Children's Home run by Aspire Care (NW) Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2862656 1 Registered provider: Aspire Care (NW) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider runs this home. The home provides care for up to 2 children who may experience emotional or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager and home were registered with Ofsted in December 2025. The provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and Ofsted is currently checking that this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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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: 2862656 2

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Summary of findings

The child has lived at the home for a short period of time. They are making some progress in some areas of their life, and their risks have reduced since moving into the home.

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Summary of findings

Staff share a good understanding of the child’s needs and provide an appropriate response to any significant incidents which occur.

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Summary of findings

Much of the property is suitably maintained, however standards of cleanliness in the child’s room were not of an acceptable level.

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Summary of findings

There is a manager and stable staff team in place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into this home since it was registered. The move was well planned, and the child was given the opportunity to meet the staff before they moved in. While the child has been reluctant to fully engage with their plans, staff have persevered. The child is now starting to form relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the child’s health needs. The child has previously had limited interaction with medical professionals and is being supported by staff to address outstanding needs, such as dental treatment. The provider employs an in-house therapist to provide staff with advice and guidance about how best to work with the child. Medication is managed safely in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is not currently attending an educational provision. Staff and the manager have spoken to the child about their preferences and interests and are seeking a suitable educational setting. The child is encouraged to have high aspirations. Staff are supporting the child with preparation for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of the child maintaining positive relationships with family and friends. The child spends time with their friends and family in the community which promotes their connection and belonging. Thought is given into how this will be managed safely and staff complete regular welfare checks on the child when they are in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is comfortable and well maintained in most areas. However, the child has not been fully supported by staff to maintain acceptable levels of cleanliness in their bedroom. Additionally, smoking has been allowed in the garden which undermines efforts to model healthy behaviours to the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2862656 3

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

The child is kept safe by staff who understand their needs and vulnerabilities. The manager works closely with safeguarding agencies to identify and mitigate risks to the child.

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

Incidents are managed by staff in accordance with their training and policy protocols. The child supported to manage their emotions which reduces the number of incidents in the home. The manager and staff are curious and seek to understand the underlying reasons for the child’s actions and behaviours.

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

There has been a significant reduction in the number of missing-from-home episodes for the child. When the child goes missing staff follow protocols and procedures. Staff search for the child and collect them when they are located.

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

Staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. They know how to escalate concerns, including to external safeguarding partners. However, staff recruitment is not always completed robustly. Full and accurate employment histories had not been obtained for staff in 2 cases.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably qualified. The manager’s practice is child-centred and they have a good understanding of the child’s needs. The manager is supported by a stable and experienced staff team and has formed positive working relationships with other professionals involved in the child’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff access regular training to maintain their skills and knowledge. The manager ensures that staff have the skills to meet the child’s needs. Most of the staff are experienced and qualified in residential childcare. New members of staff complete an induction before being enrolled to complete a relevant qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they feel supported and valued. Staff benefit from regular supervision sessions during which they can discuss any aspects of their role. Staff also have access to an employee assistance programme provided by the organisation. This aids staff retention, which provides consistency for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly and are opportunities for staff to share information, reflect on practice and engage in further learning. This helps to promote and strengthen consistent practice across the team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2862656 4

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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, 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.

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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

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff support the child to maintain good standards of cleanliness in their bedroom.

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Requirement Due date

Furthermore, that staff and children do not smoke anywhere on the premises of the home. 18 June 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d)) 18 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2862656 5 In particular, the registered person must ensure that a full and accurate employment history is obtained for all staff employed. Additionally, any gaps in employment must be fully explored and analysed.

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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: 2862656 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Aspire Care (NW) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 49 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY3 9DG

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Inspector

Eve Ostridge, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2862656 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 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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