Children's home run by Northridge Care Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 1 Registered provider: Northridge Care Group Limited 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 provider. It is registered to care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. One child was spoken to by inspectors.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/08/2024 Full Good 09/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/08/2022 Full Good 23/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy meaningful relationships with staff and can identify an adult they trust. One child confirmed that they are happy living in the home. Staff speak about children with genuine care and affection and know them well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. Staff take them to routine and specialist health appointments and make prompt referrals to external agencies when additional support is required. Staff cook healthy, well-balanced meals, encourage physical activity and promote healthy lifestyles.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When barriers to school attendance arise, the manager works effectively with external professionals to find solutions individual to each child’s needs. As an interim measure, children complete worksheets and engage in activities that support their learning. This prepares children to return to education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise and understand the importance of children spending time with people who matter to them. For one child, this has involved rebuilding relationships with family. As a result, children enjoy quality time with family and friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff listen to children’s views, wishes and feelings and support them to be involved in decisions about their care. Children co-produce their care plans and are kept informed about why decisions are made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved to supported accommodation and one child has moved into the home. A further child moved in briefly but moved on quickly following a significant behavioural incident. The manager has completed a comprehensive review of that child’s time at the home and identified lessons learned.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is generally a warm and welcoming environment with many photos of the children displayed throughout. Staff help children to personalise their bedrooms according to their individual preferences. However, some communal areas require redecoration.

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

Staff have the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to help children stay safe. Detailed written information from placing authorities supports staff practice. Risk assessments are clear and provide detailed guidance for staff to follow, and child friendly versions help children to understand what adults are worried about. Staff respond quickly and proactively to safeguarding incidents and consistently follow children’s safety plans. Inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 4 Staff manage behaviour well, using effective de-escalation techniques to reduce heightened situations. They use rewards and incentives to promote positive behaviour. On one occasion, staff used a physical hold as a last resort to prevent harm. Consequences used in the home are proportionate and effective.

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

When children go missing from the home, staff are persistent in searching for them and work to return them home safely. Staff contact family and friends to gather information and support their efforts to locate children as quickly as possible. When children remain absent, staff continue their attempts to encourage children to return home safely.

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

Staff respond sensitively and appropriately when children harm themselves. They administer first aid, offer reassurance and care, and help children develop positive coping strategies for managing strong emotions. Staff also search bedrooms when needed to remove items that may be used to cause harm.

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

Staff complete extensive, research-based direct work with children to develop their understanding of risk and challenge any discriminatory views they express. They also support children to learn essential life skills that they will need when they move on from the home.

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

The manager handles complaints efficiently and effectively. Records show the actions taken to resolve issues and provide a clear rationale for decisions made.

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

Before children move into the home, the manager completes a risk assessment identifying known risks. However, for one child, the manager did not fully consider staff’s skills and experience in meeting the child’s needs or clearly record the decision-making rationale. The manager has since introduced an improved and effective system for considering new admissions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is highly skilled and experienced. She uses effective monitoring and review systems to maintain excellent oversight of the home. She has a detailed understanding of each child’s needs, is strongly child centred and has high expectations of staff. She leads by example and continually drives improvement in the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff use research-informed practice and consult with the homes therapy team to understand children’s behaviours and adapt their approaches. Staff use warmth, encouragement and humour to get the best out of children. The manager completes comprehensive reviews of behavioural incidents, analyses root causes and incorporates relevant community statistical information to deepen understanding. These tools help staff analyse behaviour and adjust their care accordingly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable staff team in place that is committed to providing good quality care to children. Staff describe loving their jobs and enjoying coming to work. They say that the manager is approachable and that they feel confident in raising concerns. One staff member said, ‘She’s brilliant, I can’t sing her praises enough. She is the best manager I Inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 5 have ever had.’ Individual welfare plans help the manager to identify and respond to staff wellbeing needs. Staff describe feeling appreciated which is reflected in the home’s staff appreciation board.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager prioritises staff development. Staff attend a wide range of training that equips them to manage children’s individual needs. The manager also provides development sessions in team meetings to enhance practice. This includes engaging with local communities to build deeper cultural understanding and delivering bespoke workshops. Staff describe a strong learning culture whereby feedback is shared constructively and without blame.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, reflective supervision and have ample opportunities to discuss their care of children. Supervisions explore staff’s strengths and aspirations. Staff are provided with clear guidance on the tasks they need to carry out. Any shortfalls in staff practice are addressed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager communicates effectively with partner agencies. She advocates strongly for children and escalates concerns when their needs are not being met. Professionals say that staff provide ‘excellent’ care for children. One social worker said, ‘The manager is brilliant, she goes above and beyond always for [name of child] and is really proactive when any concerns arise, implementing appropriate safety plans quickly.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 6

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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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

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)(a)(b) (2)(a)) 4 March 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff provide a welcoming and nurturing environment that is designed, furnished and maintained to meet children’s needs effectively. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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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: 2640099 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northridge Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Richard House, 9 Winckley Square, Preston PR1 3HP

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Inspectors

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Joy Viles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2640099 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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