Children's home run by Family Care Associates Limited in Preston

Inspection report for children’s home: SC063380 1 SC063380 Registered provider: Family Care Associates Ltd

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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 operated by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care for up to 4 children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2023 and is suitably qualified to run the home.

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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: SC063380 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/01/2025 Full Good 19/03/2024 Full Good 25/01/2023 Full Good 15/06/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC063380 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a warm, welcoming and well-maintained environment that is thoughtfully furnished and decorated. Children’s artwork is proudly displayed throughout the home, celebrating their creativity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress from their individual starting points. Staff actively promote the value of education and work effectively with schools and other professionals to ensure that children’s needs are understood and supported through appropriate provisions. One child’s attendance has significantly increased since moving to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to understand and manage their emotions. Through meaningful conversations with staff, they have developed healthier coping strategies and are able to express their views and feelings, in a supportive environment. This progress is contributing to improved stability and wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop age-appropriate independence skills in line with their individual plans and starting points. Staff provide consistent guidance and practical opportunities for children to develop essential life skills, including budgeting, food shopping and cooking. As a result, children are growing in confidence and developing the skills needed for adult life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has made significant progress in relation to their health since moving into the home. Through ongoing support and effective partnership working with health professionals, the child’s overall health and wellbeing have improved considerably. Feedback from health professionals recognises the dedication and consistent support provided by staff in achieving these positive outcomes.

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

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of each child’s individual needs, vulnerabilities and known risks. Staff support children to learn about potential risks and regularly discuss safety with them. Children are helped to reflect on their behaviours and develop safer strategies for managing difficult situations.

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

Staff focus on de-escalation strategies and relationship-based practice, which is reflected in the minimal use of physical intervention since the last inspection. When physical intervention is used, it is proportionate and appropriate and only used as a last resort.

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

There have been medication errors in the home. These incidents have been responded to promptly, with appropriate action taken to safeguard children. Errors have been reviewed to identify learning moving forward. As a result of this, there are now strengthened systems and additional safeguards in place. Inspection report for children’s home: SC063380 4 One significant safeguarding concern has occurred since the last inspection. Staff acted promptly and worked effectively with the relevant professionals to ensure a coordinated response that identified, assessed and managed risks appropriately, thereby safeguarding all children. Following the incident, the staff team participated in reflective discussions and completed thorough reviews of practice to strengthen risk management arrangements. This response demonstrates the home’s commitment to robust risk management and to maintaining a culture of continual learning and vigilance.

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

Missing-from-home episodes are well managed, with clear procedures understood and followed by staff. When incidents occur, staff take prompt and appropriate action to locate children and liaise with relevant agencies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers know the home and the children well. They understand their needs and have high expectations for the care they receive. The manager demonstrates strong advocacy for children, ensuring that their needs, views and best interests are always represented.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a culture of learning and reflection in the home. Regular supervision, team meetings and reflective discussions contribute to a positive working culture. Additionally, therapeutic principles that underpin daily practice are further supported through clinical team meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most of the staff report that they feel well supported by leaders and managers, describing managers as responsive and approachable. However, since the last inspection, several team members have left, in a period that staff have described as particularly challenging. This highlights the need to ensure greater stability in the staff team, to maintain a positive environment and ensure continuity of care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

While the period since the last inspection has presented challenges, leaders and managers have demonstrated strong reflective practice, identifying areas for development and learning opportunities. There have also been opportunities for staff to provide feedback, some of which has led to a change in rotas based on staff preference.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from external professionals has been consistently positive. They describe good communication, a child-focused approach and children achieving positive outcomes as key strengths of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC063380 5

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Statutory requirement

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

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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

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staffing is stable, to maintain positive and consistent support for children. 31 May 2026

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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: SC063380 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Family Care Associates Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: First Floor Offices, The Unit, Berry Way, Euxton, Chorley PR7 6RA

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Inspector

Sophie Coogan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC063380 7 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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Inspector

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