Children's Home run by Therapeutic Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home: 2857123 1 Registered provider: Therapeutic Care 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

The home is operated by a private company. It provides care for 2 children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in October 2025.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. The child spoke to the inspector.

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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: none Inspection report for children's home: 2857123 2

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Summary of findings

The child feels settled in the home and has good, trusting relationships with staff. They are making progress and engaging with education.

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Summary of findings

Staff share a good understanding of children's needs and provide an appropriate response to any significant incidents that occur in the home.

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Summary of findings

Managers have not sought external healthcare provider advice when the child has stopped taking prescribed medication. The responsibility for the management of prescribed medication is not clearly recorded.

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Summary of findings

The home is managed by an experienced manager. Safer recruitment practices are in place. However, applicants' employment histories are not consistently explored or recorded, and there is no evidence that the original Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check was seen for one member of staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home was registered, 2 children have moved in. One child moved out after a very short amount of time due to factors outside of the manager's control. Moves into the home are well planned. Where possible, children are offered the opportunity to visit and meet staff before they move in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff consistently prioritise children's education, and the manager strongly advocates for the child. The child is supported to access a broad range of learning opportunities that reflect their interests and abilities. The manager is working closely with education professionals to secure a suitable education provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff understand the importance of family time. The child is supported to maintain relationships that are important to them, in a safe and planned way. Staff travel considerable distances to support the child to see their family, helping them to maintain meaningful social connections.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child's health needs are understood. Staff ensure that the child is registered with universal health services and attend relevant appointments. Staff administer the child's medication safely and in line with procedures. When the child refuses medication, staff respect their wishes. However, a medical review has not been arranged with a relevant health professional when a child has refused medication over a prolonged period, to consider the impact on their health. Inspection report for children's home: 2857123 3 Children live in a welcoming home that is furnished to a high standard. The child's bedroom and garden room are personalised with their belongings. The manager allows staff's pets to visit the home, which promotes a sense of belonging for children.

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

The child is making progress and has developed positive relationships with staff and managers. Staff are knowledgeable about the children's needs and vulnerabilities.

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

Staff care for the child using a range of therapeutic techniques. This promotes a calm and non-confrontational culture and means that incidents are rare. When consequences are used, they are proportionate.

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

There has been one incident involving physical intervention, which was proportionate and used as a last resort. Managers ensure that debriefs and follow up actions are completed in line with policy and discussed in team meetings. This supports the staff's understanding of reflective practice.

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

The child rarely goes missing from home. When they do, staff promptly follow procedures and search for the child. Clear records are maintained, documenting the actions taken, and include effective management oversight.

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

The registered manager and staff work effectively with external agencies. Feedback from the wider professional network is consistently positive. They report that staff communicate clearly, share information and advocate to ensure that the child's needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. The manager is supported by a committed staff team. Their practice is child centred. They are aspirational for the child and have vision for the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New members of staff complete an induction programme before being enrolled on a recognised childcare qualification. Staff have access to a wide range of training courses and demonstrate the skills needed to meet children's needs, including when new needs emerge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they feel supported by the manager and are encouraged to develop within the organisation. Regular team meetings are used for discussion, reflection and shared learning. Staff receive regular supervision, which supports reflective practice and ongoing professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Medication records do not clearly identify when medication was prescribed, or which external healthcare provider is managing it. This limits effective oversight in the child's healthcare management. Inspection report for children's home: 2857123 4 Safer recruitment practices are in place. However, applicants' employment histories are not consistently explored and recorded, and the original DBS check was not seen for one member of staff. Inspection report for children's home: 2857123 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

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.

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Requirement Due date

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; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that when children refuse medication for a prolonged period, a medical review is arranged with a relevant health professional. 27 April 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2857123 6 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

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;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that recording is clear, accurate and consistently maintained. 18 May 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2857123 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person should strengthen monitoring systems to ensure that evidence of all Disclosure and Barring Service checks is accurately recorded. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 60, paragraph 31.1)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that recruitment records clearly document any gaps that have been explored in the employment histories of staff. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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: 2857123 8

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Therapeutic Care Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Therapeutic Care Ltd, Errigal House, Avroe Crescent, Blackpool FY4 2DP

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Joanne Whitehead

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Inspector

Sonja Vega, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2857123 9 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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