Children's Home run by Therapeutic Care Northwest Limited in Wigan

Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 1 Registered provider: Therapeutic Care North West Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in January 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, no children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

A manager has been appointed, and he had applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual. Following checks on their suitability, Ofsted determined that they do not have 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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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children have not been protected and their welfare has not promoted or safeguarded, and the care and experiences of children are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 2

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Summary of findings

Significant shortfalls in safeguarding practice as well as in the leadership and management of the home have been identified. These failings have impacted the children’s progress and compromised the home’s ability to safeguard children effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Since the home was registered, one child has moved in and subsequently moved out after a short period of time. Staff did not know how to respond appropriately to the child’s presenting behaviours. Consequently, the child’s lived experiences, progress and safety were negatively affected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Care planning in the home is poor. One child moved into the home without full consideration of whether their needs could be met by a new and inexperienced staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child was registered with health services, and a referral was made to an external professional. However, as the child lived in the home for only a short period of time, they were not able to access this support. The child’s health needs were not clearly understood, and staff did not ensure the child was provided with healthy, nutritious meals on a regular basis.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Plans were being put in place to support the child with their education, as the child moved in during the school holidays. They were supported to participate in activities both inside and outside of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child was supported to spend time with their family and friends. This helped the child to maintain important relationships and strengthen their sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The home is warm and welcoming and there are no health and safety concerns. However, the manager did not obtain agreement from the child’s social worker for door alarms to be used in the home.

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

Shortfalls in safeguarding practices and poor decision-making by managers led to one child being placed at risk of significant harm.

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

Staff did not contact a health professional when there were serious concerns that the child was under the influence of a substance. Staff also failed to undertake room searches when there were concerns. On one occasion, staff and the manager supported Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 3 the child to locate electronic cigarette liquid, despite the known risks of the child using liquid containing illegal substances. This significantly compromised the child’s safety.

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

Care planning has not been robust. The manager did not ensure that all relevant documentation for the child was obtained. Furthermore, internal plans for the child’s care were implemented only after they had moved out of the home. This does not demonstrate that staff were providing care in line with local authority plans.

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

Management of allegations is poor. The manager did not share full or accurate concerns with the local authority designated officer when the child made allegations against staff on two occasions. This does not ensure that concerns were fully explored or that the child was effectively safeguarded.

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

Staff did not take appropriate action to safeguard the child when they went missing from home. Poor decision-making by staff regarding the child spending time in the community resulted in the child going missing. Staff responses were inadequate because they had not been provided with the guidance and strategies needed to take appropriate action when the child was missing. As a result, there was an over-reliance on police intervention to locate the child.

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

Risk assessments were of poor quality and did not provide staff with the clear advice and guidance needed to manage the child’s risks or keep them safe. Incident records lacked detail and managerial oversight, and they did not identify reflection or learning for the team.

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

Staff did not support the child to understand the risks associated with the use of electronic cigarettes, including those containing illegal substances. As a result, the child continued to use these both in and out of the home.

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

Safer recruitment practices have not been followed to ensure that only adults who are safe to work with children are employed in the home. This compromises children’s safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There have been changes in the management of the home since it was registered. A new manager has been appointed, and the proposed responsible individual has been deemed unsuitable by Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have failed to maintain effective oversight of the home. There is a lack of reflection by the manager following incidents, which means that shortfalls in staff practice are not always identified or addressed. Additionally, there is a lack of professional curiosity from both the manager and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff have undertaken mandatory training. However, staff reported that they did not feel confident caring for the child, and there has been a high turnover of staff. The manager has not ensured that the training provided has been effective. Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 4 Staff, including the manager, have been receiving reflective supervision, and team meetings have been taking place. This has provided staff with the opportunity to discuss the progress of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager has supported the team to foster good working relationships with external professionals and the child’s family.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Following this inspection, a case review was held, and the decision was made to issue compliance notices under Regulation 12, the protection of children standard; Regulation 13, the leadership and management standard; and Regulation 14, the care planning standard. Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 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 within 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

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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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

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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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; and

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must— 12 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 6 ensure that staff understand each child’s individual risks and vulnerabilities and know what action to take to reduce these;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that plans are in place to provide clear guidance and strategies for staff to follow;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that all information in respect of allegations against staff is shared with safeguarding professionals;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff complete regular work with children to help them to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff take action to safeguard children at all times.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

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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ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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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; and

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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)(b)(c)(e)(f)(h)) 12 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 7 Specifically, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that systems are in place to monitor the quality of care in the home;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that shortfalls in staff practice are identified and action is taken to address these;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that there are safe and effective management arrangements in place;

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Requirement Due date

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

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ensure that managers and staff are professionally curious with children.

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*The care planning standard is that children—

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receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the skills, knowledge and understanding to meet all of the needs of children living in the home;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that systems are in place to assess children’s risks and needs prior to them moving into the home. 12 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met; 28 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 8 children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead a healthy lifestyle.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the way child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well-being (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2) (a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure children’s health needs are understood and that support is in place to ensure children have opportunities to be educated on the risks of electronic cigarettes and harmful substances and eat a well- balanced diet.

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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;

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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;

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full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. 28 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 9 (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(a)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure safer recruitment processes are in place.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)) 28 August 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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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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understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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treat each child with dignity and respect;

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provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult; 28 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 10 provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably; and

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Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that any care that is arranged or provided for a child that—

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Requirement Due date

satisfies the conditions in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

that the care is approved, and kept under review throughout its duration, by the placing authority;

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that the care is delivered by a person who—

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has the experience, knowledge and skills to deliver that care; and

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is under the supervision of a person who is appropriately skilled and qualified to supervise that care. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(ix)(d)(3)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure children have internal care plans and children are actively involved in their care planning.

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2833484 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Therapeutic Care North West Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 39 Bee Fold Lane, Atherton, Manchester M46 0BL

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Inspector

Michelle Snape, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2833484 12 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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