidays abroad with staff to Spain and Greece.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is clean, comfortable and well maintained, with further improvements planned. However, staff smoking in the garden area undermines efforts to model healthy behaviours to children.

p.3

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

Children are kept safe by the staff in the home, who are attuned to their needs and understand their strengths and vulnerabilities. When concerns arise, staff use their knowledge of therapeutic approaches to diffuse situations quickly and sensitively. Staff Inspection report for children’s home: 2762096 4 hold regular discussions with children on important issues such as staying safe and their emotional well–being, which helps them to feel understood.

p.3

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

Staff encourage positive behaviours with the use of incentives. Negative consequences are used sparingly as part of a supportive approach. This helps children reflect on their behaviour and find better ways to express themselves.

p.4

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

Staff support children to use the internet safely. When concerns arise regarding children’s internet use staff seek out information to enhance their own understanding about the digital world. This means staff are better equipped to support children to navigate the internet safely.

p.4

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

There have been several missing-from-home incidents. When these happen, staff follow the accepted procedures and look for children. Staff also communicate with the wider network to aid a quick and safe return home. As a result of staff interventions, there has been a reduction in missing-from-home incidents. However, risk assessment documents have not always provided clear guidance for staff. This has meant on some occasions staff practice has not always been consistent.

p.4

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

The manager ensures safer recruitment practices. When allegations are made, the manager ensures that all safeguarding procedures are followed. Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and know how to escalate any safeguarding concerns.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. He has a good understanding of the children’s individual needs. His child-centred approach ensures that the children are at the heart of all decision-making.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable and dedicated staff team with an array of experience. Staff are tenacious and are proud of the progress that children are making. Staff celebrate children’s achievements, promoting their confidence and self-esteem.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff access regular training to maintain their skills and knowledge. The manager is committed to enhancing staff skills and knowledge through tailored training that addresses the evolving needs of the children. Staff said that they value this training, and it gives them confidence in their roles.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular supervision that provides opportunities for professional development. New staff benefit from an induction programme. This equips them with the skills and knowledge required to understand and meets children’s needs and ensure that they are well prepared for the role. Staff say they feel supported and valued.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly and are opportunities for staff to share information, reflect on practice and engage in further learning. This helps to promote and strengthen consistent practice across the team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2762096 5 The manager has a range of systems to monitor performance and the quality of care. The independent person visits the home monthly. The manager welcomes the feedback as a tool to drive improvement and strengthen practice within the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2762096 6

p.4

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.6

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare;

p.6

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff understand their responsibilities when a child is missing from home and act in accordance with these.

p.6

Requirement Due date

There must be clear and consistent systems in place to monitor children’s risk assessments. They must ensure that documents reflect children’s current risks and are clear and easily understood. 28 August 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2762096 7 The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(vi)(vii))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff provide children with an understanding of healthy relationships, sexuality and consent. 11 September 2025

p.7

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.7

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.7

Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff adhere to the provider’s smoking policy and ensure that staff smoke away from the premises. 11 September 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2762096 8

p.7

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: 2762096 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Therapeutic Care Limited

p.9

Children’s home details

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

p.9

Inspectors

Eve Ostridge, Social Care Inspector Shauna Morley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2762096 10 regulates 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 looked-after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.9

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.10