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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2774125 1 Registered provider: Northridge 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 owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this visit, one child was living at the home and was spoken to by the inspector.

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This monitoring visit

During a full inspection on 8 and 9 June 2026, Ofsted identified significant shortfalls in safeguarding practice and leadership and management at the home. As a result, 2 compliance notices were issued under Section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. These related to Regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). Ofsted also imposed a condition to vary the home’s conditions of registration and reduce the number of children that the home can provide care and accommodation for. The purpose of this visit was to review the progress and actions taken by the provider to meet the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from the home. There is now effective management oversight of the home. Since the last inspection, there have been significant changes in the management structure, with a new area manager, interim manager and deputy manager being appointed. Together, alongside the responsible individual, they have strengthened monitoring and review systems, providing improved scrutiny of staff practice. As a result, there is greater oversight of the quality of care provided to the child. Safeguarding practice has improved. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2774125 2 Leaders and managers carried out a review of safeguarding practice in the home, identifying and addressing lessons learned. They have also undertaken a detailed review of the child’s needs and risks. Comprehensive safety plans are now in place and provide staff with clear guidance to meet the child’s care and safety needs. The

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This monitoring visit

manager regularly reviews these plans to ensure that staff have the most up-to-date information when caring for the child.

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This monitoring visit

Staff understand the risks for the child and now take effective action during significant behavioural incidents. Records of these incidents are detailed and include the actions taken by staff to promote the safety and welfare of the child. Following any significant incidents, the manager provides an opportunity for staff to reflect on their practice and identify any lessons learned. Significant incidents are now consistently notified to the regulator.

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This monitoring visit

Staff respond proactively when the child is missing from home. Staff search for the child and work with external professionals to locate the child and ensure their safe return. Staff demonstrate professional curiosity about the child’s experiences of going missing and talk to the child about the potential risks. There has been one occasion of staff delay in beginning the search for the child after leaving the home. Leaders and managers have identified and addressed this shortfall in a timely manner.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have taken effective action to improve the safety of the home. Adaptations made to the environment help to minimise the likelihood of the child being able to access unsafe spaces at the home. This means that the child is increasingly safer.

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This monitoring visit

The child is developing their understanding of risk as well as the potential consequences of their actions and behaviour. Staff carry out direct work with the child to support this learning and understanding. Staff talk to the child when inappropriate comments are made to help them understand the possible legal implications of their proposed actions.

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This monitoring visit

Managers and staff are committed to improving the quality of care provided to the child. There is now a stable staff team in place, providing predictability, consistency and stability for the child. The manager has strengthened staff practice through additional training, reflective practice and structured workshops. Team meetings take place at an increased frequency and provide staff with opportunities to reflect on their strengths as well as areas of future focus and improvement. The manager tests staff’s safeguarding knowledge using scenario-based questions during one-to-one or group supervision sessions and team meetings.

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This monitoring visit

Following this visit, a case review took place on 28 July 2026 where it was determined that the compliance notices issued under Regulations 12 and 13 have been met. Previous requirements implemented under Regulations 35, 36 and 40 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2774125 3 were also found to be met. One requirement previously implemented under Regulation 8 (the education standard) was not reviewed during this visit and is therefore restated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2774125 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/06/2026 Full Inadequate 14/01/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/08/2025 Full Inadequate 21/01/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2774125 5

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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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally; and

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(v)(viii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person should ensure that there are clear informal education plans in place to promote children’s educational needs in the absence of formal education taking place. 23 August 2026

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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: 2774125 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northridge Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Richard House, 9 Winckley Square, Preston, Lancashire PR1 3HP

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Inspector

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2774125 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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