Children's Home run by Take Time 2 Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 1 Registered provider: Take Time 2 Care Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A private company operates the home. The home provides care for up to two children who may be experiencing emotional and/or social difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in April 2025, as was the manager. This is the first inspection since registration.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

p.1

inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

inadequate

There are widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded.

p.1

inadequate

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home and was spoken to by inspectors.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child is not provided with a consistently safe environment. While the home has been decorated with colourful murals and personalised touches in the child’s bedroom, significant health and safety concerns remain. Of particular concern are holes in the child’s bedroom walls, which the child uses to conceal implements for self-injurious behaviour. In addition, the poor condition of the garden shed presents further opportunities for harm. Leaders and managers acknowledge the frequent damage to the home and endeavour to address this in a timely way.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff do not work effectively with external agencies. They do not have crucial information about the next stage of the child’s care plan. Staff have failed to robustly challenge the local authority regarding poor planning and have not secured copies of key documents needed to inform the child’s care. As a result, the child is not receiving adequate support for significant life changes, and their care planning lacks clarity and direction.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff attend to the child’s basic health requirements, such as dental care and personal hygiene. However, the child has outstanding complex health needs that have not been fully addressed.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff have supported the child’s return to school following a prolonged absence. However, information in respect of the child’s education is significantly outdated. The registered manager does not significantly challenge relevant professionals. This could impact on the child receiving the necessary support to help them progress in education.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff regularly talk to the child about a range of subjects. They plan relevant sessions linked to the child’s experiences. The manager has oversight of the sessions and the child’s views, wishes and feelings are recorded.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff do not consistently provide care which meets the therapeutic standard set out in the company’s statement of purpose. While some members of staff use a therapeutic approach effectively to support the child, others do not. Some staff rely on punitive consequences rather than using restorative or trauma-informed strategies. The inconsistency of therapeutic care provided has not been addressed by the leadership team. The organisation’s therapist describes how the staff talk to the child about a health lifestyle. The child’s hygiene has improved.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child’s mother is positive about the care staff provide for the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 3

p.2

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

Staff do not take effective action to reduce the child’s risks. Safeguarding practice in the home is reactive rather than proactive. Measures that could reduce the risk of harm have not been prioritised by managers. Safety plans have only been implemented after incidents, rather than being used to prevent them. The child’s risks remain high.

p.3

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

Staff spoken to demonstrate an understanding of the child’s vulnerabilities. However, records in relation to safeguarding incidents do not demonstrate that staff manage incidents in line with the child’s plans. Staff have left the child unsupervised, knowing that they have items they could use to hurt themselves. Staff have also left the child alone when they have expressed the intention to hurt themselves. The child has subsequently harmed themselves. The child says they want help to manage this behaviour, which staff are not providing. Leaders and managers have not demonstrated learning from repeated incidents of self-harm.

p.3

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

The child experiences an inconsistent approach to their safety. Although plans and risk assessments are updated when changes to the child’s risks occur, emerging concerns are not consistently communicated to all staff. This lack of effective communication results in inconsistent practice and undermines the child’s safety and well-being. Leaders and managers have not ensured that all staff are fully informed and able to respond appropriately to the child’s changing needs.

p.3

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

Staff do not consistently follow safety protocols designed to protect the child. For example, the child’s risk assessment states that their bedroom should be searched four times a week to remove items that could be used for self-harm. These searches have not been carried out in line with the plan. As a result, the child has self-harmed. There have been missed opportunities to prevent harm.

p.3

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

Staff do not use effective strategies to support the child during times of crisis. For instance, staff have told the child they will report them to the police to manage behaviour, rather than using the techniques outlined in the child’s support plans. This approach does not help the child to regulate their emotions or feel safe.

p.3

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

Incident records are poor and do not support effective safeguarding practice. Staff do not record incidents with sufficient detail or clarity to provide an accurate understanding of what has occurred. As a result, records are confusing and do not allow for effective oversight or planning. Although leaders and managers have identified this shortfall and have planned additional training, this has not led to improvements in the quality of recording.

p.3

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

Safer recruitment practices are not robust. Overseas checks have not been completed for an employee who previously lived abroad. The registered manager stated they were unaware that this is a regulatory requirement. In addition, the registered manager has not recorded any consideration of gaps in this employee’s employment history. As a result, there is a risk that the child may be cared for by adults who have not been appropriately vetted and may not be safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 4 Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 5

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

A permanent manager has led the home since it was registered. The manager has now handed in their notice and will be leaving in October. A new manager has been appointed and a handover plan is in place.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers do not effectively identify or challenge poor practice. Although monitoring and review systems are in place, they are ineffective in driving improvements. Shortfalls in staff performance, such as the unsafe management of self- harm incidents, have not been identified through management oversight. As a result, leaders and managers have failed to use these systems to raise standards or ensure that staff consistently safeguard the child.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

External monitoring of the home is ineffective. Although an independent person visits the home, the regularity of these visits is unclear, as reports are not submitted to Ofsted within the required timescales. Leaders and managers do not use external oversight effectively to drive improvements or ensure accountability.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Team meetings take place regularly and are supported by the home’s therapist. These meetings provide a useful forum for staff to share ideas and develop their understanding of the child’s behaviours from a psychological perspective. However, meetings are not consistently attended by all staff. It is not clear how information is shared with staff who do not attend. This could mean that there are gaps in staff knowledge.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff receive regular supervision, and staff appraisals are scheduled. However, the quality of the records of supervision meetings varies, with some records brief and lacking in detail. This limits the effectiveness of management oversight of staff practice.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff training records are currently being transferred from paper files to an online database. As a result, there is no clear overview of which staff have completed essential training. Staff are booked to attend important training in the coming weeks.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager does not notify all serious incidents to Ofsted. For example, when there have been significant events involving the police. This limits the regulator’s oversight Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 6

p.5

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; and

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(d))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff understand and follow children’s risk assessments and safety plans.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that all safeguarding incidents are recorded in sufficient detail and are effectively 12 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 7 evaluated. Any identified shortfalls in practice must be addressed appropriately.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that staff have all the information they need to understand children’s vulnerabilities and risks.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that hazards around the home are addressed immediately.

p.7

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.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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; and

p.7

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)(h))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all records are up to date and identify known risks and the actions to be taken.

p.7

Requirement Due date

Also, that records have sufficient detail to enable staff to understand their responsibilities in their roles in the care of the child. 12 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 8 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.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose; ensure that staff—

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose; protect and promote each child’s welfare;

p.8

Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

p.8

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.8

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. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(ix))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must make sure that staff have all the information they need about how to support and care for children. This includes ensuring that all local authority paperwork is up to date.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must also make sure that staff understand how to support and manage the child’s behaviour in line with the therapeutic care standard set out in the statement of purpose. 30 November 2025

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 9 A notification made under this regulation—

p.8

Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

p.9

Requirement Due date

must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(b) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the regulator is informed of significant events within the appropriate time frame.

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s 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. ( Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that where a member of staff has worked overseas, all appropriate checks are completed before employing them in the home. 30 November 2025

p.9

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff— 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 10 seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

p.9

Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs;

p.10

Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans; and

p.10

Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (a)(b)(c)(d))

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that they advocate on behalf of the child and their needs in care planning processes.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that the child’s identified needs are being met and that any required specialist services are in place.

p.10

Requirement Due date

Also, the registered person must effectively challenge other professionals when they are not meeting the child’s needs.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent persons report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent persons opinion as to whether—

p.10

Requirement Due date

If the independent person becomes aware of a conflict of interest (whether under regulation 43(3) or otherwise) after a visit to the home, the independent person must include in the independent persons report—

p.10

Requirement Due date

details of the conflict of interest; and 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 11 the reasons why the independent person did not notify the registered provider of the conflict of interest before the visit.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent persons report to—

p.11

Requirement Due date

the registered provider and, if applicable the registered manager; and

p.11

Requirement Due date

the responsible individual (if one is nominated). (Regulation 44 (1) (4)(a)(b) (6)(a)(b) (7)(a)(d)(e))

p.11

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the independent person regularly visits the home and ensure the report is provided to the relevant organisations within timescales.

p.11

Requirement Due date

Also, the registered person must ensure that the independent visitor is not in a position where a conflict of interest may arise in their relationships with the staff and registered manager of the home.

p.11

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: 2808528 12

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Take Time 2 Care Limited

p.12

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: c/o Ams Corporate, Floor 2, 9 Portland Street, Manchester M1 3BE

p.12

Inspectors

Debbie Dawson, Social Care Inspector Nicola Shaw, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2808528 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.12

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.13

Inspectors

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

p.13

Inspectors

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

p.13