Children's Home run by Orchard Adolescent Care Group in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 1 Registered provider: Orchard Adolescent Care Group

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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 owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this visit, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2025.

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This monitoring visit

The home was judged inadequate at the full inspection carried out on 12 and 13 May 2026. The inspector identified significant shortfalls in safeguarding practice, as well as weaknesses in the home’s leadership and management.

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This monitoring visit

Following the full inspection, 3 compliance notices were issued under section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. These related to Regulation 12 (the protection of children standard), Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard) and Regulation 32 (fitness of workers) of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to monitor the action taken by the provider in response to the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

One child continues to live in the home and is making progress.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager remains absent from work, and the home continues to be supported by an interim manager. The interim manager is making some positive changes; however, these are not yet embedded in practice. He understands the shortfalls and knows what needs to improve to better support the child and staff. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 2 Team meetings are now taking place, and the interim manager is using these sessions to promote reflection and learning. Supervision sessions have also commenced; however, neither the manager nor all staff members are receiving supervision in line with the organisation’s policy. This is a missed opportunity to provide the manager and staff with dedicated time to discuss their practice and reflect on how they support the child.

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This monitoring visit

Since the full inspection, staff have completed exercises with the manager focusing on whistleblowing and their roles and responsibilities when concerns about practice arise. However, insufficient action has been taken to ensure that all staff have completed training specific to the child’s individual needs, as well as training identified following shortfalls in incident management. This does not ensure that the child is cared for by a competent and experienced staff team.

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This monitoring visit

The child’s risk assessments and support plans have improved. However, guidance for staff supporting the child during bath time lacks clarity. In addition, information regarding staff training is factually inaccurate.

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This monitoring visit

Staff still do not have access to the most up-to-date information about the child. Although key statutory documents have been requested, insufficient action has been taken to escalate concerns to the relevant local authority when these documents have not been provided. This limits staff’s ability to meet the child’s individual needs well and ensure their safety.

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This monitoring visit

Shortfalls in safer recruitment remain. Leaders have taken insufficient action to ensure that references are obtained and Disclosure and Barring Service checks are reviewed before employees begin working at the home. This places the child at increased risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

Action has been taken to improve the home environment. The home has been redecorated and cleaned. New carpets have been fitted, and rubbish has been removed from the outside areas.

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This monitoring visit

Following this visit, a case review was held. It was agreed that the provider had not taken sufficient action to meet the requirements of compliance notices. Consequently, the compliance notices issued under Regulations 12, 13 and 32 have been restated.

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This monitoring visit

The requirements raised at the full inspection were outside the scope of this visit. Progress against these requirements will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/05/2026 Full Inadequate 17/06/2025 Full Good 11/02/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

*The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(v)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered provider must ensure that the child’s risk assessments and support plans are appropriately assessed and factually accurate, with clear strategies in place for staff to support and safeguard the child. 26 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

*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— 26 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 5 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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(e)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that staff complete all training specific to the child’s individual needs, as well as training identified by leaders and managers to support professional development and practice.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character; 26 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 6 the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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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)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered provider must ensure that all staff recruitment files confirm compliance with safer recruitment practices and Regulation 32, and any identified shortfalls are addressed promptly to ensure that only suitable and safe adults work with children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

satisfy the requirements in paragraph (5)(a) to (c); and

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Requirement Due date

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (7)(a)(b)) 4 July 2026

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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

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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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) (2)(vii)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must ensure that the home is maintained to a good standard. Specifically, they must ensure that rubbish is removed, damaged items are replaced, and furnishings are clean and of good quality. 4 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 7 The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b)) 4 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience;

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must ensure that all staff receive regular, effective supervision and annual appraisals. 4 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must ensure that all up-to-date statutory documents are received for the child. 4 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the child; 4 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 8 details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered provider must ensure that any consequences implemented to keep children safe or in response to their behaviour are clearly evaluated for effectiveness.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. 4 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 9 (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(c)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered provider must ensure that significant incidents are reported to Ofsted.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

the registered provider and, if applicable, the registered manager; and

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Requirement Due date

the responsible individual (if one is nominated). (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(b) (4)(a)(b)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered provider must ensure that the independent person scrutinises the quality of care and records a clear and factual account of their findings. The registered provider must also ensure that reports are consistently shared with Ofsted. 4 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4; and

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(a)(b)) 4 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 10 Specifically, the registered person must ensure that rotas include the full names of all staff who work in the home and the actual hours worked.

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs;

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered provider must ensure that all key documents are obtained in a timely manner and that appropriate escalation takes place when there are delays in receiving them. 26 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Orchard Adolescent Care Group

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16 Holroyd Business Centre, Carr Bottom Road, Bradford BD5 9BP

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Inspector

Kelly McCurdy, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2794973 12 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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