Children's Home run by Waters Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2868677 1 Registered provider: Waters Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It offers care for 1 child who may experience emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home, they did not speak to the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in February 2026.

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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: 2868677 2

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Summary of findings

Staff have built positive and trusting relationships with the chid despite a difficult and emotional move into the home. The child is having a positive experience and enjoys spending time with staff, they are being supported to gain the skills they need to successfully move on to independence.

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Summary of findings

Staff demonstrate a clear and consistent understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Safeguarding practice in the home is strong, with staff responding appropriately and effectively to concerns. Although there have been a number of significant incidents within the home, these have been managed well with a proactive and robust safeguarding response.

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Summary of findings

There is good multi-agency working with relevant professionals. Feedback from involved professionals highlights excellent standards of care and communication. The manager is child focused and demonstrates a clear commitment to providing a high standard of care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Prior to moving into the home, the child was not accessing any form of education. Staff worked proactively to secure a bespoke education package that met the child’s individual needs. As a result, the child now attends school every day and is making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to spend meaningful time with their family. This support has helped repair family relationships and supported the child to enjoy positive time with the people who matter to them. This includes overnight stays with family which is in line with the child’s wishes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is registered with appropriate health services and staff ensure that they attend all relevant health appointments. Staff actively advocate for the child by seeking input from health professionals and identifying outstanding assessments and unmet health needs that need to be addressed. Staff have completed specialist training in global developmental delay, equipping them with the knowledge and insight necessary to provide effective and appropriate support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys positive activities and pursuits such as playing golf and pool and going to the gym. These opportunities have improved the child’s emotional wellbeing and given them a sense of belonging. The child now has a part time job due to the help and support from staff. This achievement has increased the child’s confidence and provided them with valuable experience of earning and managing their own money. Inspection report for children’s home: 2868677 3 Staff provide the child with a positive and nurturing home environment. They ensure that the child has everything that they need and support them to personalise their bedroom, furnishing and decorating it in line with their preferences. Staff capture the child’s views in consultations and work collaboratively with other agencies by gathering the child’s views for statutory meetings. This ensures that the child’s wishes and feelings are known and acted upon.

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

Staff focus on building trusting and positive relationships with the child, providing consistency, respect and nurturing care. They demonstrate a strong understanding of the child’s history, experiences, and behavioural responses, enabling them to respond effectively to their individual needs. When incidents occur, staff manage them appropriately ensuring that the child’s safety and well-being is always paramount. Staff regularly engage the child in discussions about risks they may encounter in the community, including the dangers associated with alcohol and substance misuse.

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

Safeguarding practice is strong. Staff work proactively to reduce incidents by adapting their approaches to meet the child’s needs and by recognising and responding to known triggers. Episodes of the child going missing from home are managed appropriately, with strong multi-agency collaboration to ensure the child’s safe return. Following each incident, staff undertake reflective discussions with the child to gain a better understanding of any factors influencing their behaviour, helping to reduce the likelihood of future missing episodes and strengthen risk management strategies

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

The staff team has been changed in line with the child’s past experiences and reactions to female staff. There has been a planned and gradual approach to reintroduced one female member of staff which has been managed effectively. Although staff recognise that risks they are a confident and committed team who know the child well and have developed relationships with the child built on trust and understanding.

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

Staff use effective de-escalation techniques to support the child when they are struggling to regulate their emotions. This has helped to reduce the number of incidents for the child. However, there has been two incidents where physical intervention has been necessary. The child was spoken to following the incidents and staff were provided with a debrief, meaning there was the opportunity for learning and reflection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is aspirational and remains committed to providing the child with the highest standard of care. They lead with positivity and enthusiasm, creating a culture in which staff share his aspirations. Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of the child’s needs and how best to meet them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager develops strong relationships with agencies and ensures that the staff team have the relevant knowledge and skills to meet the child’s needs. A social worker reported that they felt the success of the child’s placement at the home is because of Inspection report for children’s home: 2868677 4 staff’s understanding of the child’s needs, trauma informed practice and positive and trusting relationships with the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff complete a wide range of relevant training to meet the individual needs of the child. The manager ensures that the staff team are provided with additional training, specific to the child’s individual needs. Staff have completed training in global developmental delay and substance misuse. This has strengthened the staff team’s knowledge, confidence and ability to respond appropriately to the child’s behaviours and individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff team speak respectfully about the child in their care, they have an understanding of the child’s past traumas and experiences and maintain empathy and care despite some significant incidents. Staff demonstrate the necessary skills to adapt their approach to ensure that they meet the child’s emerging needs and behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team have shown commitment and resilience during the recent challenges at the home. Leaders and managers place a strong emphasis on staff well-being. Staff are open and reflective to learning and developing their skills and are provided with regular opportunities to discuss their practice and reflect on their care of the child during team meetings. Inspection report for children’s home: 2868677 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: 2868677 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 414-416 Blackpool Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2 2DX

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Inspector

Rebecca Robson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2868677 7 and inspects 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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