Children's Home run by Springboard Care Services Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 1 Registered provider: Springboard Care Services Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home was registered with Ofsted in May 2025 and is owned by a private provider. It offers care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. The inspector spoke to the child about their experiences of living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This was the home’s first inspection since registration and was brought forward due to there being no registered manager.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 2

p.1

improvement to be good

Since the home opened, two children have moved into the home. One child’s time living at the home ended abruptly due to staff being unable to meet their needs and an increase in serious incidents. Consequently, children’s experiences are not always positive.

p.2

improvement to be good

Although one child has only lived at the home for a brief period, the child is starting to make progress. The child’s social worker said, ‘[child’s name] is now a different child.’ Prior to moving in, the child’s needs were fully considered to ensure that the needs of the child could be safely met.

p.2

improvement to be good

The child is registered with relevant health services. However, meaningful conversations around the risks of smoking are not documented. This does not help the child to understand how to stay healthy.

p.2

improvement to be good

Staff work collaboratively with other professionals and multi-agency working is a strength of the home.

p.2

improvement to be good

Staff regularly encourage the child to express their wishes and feelings. This is achieved through regular discussions. Staff support the child to be involved in their day-to-day care, including activities and meals.

p.2

improvement to be good

The home is clean and tidy and has sufficient space for the child who lives there.

p.2

improvement to be good

The child said that they are building trusting relationships with staff, and that they like living in the home. Interactions between staff and the child are positive.

p.2

improvement to be good

There have been several serious incidents during this inspection period. This has included a child being taken to hospital after incidents in the home and the police being contacted to help staff manage a child’s behaviour. Records of incidents include details of actions taken by staff and the support provided to the child. However, records lack professional curiosity. Not all serious incidents have been notified to Ofsted as required by regulation. This limits the regulator’s oversight of practice in the home.

p.2

improvement to be good

Risk management and behaviour support plans consider previous and current risks. However, not all known risks have been included in the child’s risk management plan and records fail to include guidance for staff to follow to keep the child safe. Although staff understand the child’s risk, this does not ensure that all staff know how to respond should incidents occur. Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 3 Staff help each child to understand the risks they may be exposed to in the community and online. Staff encourage and support each child to take age-appropriate risks to help develop their independence skills and confidence.

p.2

improvement to be good

There have been no incidents of a child going missing from the home since the home opened. When a child has left the home without permission, staff have taken appropriate action to ensure the child’s safety.

p.3

improvement to be good

Complaints in the home are infrequent On the one occasion when a child did raise a complaint, swift action was undertaken to ensure that the child’s voice was heard and their thoughts respected. Appropriate action was undertaken to resolve the complaint and the child was updated on the outcome.

p.3

improvement to be good

Leaders appropriately share information with stakeholders. When there are concerns about practice, managers ask for a review of their safeguarding processes by the local authority designated officer.

p.3

improvement to be good

Safer recruitment practices have not always been implemented to ensure that only adults who are safe are employed in the home. This compromises children’s safety.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home has operated without a registered manager since July 2025. A new manager has been appointed but has not yet started working in the home. The responsible individual and the deputy manager are supporting the team in the interim.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff are positive about the support they receive. They enjoy working at the home and are committed to improving outcomes for the child.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Team meetings take place and provide staff with the opportunity to reflect on the child’s needs. The home’s therapist is supporting the team to embed the home’s therapeutic model as records are not always written in ways that are helpful to the child.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff have not received a thorough induction or received regular reflective supervision in line with the home’s workforce development plan. This does not help staff to carry out their roles effectively or provide formal opportunities for reflection. This is a missed opportunity to support staff’s understanding of the needs of the child in the home. Leaders and managers have identified this as a shortfall.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff have not received all training to meet the child’s needs. The home’s workforce development plan is not regularly updated to reflect the home’s aims and objectives. This means that staff do not have the necessary skills and knowledge to work consistently and effectively with the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 4 Leaders and managers have not formally escalated concerns when a child’s statutory documents have not been received. This does not ensure that the child receives care in line with their statutory plans.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers do not have effective internal monitoring systems in place. This limits opportunities to monitor and evaluate the care provided to children. The home has appointed an independent person. The report from the independent person provides external evaluation and challenge to leaders and managers. These changes are continuing to be embedded, and leaders and managers can identify opportunities to further develop the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Language in a record about a child did not have language which is child focused or therapeutic. Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 5

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.5

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care for each child;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.5

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.5

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of the children are best met;

p.5

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(e)(f)(g)(i)(h)) 24 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 6 Specifically, the registered person must ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction and receives reflective supervision as identified in the home’s workforce development plan.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered provider must ensure that there are clear internal and external monitoring systems in place to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided.

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

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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; and

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)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that children’s risks are clearly assessed. They must ensure that staff are provided with training, guidance and strategies to support them to reduce risks. 24 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 7 The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

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

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.7

Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

p.7

Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

p.7

Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

p.7

Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice.

p.7

Requirement Due date

that the care is approved, and kept under review throughout its duration, by the placing authority;

p.7

Requirement Due date

that the care is delivered by a person who— Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 8 has the experience, knowledge and skills to deliver that care; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

is under the supervision of a person who is appropriately skilled and qualified to supervise that care. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix) (3)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii))

p.8

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that care is provided in line with the home’s statement of purpose.

p.8

Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered person must ensure that escalation processes are followed if documents are not provided in a timely manner by children’s placing authorities.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

p.8

Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

p.8

Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

p.8

Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s wellbeing. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

p.8

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children are supported to maintain their health and understand the dangers of smoking or vaping. 24 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 9 The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.8

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

p.9

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

p.9

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.9

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.9

Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

p.9

Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person may permit an individual to start work at the home despite the fact that the requirement in paragraph (3)(d) has not been met if—

p.9

Requirement Due date

the registered person has taken all reasonable steps to obtain full information about each of the matters in Schedule 2 in respect of the individual, but the enquiries in relation to any of the matters in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2 are incomplete;

p.9

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information in respect of the individual has been obtained in relation to the matters in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2;

p.9

Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the circumstances are exceptional; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

the registered person ensures that the individual is appropriately supervised while carrying out the individual’s duties, pending receipt of any outstanding information on the matters in 24 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 10 paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2, which is then considered satisfactory by the registered person.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must take reasonable steps to ensure that any individual who is working at the home and who does not fall within paragraph (2)(a) and (b) is appropriately supervised while carrying out the individual’s duties. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d) (7)(a)(b)(c)(d) (8))

p.10

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that safer recruitment practices are followed in the home.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.10

Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

p.10

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e)) 24 October 2025

p.10

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the workforce development plan details the process and agreed timescales for any core training. The plan should be kept updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working in the home, and used to record ongoing training, and continuing professional development needs of staff, including the home’s manager. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.08)  The registered person should ensure that they challenge (under regulation 5(c)) any placing authority when the child’s care plan has not been received when updated in line with the home’s escalation policy. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 56, paragraph 11.5)  The registered person should ensure that staff complete records in a way that is helpful to children and write in a non-stigmatising way. (‘Guide to the Children’s

p.10

Recommendations

Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 11

p.10

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: 2823693 12

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Springboard Care Services Limited

p.12

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Chandler House, 7 Ferry Road Office Park, Riversway, Preston, Lancashire PR2 2YH

p.12

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Sarah Littlechild

p.12

Inspector

Michelle Snape, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2823693 13 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.12

Inspector

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 .

p.13

Inspector

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.13

Inspector

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

p.13

Inspector

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

p.13