Children's home run by Helm Care Services Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 1 Registered provider: Helm Care Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is managed by a private company. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in the home at the time of this inspection. All were seen and provided with an opportunity to speak with the inspector.

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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: 2750251 2

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Findings from the inspection

This inspection was brought forward in order to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

Ofsted 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 staff talk positively about the children and enjoy spending time with them. Two of the children have lived in the home for a longer period of time and have formed strong relationships with staff. This has helped them make progress and feel safe. One child recently moved into the home and is starting to develop relationships with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff encourage the children to share their views and are confident that children know how to make a complaint. The staff support children to go on activities in line with their individual wishes and interests. Some children enjoy going swimming, attending cheerleading events, and going out shopping with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff assist children to have their health needs met and help them to access ongoing and emergency health services and appointments. Staff work closely with the clinical lead who supports children and staff to better understand children’s emotional and mental health needs. Staff work with social workers and help progress children’s independence time. This means that the children develop essential life skills, learn how to travel independently to college and sustain important relationships.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk assessments are detailed and offer effective behaviour management and preventative strategies for the staff to follow. Staff use sensitive de-escalation techniques to help to keep children calm. This has led to a reduction of significant incidents. On occasions, staff have needed to physically hold children. These actions are proportionate and necessary to keep children and others safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are proactive and highly responsive when children go missing or do not return home on time. Staff are aware of the procedures for notifying and reporting incidents of children going missing from the home. The staff manage the children’s independence safely and have actions in place if they are unable to keep in contact with the children. These actions help to keep the children safer.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager currently has oversight of an additional home and utilises the support of the newly appointed deputy manager. The staff feel supported by the leaders and managers and talk positively regarding team morale.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have systems in place to review and monitor children’s progress and the development of the home. However, the registered manager has not ensured timely management oversight of some incidents. These gaps in monitoring systems prevents managers from confidently verifying that children’s Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 3 well-being checks are being carried out by staff. On one occasion, records suggest that staff have not consistently had oversight of a child. No harm came to the child, but staff were not available to support this child in line with their plan.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the provider’s procedures for escalating concerns regarding staff practice, and the registered manager shares concerns with the local authority designated officer. However, gaps in records means it is unclear how concerns have been investigated, or that timely actions are in place to mitigate any potential risk. The registered manager provided assurance that suitable actions are taken to maintain children’s welfare during any investigations.

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Findings from the inspection

Additionally, on one occasion the registered manager delayed sharing information regarding a significant event with Ofsted. These gaps in records, and delay in ensuring effective management oversight, could adversely affect appropriate action being taken to safeguard children and support their welfare.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have not been fully met. Two requirements and one recommendation have been restated. One requirement and one recommendation have been added. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/06/2024 Full Good 27/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 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 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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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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; and

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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)(a)(e)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure clear records of investigation regarding staff practice and actions proposed. In addition, the registered person should ensure that there is effective and timely management oversight of incidents and that the actions that staff are required to carry out are in line with the children’s plans. 10 February 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 10 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 6 This requirement is restated from the last inspection.

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is

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Requirement Due date

authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff debriefs are consistently completed, and this is undertaken by an appropriate person.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated from the last inspection. 10 February 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s statement of purpose is kept under review and that all updated information regarding the children’s care is shared in a timely manner with the relevant parties. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5)  The registered person should ensure that they notify Ofsted of safeguarding incidents or welfare incidents relating to the children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 63, paragraph 14.10) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Helm Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 103, Group First House, 12A Meadway, Padiham BB12 7NG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Rachel Greenwood

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Inspector

Gina Lightfoot, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2750251 8 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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