Children's Home run by Your Chapter Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC489416 1 SC489416

p.1

Registered provider: Your Chapter Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in 2015.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2025.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: SC489416 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the previous inspection, one child has moved on from the home. At the time of this visit, 2 children were living in the home. Both children talk positively about their experiences. They shared that they are happy and enjoy spending time with staff who they have strong relationships with. Observations showed warm, supportive and natural interactions between staff and children. One child reflected on the progress they have made since moving in, saying, ‘coming to live here has changed my life.’

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children continue to make progress in their education. Since the last inspection, both children have begun attending a local school. One child finds school attendance challenging, and staff provide consistent routines and informal learning opportunities to support their gradual return to full-time education. Children are also encouraged to think about their future and explore their goals and aspirations.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Rules and expectations are clearly explained to children. Incentives are used to promote positive behaviour, and children are rewarded when they do well.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff respond promptly when children are missing from home. Staff go out looking for children, liaise with family members and other professionals and seek advice from managers. Children are welcomed home by staff who sensitively explore the reasons that they went missing.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Allegations against staff are treated seriously and investigated thoroughly. Children speak to managers about their concerns and their views are responded to. The organisation follows their disciplinary processes when shortfalls in staff practice are identified. However, on one occasion, leaders did not liaise with the local authority designated officer.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Plans outline the actions staff should take if concerns arise about a child’s safety. However, on one occasion staff did not search a child’s bedroom when there were clear signs of alcohol misuse, and medical advice was not sought. The manager later identified this shortfall in practice, but the records do not show that the issue was addressed directly with the staff involved.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Not all incident records contain accurate or sufficient information. Some entries include incorrect details, and dates are not always recorded. As a result, the records do not clearly demonstrate all the actions taken by staff to keep children safe.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been several changes to the home’s management structure. The manager is now registered, and a new responsible individual has taken up their post. In addition, a new deputy manager is due to begin working in the home shortly. Leaders and managers have a clear Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC489416 3 understanding of the home’s strengths and the areas that require further development.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Several new staff have joined the home since the last inspection. They complete mandatory training in line with the home’s statement of purpose and receive regular, reflective supervision. Scenario-based learning is used to strengthen their skills, and detailed supervision records are maintained.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Team meetings take place regularly, providing leaders and managers with opportunities to reinforce expectations and promote effective teamwork. Actions are shared across the staff team, creating a strong sense of collective responsibility for how the home operates. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC489416 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/10/2024 Full Inadequate 06/02/2024 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC489416 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.5

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

p.5

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

p.5

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

p.5

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that all staff remain vigilant to risks for children and that they are supported to understand and follow children’s plans to keep 19 June 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC489416 6 children safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

p.6

Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 11) (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ix)(x)(xi))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 19 June 2026

p.6

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—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. 19 June 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC489416 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.6

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

p.7

Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that the staff team has the necessary skills, knowledge, expertise, training and confidence to meet the assessed needs and risks of each child.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must have effective oversight of the quality of care provided to children so that they can identify and address areas of concern.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority.

p.7

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(iii)) 19 June 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC489416 8 In particular, the registered person must ensure that moves in and out of the home are carefully considered and well supported in a planned way.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

p.8

Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

p.8

Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children’s case records contain up-to-date information about the child and the support offered by staff, specifically when recording incidents in daily records.

p.8

Requirement Due date

This requirement has been restated. 19 June 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC489416 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Your Chapter Limited

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hobart House, Oakwater Avenue, Cheadle Royal Business Park, Cheadle SK8 3SR

p.9

Inspector

Anna Belshaw, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC489416 10 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.

p.9

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.10