Children's Home run by Fortitude Residential Childcare Ltd in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2812917 1 Registered provider: Fortitude Residential Childcare Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This was the home’s first inspection since it was registered in May 2025. There is a qualified and experienced registered manager in post.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2812917 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home opened, two children have moved in, and one child has recently moved out. The manager completes a robust assessment of children’s needs before they move into the home. The care children receive is individualised and tailored to their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is maintained to an excellent standard and provides children with a warm, comfortable space in which to feel safe and nurtured. Children can make decisions about their day-to-day care, which creates a sense of belonging and a family environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child currently living at the home has made good and sustained progress in the important areas of their life. Staff have developed positive and trusting relationships with the child. The child benefits from clear routines and boundaries, and staff are consistent in their approach. The child said they are happy living at the home and there is nothing they would change.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to travel to the education provision where they were enrolled before moving into the home. This has provided consistency and continuity for the child’s education. The manager has arranged additional tutoring in the home to help ensure that the child is able to reach their academic potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure children’s health needs are met and there are up-to-date assessments and care plans in place. Staff carry out direct sessions to support children’s understanding of important issues such as managing emotions, making healthy choices and online safety. Children are supported to engage in a range of activities, including swimming, visiting the Lake District and going to trampoline parks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of family time and are proactive in planning for children to spend time with the people who are important to them. Staff have supported one child to build stronger and healthier relationships with their family.

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

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities, and they ensure that children in their care are safe. The risk management plans provide staff with clear strategies to follow and are regularly updated.

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

There have been a small number of incidents. These have been well managed and staff have effectively de-escalated each situation. Staff follow detailed behaviour plans which provide effective, individualised strategies to manage children’s behaviour. When an incident has occurred, staff complete clear records that detail the action taken to support the child. The manager has effective oversight of incidents and provides a detailed review. Inspection report for children’s home: 2812917 3 There has been one incident of a child going missing from the home. Staff followed the child’s plans and searched extensively when the child was missing. The manager and staff worked effectively with the relevant professionals. However, the incident did lead to an unplanned ending to the child’s time living in the home.

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

Staff work well with children to promote positive behaviours. There have been no incidents of staff needing to hold children. A small number of consequences have been used to support children’s behaviour. The manager has oversight and completes an evaluation.

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

All staff are suitably trained in the administration of medication. Staff store, administer and record medication safely and effectively. However, there was a missed opportunity for the manager to review medication processes when an error was identified in a medication count. Although there was no direct impact on the child, a review would have allowed the manager to consider any areas for improvement. A recommendation has been made to address this.

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

Recruitment procedures and practices are safe and effective. All staff are checked and vetted before working in the home to ensure that only suitable adults are employed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is child centred and wants the best for the children in her care. She is supported by an experienced responsible individual and a deputy manager. The manager welcomes feedback and wants to provide the best service to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a positive relationship with the child living in the home. The manager uses her time effectively to ensure that she is a visible presence in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff use training to develop their skills and knowledge to understand and meet the children’s needs. For example, staff have attended training to better understand the risks associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and self- harm and have also completed training in trauma-informed approaches. Some staff are qualified, and other staff are working towards the relevant qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are positive about the support they receive from the manager, and they enjoy working at the home. One staff member said, ‘As a staff member I couldn’t ask for more from my manager, who has gone out of her way to help me.’ Another staff member commented, ‘We are a good staff team and all work together.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are supported to grow and develop the care they provide through regular reflective supervision. The manager uses team meetings to discuss children’s progress and to improve staff practice. This helps to improve the quality of care children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager provides effective leadership and demonstrates a strong commitment to driving forward improvements at the home. She has a good understanding of what is working well and continually considers any areas for development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2812917 4 The manager has effective monitoring and review systems in place to ensure that she has full oversight of all aspects of the home. She benefits from quality assurance visits carried out by the responsible individual. The independent visitor carries out monthly visits to the home and produces detailed reports. Inspection report for children’s home: 2812917 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they identify and address any areas of concern in relation to the administration and recording of medication in the home, to ensure that there are robust protocols and procedures in place. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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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: 2812917 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Fortitude Residential Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Plymouth House, 22 Plymouth Road, Blackpool, Lancashire FY3 7JS

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Inspector

Suzanne Birchall, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2812917 7 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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