Darwen House

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Darwen House 1 Darwen House

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Registered provider: Inspiracare Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This supported accommodation service is operated by a private provider. The provider can accommodate up to 13 children across two properties that are limited to accommodating looked-after children or care leavers. The provider operates in north-west England.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, the service provided supported accommodation for two children.

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provider

The provider registered in February 2024. The same individual performs the duties of both the registered service manager and the nominated individual. They have been in post since registration.

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This monitoring visit

On 22 October 2025, Ofsted issued two compliance notices, following a monitoring visit on 16 October 2025. The compliance notices were served because Ofsted found shortfalls in the leadership and management of the service and the protection of children.

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This monitoring visit

On 27 November 2025, a monitoring visit was carried out to determine the provider’s compliance with the notices. The inspector visited the provider’s office and spoke to the registered service manager and two senior members of staff. In addition, the inspector spoke to one child.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has not admitted any children into the service since the last monitoring visit. Leaders and managers have undertaken a comprehensive review of their admissions processes and amended them. They now have a clear understanding of the supported accommodation regulatory framework. This provides assurance that Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Darwen House 2 they will fully consider children’s vulnerabilities and support needs at the point of admission and will not accept children outside of the scope of their registration.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have reviewed the levels of support that children receive. They have ensured that current staffing levels are appropriate for supported accommodation. This provides assurance that they are operating in line with their statement of purpose.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have reviewed the processes for training and staff development. They have ensured that all staff have completed the organisation’s mandatory induction training and that there is a clear record of this.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have not recruited any members of staff since the previous monitoring visit. However, they have reviewed their recruitment processes. This provides assurance that they will give sufficient scrutiny to information provided by applicants in future recruitment processes.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have addressed fire safety and maintenance concerns that were identified in the previous monitoring visit. They have ensured that all fire exits are easy to open. Maintenance and repairs are complete. Leaders and managers ensure that children live in a homely environment.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers do not ensure that children’s plans include all relevant information. For example, one child’s risk assessment lacks detail about the risks the child faces and the ways in which they will be supported to stay safe.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers do not always notify Ofsted following serious incidents. There have been several incidents, including incidents of police involvement and children being missing from home, that the provider has not considered serious enough to warrant a notification. This limits Ofsted’s ability to ensure that the provider has taken the necessary actions to keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

Children say that they feel safe and secure in their homes. Staff work with children to try to help them develop their independent living skills. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Darwen House 3

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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 Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and the ‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

* The protection standard is that children are enabled to feel safe and that their needs are met.

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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

work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies, and share information where relevant to keep children safe;

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Requirement Due date

understand the relevant roles and responsibilities assigned to them by the registered person in relation to protecting children. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(f)(iv)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that there is a risk management plan for each child outlining the most appropriate strategy to manage each risk.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 18 January 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify the CIECSS and any relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation; 18 January 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Darwen House 4 an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child and the registered person considers that incident to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the supported accommodation undertaking or a person working for it;

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry);

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Requirement Due date

there is an incident involving the use of a measure of restraint of a child;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 27 (3)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

*This requirement is subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to follow up information received by Ofsted and/or to ensure that the supported accommodation provider was complying with regulation.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Darwen House 5

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Inspiracare Limited

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 112B-113 Empire Business Centre, 2 Empire way, Burnley BB12 6HA

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Shikar Aktar

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Inspector

Steve James, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Darwen House 6 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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