Children's Home run by Family Care Associates Limited in Herefordshire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2837229 1 Registered provider: Family Care Associates Limited

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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 registered to care for 2 children who present with complex behaviours following adverse childhood experiences and trauma.

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Information about this children's home

The home does not currently have a manager. The previous manager left on 26 December 2025.

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Information about this children's home

No children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

Ofsted has issued a notice of proposal to impose a 3-month condition.

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Information about this children's home

Date of last inspection: 10 November 2025

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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 these inspections, 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. Inspectors have 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: 2837229 2

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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.

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Summary of findings

This visit was supported by 2 registered managers from the organisation other homes.

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Summary of findings

Since December 2025, no children have lived in the home. The manager and the staff team have since left their roles.

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Summary of findings

The provider has indicated an intention to close the home; however, they have not formally notified the regulator. A notice of proposal to impose a 3-month condition was issued.

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Summary of findings

Managers have not taken effective action to address the requirements set at the last full inspection when six requirements issued. Out of the six requirements, only one has been met, the others remain unmet and have been restated. Two additional requirements have been issued.

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Summary of findings

The inspector found there have been occasions when the child left the home without staff agreement. Although staff generally followed the home's procedures, records do not consistently demonstrate the actions taken by staff. There is a lack of managerial oversight of these incidents. Leaders did not demonstrate professional curiosity regarding where the child had been, or whether the child had been at risk whilst away from the home. Follow ‑ up discussions with the child were not routinely recorded.

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Summary of findings

Leaders have not made any attempt to recruit a new manager, nor have they established any interim management arrangements. This does not demonstrate effective leadership oversight. Also, they have failed to ensure the home continues to receive monthly independent visits to the home to provide external scrutiny and accountability.

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Summary of findings

Staff made efforts to build a positive relationship with one child that lived at the home but has since moved out. They supported and encouraged the child’s engagement in education.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers felt that the staff team could not meet the child’s needs. Following discussions with the placing authority, a decision was made for the child to move. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2837229 3 Staff supported the child to understand the reasons for this decision, planned a leaving breakfast and helped the child with their move to their new home. They took the child to their new home and made sure they had settled in before leaving. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2837229 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/11/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2837229 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, 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children's plans clearly outline risks to them and strategies to manage these and that staff work with children to help them understand risks and how to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 22 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. 22 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2837229 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child's relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child's health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child's health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child's age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child's health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child's well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff seek necessary advice and information about a children's health condition and help children understand health conditions as well as the importance of regular health check-ups.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

understand and apply the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child's welfare; 22 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2837229 7 provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans, taking account of the child's background;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iv)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children are supported to have positive routines which help them make progress.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each permanent appointment of an employee is subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation. (Regulation 33 (1)(b) 22 May 2026

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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

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 staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of 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; 22 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2837229 8 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)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that managers have effective oversight of the quality of care provided to children.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children's home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)) 22 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month. (Regulation 44 (1)) 22 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2837229 9

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Family Care Associates Limited

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Children's home details

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

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Inspector

Debbie Bond, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2837229 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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