Children's Home run by Northwest Youth Services Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2858285 1 Registered provider: Northwest Youth Services Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in November 2025. This is the first inspection since registration.

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Information about this children’s home

During this inspection period, one child moved into the home. The inspector spoke with the child during the inspection.

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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: 2858285 2

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Summary of findings

There has been change in the management structure of this home. This has not impacted the support in place for the child or staff.

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Summary of findings

The child is settled in their home and is supported by staff who know them well. They actively engage in activities which promote their interests and supplement their education.

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Summary of findings

The staff work effectively with the home’s forensic psychologist. This ensures that care and support are trauma ‑ informed and therapeutically led and tailored to meet the child’s individual needs.

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Summary of findings

The staff have a good understanding of the child’s risks and the strategies in place to support them.

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Summary of findings

The managers and staff have high aspirations for children. Staff show commitment to their role and enjoy working in the home and supporting children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s move into the home was carefully planned and well managed. The manager worked closely with the child’s network to coordinate a structured move into the home alongside the child’s established staff team. This provided continuity of care from trusted adults at a time of significant change and helped the child build familiarity and confidence with their new home. The child’s social worker said: ‘[Name of child] has experienced stability, reliable care and positive relational experiences with the staff.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager works effectively and proactively with social workers and school headteachers to support education in the home until a suitable education provision can be found. Plans include tutoring and structured educational activities. Staff are creative in using the child’s interests to engage the child in education. This is helping to build their confidence and set goals for their future aspirations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is encouraged to express their wishes and feelings in monthly meetings and in regular discussions with staff. Weekly reflection meetings have recently been introduced providing opportunity to reflect on positive aspects of the week and achievements. The child is supported to complete their feedback and prepare questions in preparation for meetings about their care. This empowers them to contribute to decisions about their daily lives and helps them to feel listened to and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys a wide range of activities, such as boxing, BMX biking, reading, youth club, theme parks and guitar lessons. These experiences support the child to develop Inspection report for children’s home: 2858285 3 hobbies linked to their interests, build confidence, and form positive social friendships in the local community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff create a warm, welcoming and homely environment where the child feels relaxed and comfortable. The home is well presented, with the child’s artwork proudly displayed throughout. The child’s bedroom is well furnished, and the child takes pride in keeping it clean and tidy.

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

The child is supported to develop positive, caring relationships with staff. The trust that staff build with the child enables the child to talk openly about their past experiences. Staff approach these conversations sensitively, helping the child to express their views openly.

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

There is a strong culture of safeguarding at the home. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding, and whistleblowing procedures and protocols are reviewed in team meetings. This ensures that all staff will respond to safeguarding concerns effectively. Despite some changes within the staff team, staff practice has remained consistent. Communication between staff is clear and effective, resulting in consistent boundaries in the home. This consistency helps the child to feel secure and well supported.

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

The manager ensures that staff receive training that is tailored to the specific needs of the child. As a result, staff understand the child’s individual risks and strategies required to support them. The child’s risks are documented in risk assessment and behaviour management plans, which guide staff practice. The manager closely monitors staff practice to ensure that safety plans are followed, providing guidance and addressing concerns where needed.

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

There are clear plans in place to support the reduction of restrictions associated with the child’s current deprivation of liberty order. This helps the child adjust to the changes in a structured way while maintaining their sense of safety. The child’s social worker said: ‘Staff manage risk proportionately; risk management is not static. Staff are proactive in reviewing and adapting plans in a timely manner, demonstrating a clear focus on progress rather than containment.’

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

Incidents of self-harm and low mood are managed well. Staff know when to escalate concerns and seek additional support. Staff monitor the child’s emotional wellbeing, provide reassurance and emotional support, and administer first aid when required. Staff reflect on incidents with the child and sensitively explore feelings and alternative coping strategies.

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

Room searches are completed in line with the child’s safety plans and as part of safeguarding procedures, particularly following concerns about possession of unsafe items. These searches are appropriately recorded, and any items found are safely disposed of. Inspection report for children’s home: 2858285 4 The child attends regular sessions with the home’s forensic psychologist. The psychologist also contributes to team meetings, offering reflective support and training on attachment and trauma recovery. This ensures that staff have a strong understanding of the impact of trauma on children’s emotional and behavioural presentation.

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

Staff complete direct work with the child under the guidance of the forensic psychologist to help the child identify their feelings and support emotional regulation when feeling overwhelmed. This coordinated approach has strengthened communication between staff, and the child is now more able to verbalise their thoughts and feelings with staff.

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

Allegations are taken seriously. Leaders work closely with relevant professionals to ensure that investigations are thorough.

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

Consequences are rarely used in the home. When in place, they are fair and aim to educate the child and ensure safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The responsible individual now oversees the operational structure of the organisation. The home’s previous registered manager is progressing an application to become the responsible individual, and the deputy manager has applied to register as the registered manager. These changes reflect planned progression within an established management structure and provide continuity and stability for the child, staff and professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are highly motivated and demonstrate a clear and shared vision for the home. The responsible individual and manager remain focused on improving outcomes for children and supporting staff development. Their ambition and commitment are evident in their oversight of practice and drive to maintain high standards of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective oversight of the home. Monitoring is robust, with reports and plans clearly evidencing the manager’s understanding of day-to-day practice. The manager uses a detailed daily checklist to monitor key areas of care and safety. Weekly meetings between the manager and responsible individual support forward planning and oversight. Monthly independent visitor reports and weekly audits completed by the responsible individual add further layers of assurance. This structured approach helps ensure the home operates in line with regulations and that children receive good-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly and are used effectively to share information and promote reflective practice. Additional meetings are arranged following crisis situations to ensure learning and consistency in responses. Attendance is good, and the manager ensures that absent staff receive and read the minutes. They are used to reflect on practice, review the children’s risk assessments and plan for the upcoming month. The Inspection report for children’s home: 2858285 5 home’s forensic psychologist attends to provide guidance on strategies of support for the child and ensure that staff are using therapeutic responses to the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers follow safer recruitment procedures. This means that staff are fully checked before they provide care to children. There are detailed induction plans in place to support new staff. Staff are able to complete mandatory training, familiarise themselves with the home’s policies and procedures and get to know the child. This ensures that staff are prepared to support the child in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and are well supported throughout their probationary period. Reviews are used to identify learning needs and ensure that practice meets the home’s expectations. Staff said that they feel supported by leaders and managers and enjoy working in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff communicate effectively with the child’s networks. The child’s social worker reported that the manager maintains excellent communication.

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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: 2858285 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northwest Youth Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Frazer Waite Desmier, Peine House, 1 Hind Hill Street, Heywood OL10 1JZ

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Inspector

Renée Sims, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2858285 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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