Children's Home run by Guidance Care Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808740 1 Registered provider: Guidance Care Limited

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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 a private company which provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were two children living at the home, both children spoke to the inspector during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2025. This manager also manages another setting.

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Inspection date: 27 November 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 27 November 2025

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: 2808740 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

Children are supported to build positive relationships with staff. The staff spoken to during the inspection spoke positively and with pride about the children they care for. Children said that they enjoy living at the home and that they feel listened to.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff complete regular individual support sessions with children. These sessions are meaningful and child focused and are used to gather children’s views and wishes to help prepare for upcoming events and to help children explore their emotions.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support and encourage children to engage in education. When there have been difficulties in identifying suitable schools and with children’s attendance or behaviours in school, the manager and staff work closely with placing authorities, virtual schools and education providers to share information and to support children’s educational needs.

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Findings from the inspection

When children are new to the home, the manager has factored in all information available to make an informed decision about whether the home can meet the child’s needs. However, there is limited consideration of the impact that children who live together may have on each other.

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Findings from the inspection

When children raise concerns about staff, they are listened to and taken seriously. Children are kept updated about the action taken and, when necessary, mediation sessions are offered to support children and staff to repair their relationships. However, when staff have identified issues with staff practice, they have not always reported these in a timely manner, which limits leaders’ and managers’ ability to take action in response to poor practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s support plans and risk assessments are detailed documents that are frequently updated with any changes and new information. These documents include clear guidance and strategies that help staff to provide consistent care in line with the children’s identified risks and behaviours.

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Findings from the inspection

When it has been necessary to hold a child to keep them safe, interventions have been reasonable and proportionate. Staff are trained to carry them out safely. Children and staff are supported to reflect on the incident afterwards. The manager maintains oversight of all incidents to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the measure used and to identify any triggers, any updates needed to support plans and to support staff development.

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Findings from the inspection

When consequences have been imposed in response to children’s behaviours, the manager has not always evaluated the effectiveness of the consequence used. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808740 3 Since the last inspection, there has been some instability in the staff team due to changes in the leadership and management of the home. There is now an experienced manager who has had a positive impact on the home since she took over the role. She has provided stability and consistency to the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have completed relevant training since the last inspection to ensure that they have the skills to meet children’s specific needs and to support children in line with the model of care detailed in the home’s statement of purpose.

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Findings from the inspection

Supervision sessions have not always taken place regularly. However, this situation has improved since the new manager has been in post. Staff now have regular supervision sessions, which are child focused and practice related as well as a supportive tool for staff. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808740 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808740 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint, including imposed consequences, are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and to review the effectiveness of measures used. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, Page 46, paragraph 9.36)  The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, Page 56, paragraph 11.4)  The registered person should ensure that staff are made familiar with the home’s internal whistle-blowing procedures, and this should be documented to ensure that staff understand the process and are confident to put it into practice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, Page 53,

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Recommendations

paragraph 10.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808740 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Guidance Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 8, Wyrefields, Poulton Industrial Estate, Poulton-le-Fylde FY6 8JX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Lorraine Anderson

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Inspector

Katie Tomlinson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808740 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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