Children's home run by Helm Care Services Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 1 Registered provider: Helm Care Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is managed by a private company. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. Two children were living in the home at the time of this inspection, and both were spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2025. He holds the required qualification.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

This inspection was brought forward in order to address specific concerns or allegations received by Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 2 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy trusted, positive relationships with staff, resulting from a consistent and informed approach to care. Clear care plans help staff to understand children’s vulnerabilities and manage risks effectively. High-quality recording and evaluation, alongside integrated input from the clinical team, deepen staff’s understanding of children’s behaviours and promote individualised support.

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Findings from the inspection

Children make good progress in regulating their emotional and mental health. Staff provide opportunities for children to experience increased freedoms in a closely managed way. This helps to equip the children with appropriate skills for adulthood. Any decisions to amend or progress children’s plans are taken collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team. This shares responsibility and considers multiple perspectives to ensure that this process happens consensually and at the child’s pace.

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Findings from the inspection

Plans clearly reflect children’s wishes. The manager recognises that while this is vital, professionals retain the authority in determining whether these wishes can be safely met. This demonstrates a clear understanding of the potential issues that may arise when children are given full autonomy over decision-making.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk assessments are well written and contain information that is helpful to staff in promoting children’s safety. The assessments are regularly reviewed, which shows that staff understand the dynamic nature of risk. Staff speak confidently about only implementing plans in a safe way.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are well prepared and supported to respond swiftly and appropriately when children go missing from the home or are at risk of harm. Incidents of children going missing from home are rare. When they do occur, staff take effective action to ensure the children’s safe return. No child has come to harm during any missing episode, reflecting strong safeguarding practice and a proactive, well-coordinated response.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been occasions when children have had to be physically held by staff to keep the child and others safe from harm. Incident records are suitably detailed and shared with managers for review. There have been occasions where debriefs have not taken place or have been completed by peers, which makes them timely but does not meet regulations.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has effective systems for monitoring and auditing the quality of care. These systems, alongside more innovative practice, help the whole team to improve children’s experiences. Trackers, evaluations and chronologies help to identify barriers to progress, and this supports the manager to take action accordingly. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 4 The manager’s objective is to improve the quality of care. An abundance of resources has been sourced by him and the clinicians to help staff develop their skills and knowledge. Staff are also suitably trained, and their basic training is supplemented by bespoke training related to the children’s needs. This helps to maximise staff’s understanding. Staff can demonstrate their learning and describe how they implement it.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements and recommendations made at the last full inspection have been partially met. One requirement and one recommendation have been restated. One new requirement has been added.

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Findings from the inspection

Overall, there has been positive progress since the last full inspection. There has been a recent reduction in incidents, which is promising. Improved education engagement for children also bodes well for their future. Staff say team morale is good, and the new manager is held in high regard. Children are happy and settled and are making progress, and although this is not linear, any setbacks are quickly identified and addressed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/06/2024 Full Good 27/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 6

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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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Requirements Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirements Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, this should happen at a frequency that aligns with the provider’s own policy.

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Requirements Due date

This requirement is restated from the last inspection. 31 October 2025

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Requirements Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is

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Requirements Due date

authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirements Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirements Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff debriefs are consistently completed and that this is undertaken by an appropriate person. 31 October 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the statement of purpose is kept under review and that all updated information regarding children’s care is shared with relevant parties in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Helm Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered providers address: Suite 103, Business First, Group First House, 12a Meadway, Padiham, Burnley BB12 7NG

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Inspector

Rachel Ruth, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 8 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 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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