Children's Home run by Therapeutic Care Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for children’s home: 2826317 1 Registered provider: Hillside Lodge Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed 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

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in June 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates : 26 and 27 November 2025

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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 requires improvement to be 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: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2826317 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped and supported by a team of experienced and nurturing staff, who work hard to engage children. However, children’s experiences of living at the home are mixed. Transitions for both children included visits to the home before moving in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child isolated themself in their bedroom for long periods of time, as they did not feel that this was the right home for them. The child was clear that this was not about the home or staff but the distance from their friends and home area. While professionals considered relevant information before the child moved in, some wider factors were overlooked, leading to a short-term placement and another move for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of education. They work hard to engage children in suitable provisions. For one child this has been successful, resulting in good attendance. When issues arise in school, staff advocate effectively on behalf of the child to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to support their achievement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views and opinions are valued and influence decisions about menus, activities and décor. Children can raise concerns about any aspect of their care. While care plans are reviewed regularly, they lack detailed actions to help staff meet identified outcomes for each child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Key-work sessions are identified in care plans as a way of addressing issues. These sessions are well planned, linking to overall care plan objectives as well as responding to emerging concerns. Key-work sessions help children to understand their risks and address some of their personal concerns about the world around them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to maintain important family and other relationships. Family members spoken to were positive about staff’s approach and communication. One parent commented about the change in their child, stating they ‘Can’t believe the person they have become and that they stand tall and are proud of themself.’

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

Children say that they feel safe at the home and can identify staff they would go to if they needed help.

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

Risk assessments are reviewed and updated regularly, however, all known information is not included, limiting accuracy of risk evaluations. Strategies included in risk assessments lack sufficient detail to guide staff in minimising risks to children effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: 2826317 3 Staff are aware of the protocols to follow if children go missing from home. However, there have been no incidents of children going missing.

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

Behaviour is managed through incentives, rewards and occasional financial consequences for damaged items. These strategies are effective, resulting in very few incidents at the home or in the community. When incidents do occur, records are brief and some information that would provide a clearer account of staff actions is not included.

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good

This is the first inspection of the home following registration. The manager demonstrates an open and transparent approach and is supported by a staff team with varying levels of experience. Despite this, the team share a common set of values and a strong commitment to meeting the needs of the children.

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good

Supervision of staff is regular and records are detailed. Although staff have completed some training, one specific area of training has not yet been undertaken. This training would enhance staff’s ability to meet the individual needs of one child.

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good

Team meetings are held regularly and are well attended. However, the minutes indicate that these meetings are not consistently used as opportunities to promote consistent practice across the team. Additionally, there is limited evidence of clear direction and leadership from the manager during these sessions.

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good

The manager undertakes regular monitoring of the home. However, some aspects of record quality have been overlooked, which has contributed to the shortfalls identified during this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2826317 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that there are clear strategies in place to help staff to manage and reduce risks to children. 30 December

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1) (2)(a)(b)(iv)) 30 December

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children 28 November Inspection report for children’s home: 2826317 5 have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(b) (2)(a))

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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;

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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) (2)(f)(h)) 30 December2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which— are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that records are accurate. 30 December

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff receive training in managing and supporting children with ADHD to better meet their individual needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 51, paragraph 10.1) Inspection report for children’s home: 2826317 6

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2826317 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Therapeutic Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Errigal House, Avroe Crescent, Blackpool, FY4 2DP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Mrs Claire Holtby

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Inspector

Sue Atkinson-Millmoor, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2826317 8 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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