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Social care · Social care assurance visit

Children's Home run by Westmoreland Care Group Limited in Lancashire

Inspected 18 Mar 2026 · published 23 May 2026 · URN 2796537

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Summary

No overall grade in this framework

Jon Dutton

What we read, and from where

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  • Group verified

    Westmoreland Care Group Limited

  • Inspection date verified

    18 Mar 2026

  • Inspectors verified

    Jon Dutton

  • Name on report verified

    2796537

  • URN verified

    2796537

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Tone of the report

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−33Criticalmore positive than 37% of reports of this type

In line with other reports of this type.

Criticismlimited

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsAbout the inspection positive critical

Strengths

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No standout praise found.

Concerns

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No strong criticism found.

Next steps

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No next steps set out.

Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
5
Words of findings
22
shorter than usual (typical 479)
Reading level
—
Average sentence
11 words
Next steps
0
typical 4
Hedged sentences
0%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 3%About the inspection 97%

Full report text

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2796537 1 Registered provider: Westmoreland Care Group Limited

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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 company. It provides care for up to 2 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. The inspector spoke with the child as part of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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Inspection date: 18 March 2026

Date of last inspection: 9 December 2025

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Inspection date: 18 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 18 March 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, 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. 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: 2796537 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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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has implemented an improvement plan that has successfully overcome the shortfalls identified at that inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The child lives in a warm, comfortable, and nurturing environment. The child has access to a large garden, kitchen and living room. The home features photos of the child having fun with staff members. The child has been able to personalise their bedroom.

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Findings from the inspection

The child is currently not accessing formal education. The manager has escalated concerns regarding their education options, and a multi-agency plan is now in place to identify a suitable provision. Staff are currently delivering home-based learning to the child as an interim measure. A structured timetable has been created to support a consistent routine, with a focus on daily educational activities and the development of independence skills.

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Findings from the inspection

The risks the child faces are managed through comprehensive risk assessments, which are regularly reviewed. They are carried out in collaboration with the child and multi-agency partners, who contribute their understanding of the risks involved.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand strategies to manage the child’s behaviour, and they use effective de-escalation techniques to diffuse incidents. Following an incident, the manager ensures clear communication with key stakeholders and, where required, the regulator. This supports transparency and reinforces the safeguarding measures in place. The manager also ensures that referrals to the local authority designated officer are made when necessary.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support the child through strengths-based key-work sessions that are tailored to their individual needs and remain child centred. The sessions cover important topics, such as knife crime, child criminal exploitation, and substance misuse. Staff have also received specialist training linked to the child’s specific needs, which has strengthened their ability to understand and manage associated risks.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager ensures that staff have access to regular team meetings and supervision. This supports the development of the workforce in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Safer recruitment policies are followed. There have been some changes to the staff team since the last inspection. New staff have been appropriately vetted ahead of working in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2796537 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/12/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/03/2025 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2796537 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Westmoreland Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 10 Green Bank Park, Higher Road, Longridge, Preston PR3 2XY

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Inspector

Jon Dutton, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2796537 5 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

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 .

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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 .

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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