Children's Home run by Therapeutic Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2762093 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

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

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Information about this children’s home

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

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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.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2762093 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/08/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2762093 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

During the inspection, the child living in the home spoke to the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home. One child has moved back to their family home. Staff and the manager worked sensitively with the child, their family and other social care professionals to ensure that the move was completed in a measured and planned way. This has meant that the child has felt supported and has given reunification the best chance of success. The child was able to take all their belongings to their new home and has stayed in touch with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has recently moved into the home. Staff and the manager visited the child to spend time with them before they moved in. The child is forming positive relationships with staff, who already show a good understanding of their needs. The child said, ‘The people here are great. I love it here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is valued in the home. Staff work with education professionals to ensure that children achieve good outcomes. When children are not in education, staff provide creative opportunities for learning. Children take part in extra-curricular activities and can pursue their hobbies and interests. Children have been able to go on holiday with staff, both abroad and in the UK.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prepare children for adulthood. Children are encouraged to learn about budgeting, cooking and other independence tasks in an age-appropriate way. One child has been able to complete a work experience opportunity with a member of staff for several weeks. This has given them insight to possible careers that they may wish to pursue as an alternative to college education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are understood by staff. When children are reluctant to engage with health professionals, staff persevere and provide education on the importance of looking after their health. Staff provide education on important subjects such as sexual health, consent and healthy relationships. However, children are not always fully given the opportunity to process their past experiences with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a clean, comfortable and safe environment for children. There has been a recent addition of a conservatory, which has given more useable space for the children. Children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms, which promotes a sense of ownership and belonging.

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

Children are kept safe by staff, who have a good understanding of their risks and vulnerabilities. When allegations are made against staff, the provider follows robust Inspection report for children’s home: 2762093 4 procedures to ensure that children are effectively safeguarded. There is good information-sharing to ensure transparency and oversight from other agencies.

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

Staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities, including how to escalate concerns to external safeguarding agencies. The manager has ensured that staff do not become complacent. Hypothetical safeguarding scenarios are discussed regularly to enhance staff knowledge and skills. New members of staff have been recruited safely. This ensures that only suitable individuals work with children.

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

When concerns arise, staff use their knowledge of therapeutic approaches to diffuse situations quickly and sensitively. Physical intervention is rare. However, on one occasion, a staff member has physically intervened and guided a child; this has not been recorded in line with regulation. The manager has taken steps to address this by further training for staff.

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

Accidents and injuries are attended to swiftly. Staff provide first aid and offer nurture and support to children. There has been a large reduction in the number of self-harm incidents in the home. Staff work proactively with external emotional health practitioners so that children can be supported to improve and understand their emotional health and well-being. Staff have access to the provider’s therapeutic team, which allows for a good understanding of children’s emotional health.

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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 has a good understanding of the children’s needs. The manager has provided strong and effective leadership despite challenges in the home during this inspection period. The provider and previous responsible individual have also given good support to the manager and staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable and resilient staff team. Most staff members are highly experienced and qualified in residential childcare. Staff have access to a wide range of training. The manager ensures that staff have the skills they need to care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff state that they feel supported by the manager. Staff are provided with regular supervision sessions, which allow them to reflect on their practice. Team meetings are held regularly and are used as a forum for discussion and embedding learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has cultivated positive working relationships with other professionals and children’s family members to achieve positive outcomes for children. There has been robust joint working with safeguarding partners by both the manager and provider. Inspection report for children’s home: 2762093 5

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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

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that records of restraint are clear, and all elements noted above are fully included in records. 12 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2762093 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are prepared and able to listen to children who want to talk about their past experiences. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 16, paragraph 3.11)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2762093 7

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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, Errigal House, Avroe Crescent, Blackpool FY4 2DP

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Inspector

Eve Ostridge, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2762093 8 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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