Children's Home run by Barracare Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2647022 1 Registered provider: Barracare Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns this home. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with complex emotional and social needs.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. Two children spoke to the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2024.

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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, 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: 2647022 2

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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

The home is well presented and is furnished to a high standard. It is child friendly, with ample space for children to relax in as well as having quiet space for them to study in. All three children’s bedrooms were clean and tidy and personalised to their individual tastes, including wall art and posters.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have positive relationships with staff. Staff know the children well and understand their individual needs. Staff actively seek and act on children’s views. Two children were observed interacting positively with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is a strong advocate for promoting positive outcomes for children and escalates concerns on their behalf. When children do not feel confident to share their views on matters affecting their lives, the manager represents their views on their behalf.

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Findings from the inspection

No children have moved out of the home since the last inspection. Therefore, the manager has not been able to evaluate children’s experiences when they move out of the home and share learning with the team to drive improvements.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has recently moved into the home. While this was not a planned admission, the manager and staff team maintained contact with the child on the day of their arrival, checking in with them regularly. The children already living at the home helped the child to unpack their belongings and helped them settle into their new environment. This provided the child with some reassurance. The child’s social worker said, ‘The manager’s matching process was rigorous. It was important we got this right.’.

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Findings from the inspection

Not all children currently have a school place. Staff provide tutoring in the home for one child, which was observed by the inspector. Plans for this child to attend a local school are underway and the manager has played a central role in planning meetings. During this inspection, one child returned from school and spoke to the inspector about having had a positive day. Another child is progressing well at school and has plans to go to college and university.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are encouraged to lead healthy, active lifestyles. They are registered with the local gym and go swimming and attend boxing sessions. Discussions take place with children about healthy meal options and various forms of exercise. However, there is no information in the children’s guide informing children about the expectations of the home in relation to the use of e-cigarettes or where to get further advice and support. However, the manager has identified a health professional to provide training to the staff team in relation to the impact of e- cigarettes on children’s health. A requirement has been raised to this effect. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2647022 3 Staff understand the risks to children and how to keep them safe. The manager reviews and updates risk assessments to ensure that they are current and relevant to the children’s presenting needs and behaviours.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spoken to during the inspection demonstrated an understanding of whistle- blowing and closed cultures. They were able to confidently outline the actions they would take if a safeguarding concern occurred.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff encourage children to demonstrate positive behaviour. They form positive relationships with the children by arranging group activities that promote shared experiences, such as trips to the seaside.

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Findings from the inspection

Although the manager evaluates incidents and provides debriefs to children and staff, these evaluations lack critical reflection. While improvements have been made since the last inspection, this shortfall has resulted in a recommendation being raised.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has focused on staff learning and development. She has provided additional sessions for staff to enhance their safeguarding knowledge and regularly tests understanding during supervision and team meetings. Staff supervisions are consistently recorded and include discussions about staff well-being and practice-related matters.

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Findings from the inspection

Safer recruitment checks are undertaken for new staff. Individual risk assessments are in place for all staff, which are reviewed regularly. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2647022 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be true 11/03/2025 Full Inadequate 19/10/2023 Full Good 10/01/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2647022 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

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children are provided with information in the children’s guide which covers expectations around the use of e-cigarettes as well as support services in the local area that children can access. 19 December 2025

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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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)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must make sure that a useful evaluation is completed in relation to children’s experiences when they move out of the home. 19 December 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2647022 6 The registered person must ensure that there are processes in place to share this learning with the team in order to drive improvements to care.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through observation and engagement with each child and staff members. In particular, the registered person should be critically evaluative in their monitoring process to continually drive improvement and positive outcomes for children. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.23) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2647022 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 The Limes, Barkerhouse Road, Nelson BB9 9NL

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Inspector

Michelle Greenhalgh, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2647022 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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