Children's Home run by Helpful Investments Ltd in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2645858 1 Registered provider: Helpful Investments Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in September 2021 and is operated by a private provider. It offers care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2024.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2645858 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/05/2025 Full Good 04/06/2024 Full Good 30/08/2023 Full Good 21/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2645858 3

p.2

Summary of findings

Staff build trusting relationships with children through therapeutic care. Staff prioritise children’s education and respond effectively to their health needs.

p.3

Summary of findings

Staff respond to incidents using strategies outlined in each child’s individual risk assessment. They liaise with the police and family members when children go missing from home to support their safe return.

p.3

Summary of findings

The registered manager and staff know the children well. Staff receive regular supervision and attend team meetings. The in-house psychology team support-making when children move into the home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home and is now living in a foster care arrangement with the former deputy manager. One child has moved into the home; this transition was well planned and appropriately supported.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are building trusting relationships with the children by providing therapeutic care. One child said that staff help to manage their emotions. This demonstrates that the manager and staff provide a consistent level of care.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spend time with people who are important to them and participate in activities they enjoy, such as football and cheerleading. This supports the development of their identity.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are recognised, understood and met by staff. Staff take appropriate action when medical treatment is required. One child’s diabetes is well managed and has improved since moving into the home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise children’s education. The children attend school full time and have good attendance. This demonstrates that staff support children’s ongoing learning and development effectively.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is decorated and furnished to a good standard, creating a welcoming and homely feel. Photos of the children and staff are displayed throughout the home. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their individual preferences and are decorated with their own belongings, helping them to develop a sense of belonging. Inspection report for children’s home: 2645858 4

p.3

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

The children’s risk assessments and safety plans are effective and reviewed regularly. They incorporate new and emerging information, ensuring that staff have up-to-date knowledge of each child’s risks and vulnerabilities. This enables staff to implement strategies that are current, relevant and effective in keeping children safe.

p.4

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

Staff use the PACE model of care to support children when they are upset and to reduce the escalation of incidents. Physical intervention is only used as a last resort to ensure the safety of children and staff. Children are spoken to promptly following any incidents, enabling them to reflect and share their views. Records of physical intervention contain all the required information in line with regulatory requirements.

p.4

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

When children go missing, staff respond promptly. Partnership working with the police and family members is effective, and staff take proactive steps to ensure that children return home as soon as possible. Staff have a good understanding of the missing-from- home procedures.

p.4

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

Consequences are used when necessary, and they are appropriate and understood by children. However, managers do not clearly record the effectiveness of these consequences. This is a missed opportunity to evaluate whether the consequence has had a meaningful impact on the child’s behaviour or learning.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they enjoy working at the home and that they receive support from the manager. One staff member said:

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

‘The manager of the home is amazing. She is supportive, approachable and keeps herself up to date with the day-to-day running of the home. I feel very safe and secure working in her home and know that I can approach her with any issue, professional or personal.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager provides reflective supervision to all staff, and practice is reviewed effectively. Regular team meetings provide opportunities for staff to discuss the children’s needs, share good practice and address any challenges. This supports staff to maintain a consistent approach and helps ensure that children continue to receive high- quality care.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has effective relationships with relevant professionals, supporting strong multi-agency working. Children’s social workers are given timely access to records, ensuring that they have the necessary information to monitor progress and make informed decisions. This collaborative approach contributes to consistent, well-coordinated care for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff make effective use of the in-house psychology team to reflect on children’s needs and experiences. This enables staff to develop a deeper understanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2645858 5 of children’s behaviours and the factors influencing them. Managers also consult the team when considering new admissions, ensuring that decisions are informed and carefully planned.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have the necessary skills to provide effective care for children. Staff received specialist health training before one child moved into the home, which has supported the child’s health needs to be met to a good standard. Inspection report for children’s home: 2645858 6

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all consequences are regularly reviewed to assess their effectiveness. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)

p.6

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: 2645858 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Helpful Investments Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 31 Bridge Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales SY23 1QB

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Rachel Springford

p.7

Inspector

Karen Andrews, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2645858 8 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.

p.7

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 . 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 .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8