Children's Home run by Theracare Homes Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2839658 1 Registered provider: THERACARE HOMES LIMITED Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for one child who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since July 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

This is the home’s first full inspection since registration in July 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection, one child was living in the home. The child spoke to the inspector about their experiences of living at the home.

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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: 2839658 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child moved into the home approximately four months ago. The manager met with the child before moving in, and staff helped them settle in once they arrived. The child said, ‘It’s really good here. I like all the staff, everything they do is spot on.’ Staff provide the child with a good level of nurturing care, and the child is starting to make progress in all areas of their life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are focused on meeting the child’s needs and building trusted relationships with them. The child enjoys spending time with staff, both inside and outside of the home. The child’s interests are nurtured, and they are encouraged to try new things. The child’s choices are acted on, for example trips to the library, cinema, ice skating and horse riding.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively support the child with their education. The manager worked effectively with other agencies to secure appropriate education provision to meet the child’s needs. The child, who had not attended formal education for some time before living in the home, now attends school regularly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the child’s healthcare needs and support them to attend routine and specialist health appointments. The child is encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including learning about the health risks associated with vaping and drug and alcohol misuse. Staff promote healthy eating, and the child enjoys being involved in shopping, cooking and choosing meals for the menus each week.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff have developed positive relationships with family members for the benefit of the child. One family member said, ‘Staff are fantastic. Their main priority is [name of child] and they understand them so well. I’m so grateful to them.’ Staff ensure that the child regularly spends time with family members, who live some distance away. This has helped the child to feel more settled, secure and happy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child lives in a warm and welcoming home. The child’s bedroom is well furnished and personalised to their tastes. Other areas of the home are spacious and comfortable.

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

The child is kept safe and says that they feel safe. Their risk and behaviour management plans are individualised and provide staff with clear information about what to do if risks arise. These documents are regularly updated and are purposeful.

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

Clear routines, boundaries and expectations are in place, which the child responds to well. Regular discussions take place with the child about topics relevant to them. This helps the child to understand and manage their feelings and behaviours. Positive behaviour is consistently promoted and celebrated in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2839658 3 Staff and the child benefit from the company’s appointment of an external therapist, who visits the home regularly. The therapist provides help and advice to staff, which is tailored around the specific needs of the child. This helps to develop safeguarding practice in the home.

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

Staff are trained in a therapeutic model that the manager encourages them to use in their day-to-day practice. This helps to ensure that the child is provided with consistent, loving, nurturing and warm care.

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

The child’s risks have significantly reduced since living in the home. There have been no incidents of drug or alcohol misuse, and the frequency of incidents of the child going missing has dramatically decreased. When the child does go missing, staff take swift and appropriate action to ensure they return home quickly and safely.

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

Safer recruitment practices are in place to ensure that only adults who are safe to work with children are employed in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is caring, child-centred and committed to his role. He promotes a nurturing culture in the home and is highly regarded by the staff team. The manager is focused on achieving the best outcomes for the child and prioritises their welfare and safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy working in the home. They feel valued and supported by the manager. One staff member described him as an ‘excellent manager’ who is approachable and professional.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff team meetings are regular and effective. They provide opportunities to focus on the child’s well-being and progress. The therapist also attends team meetings to provide tailored support and advice to staff. This, along with regular access to specialist training, helps to equip staff to meet the needs of the child in their care. One staff member described the induction training provided by the company as ‘amazing’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff members receive regular supervision where they reflect on their practice and identify any training needs. However, the registered manager has not received regular supervision sessions, and the responsible individual has not visited the home since it was registered in July 2025. Although this limits senior leadership oversight of the home, it has not impacted the well-being or progress of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team has stabilised recently, and the use of agency workers has decreased. Two deputies are now in place to help support the manager. This means the child receives more consistent care from adults they see regularly. Inspection report for children’s home: 2839658 4 The manager works proactively and effectively with other agencies and professionals. He is a strong advocate for the child. A social worker said, ‘The manager and staff are amazing with [name of child]. They are always supportive and professional.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight of the home. He has clear systems in place to help monitor the quality of care provided to the child. The manager knows the home’s strengths and areas for development and takes responsive action to rectify any areas of vulnerability. His comprehensive oversight of the home ensures that ongoing improvements are made. Inspection report for children’s home: 2839658 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

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (7)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the responsible individual must ensure that they provide regular supervision to the registered manager and visit the home regularly to review the management of the home. 30 January

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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: 2839658 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: THERACARE HOMES LIMITED

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 10 Ambassador Place, Stockport Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 8DB

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Inspector

Zillah Brooks, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2839658 7 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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Inspector

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