Children's Home run by Therapeutic Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2846161 1 Registered provider: Therapeutic Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation. The home is registered to care for two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This is the first inspection since the home registered in May 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 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: 2846161 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home registered, four children have moved in and two have moved on. The manager gives careful consideration to each child’s individual needs and compatibility when making decisions about children living together. Staff skills and experience are also evaluated to ensure that children receive support that is well matched to their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child moved to the home, which was not in line with their wishes and is at a distance from where their family resides, and the placement ended after approximately 3 weeks. This limited the child’s opportunity to develop a sense of stability. However, when a closer home was found that better reflected the child’s wishes, the staff worked with the child to support a positive ending.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are understood, and staff ensure that they are registered with universal health services and attend relevant appointments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of education for children. Children who are not in formal education are supported to access a broad range of learning opportunities that reflect their interests, abilities and developmental needs. The manager is working closely with the placing authority and education professionals for one child to secure an appropriate school placement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively support and encourage family time, helping children maintain meaningful connections with the important people in their lives. For one child, staff facilitate regular visits to family members who live some distance from the home. This consistent support helps to promote and sustain the child’s sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to share their views. Weekly meetings between children and staff provide opportunities to discuss plans and activities for the week ahead. Children are involved in meal planning, learn how to budget for food, and they are supported to complete household tasks. As a result, they feel listened to and are actively engaged in decisions that shape their daily lives.

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

Children are kept safe by the staff in the home, who understand their strengths and vulnerabilities. Staff build trusting relationships with children and have regular discussions with them about important issues, such as staying safe online, managing relationships and understanding their emotions. This helps children to make safer choices and improve their emotional wellbeing.

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

Missing-from-home episodes are well managed and responded to promptly by staff. Staff search for children and collect them when they are ready to return home. Clear records Inspection report for children’s home: 2846161 3 are maintained documenting the actions taken and include effective management oversight.

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

Risk management plans are detailed and guide staff practice. They are regularly reviewed and updated by the manager to identify any emerging or new risks. This reflects a responsive and child-centred approach to the provision of care, enabling staff to support the children’s individual needs effectively.

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

Staff provide children with clear routines and boundaries, helping them feel safe and supported. Positive behaviour is encouraged through rewards and incentives, promoting children’s achievements. When consequences are used, which is rare, they are proportionate.

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

Staff administer children’s medication safely and in line with procedures. When children refuse medication, staff respect their wishes. However, advice has not been sought from a relevant health professional when a child has refused medication over a prolonged period.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in post since the home opened and is completing the relevant leadership and management qualification. His practice is child centred, and he has a good understanding of the children’s needs. Staff state they feel well supported by the manager and can seek help and advice when needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to a wide range of training opportunities. The manager is committed to developing staff knowledge through tailored learning that reflects the specific needs of the children. This approach ensures that staff are equipped with the skills and understanding required to respond effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staffing is consistent and the number of staff on shift meets the children’s assessed needs. However, the rota is not amended to reflect staffing changes, meaning it does not always provide a true reflection of staffing on each shift.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision that is reflective and focused on the needs of the child. New staff are well supported through a structured induction plan. The manager ensures that their progress is routinely reviewed, that mandatory training is completed and that staff have opportunities to reflect on and consolidate their learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place monthly and provide staff with opportunities to share information and discuss the children’s needs. This helps to ensure that children receive consistent and well-coordinated care. Team meetings also allow staff to reflect on their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has established effective systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of care provided. However, the required quality of care review report has not been submitted to the regulator within the expected time frame. Inspection report for children’s home: 2846161 4

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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

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date; and

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Requirement Due date

retain the records for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that copies of the staff rota of persons working at the home is accurate. 12 February 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 45 (1) (4)(a)) 12 February 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when a child has refused medication for a prolonged period, they should approach an expert such as a General Medical Practitioner, community pharmacist or designated nurse for looked-after children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15) Inspection report for children’s home: 2846161 5  The registered person should ensure that the child’s wishes and feelings about their preferred location are considered as part of any transition planning to the home, ensuring that care planning is child centred and that the child is fully involved in decisions affecting them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 57, paragraph 11.11)

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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: 2846161 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Therapeutic Care Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Shauna Morley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2846161 7 regulates 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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Inspector

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