Children's Home run by Choices 4 Children Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report children’s home: SC400880 1 SC400880 Registered provider: Choices 4 Children 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

The home is owned and operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to 6 children with social and emotional difficulties and/or special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were 5 children living at the home. All of the children spent time with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2025.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC400880 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/01/2025 Full Inadequate 14/11/2023 Full Good 22/02/2023 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC400880 3

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Summary of findings

Children have lived at the home for several years and benefit from trusting relationships with staff who are committed, nurturing and child centred. Staff know children exceptionally well and have a strong understanding of their individual needs and vulnerabilities. As a result, children have made significant progress and receive effective support to meet their health and educational needs. They also maintain important relationships with family and others who matter to them.

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Summary of findings

The new management team has driven positive improvements in the home. However, the manager must ensure that all staff complete Makaton training to meet children's communication needs consistently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from long-term stability and a strong sense of belonging because they have lived together at the home for several years and enjoy spending time with one another. As a result, children are settled, safe, and confident in their environment. Staff know the children exceptionally well and have a detailed understanding of each child’s individual needs. They consistently provide child-centred care and speak enthusiastically about the progress children make.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are central to daily practice. Staff understand each child’s communication needs and actively seek, consider and respond to their wishes and feelings. Through the use of Makaton, Picture Exchange Communication System, objects of reference, and social stories, staff enable children to participate meaningfully in day- to-day decision making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive effective support to manage their complex health needs. Staff work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure that children receive appropriate care and support. They help children to understand and manage their lifelong health conditions through regular discussions and guidance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of meaningful experiences both at home and in the community. Staff actively encourage children to take part in activities that reflect their interests and preferences, helping them to build confidence, develop skills and strengthen relationships. Recent holidays to a caravan and lodge have broadened children’s experiences, provided positive opportunities for enjoyment and achievement, and contributed to their growing confidence and independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have built trusting relationships with staff, which helps children to flourish. Staff sensitively support children to develop essential life skills, including personal hygiene, meal preparation and daily living tasks. One child has successfully completed a work Inspection report children’s home: SC400880 4 experience at a local supermarket. These opportunities help children develop independence in line with their individual needs and abilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work closely with the children’s schools, sharing their knowledge and experience of the children to promote continuity of care and support. Daily communication ensures that information is shared effectively. The manager advocates for children and challenges professionals when education plans do not meet children’s needs or best interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with their families. The manager recognises the importance of these relationships and has built close working relationships with families to ensure that children enjoy regular family time. Staff regularly inform parents of their child’s achievements and the progress they are making. This supports parents to feel fully involved in their child’s daily life. One professional said, ‘Staff have developed strong relationships with [child’s name] extended family, which is highly beneficial in supporting their sense of identity and family connections.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is child friendly, bright and welcoming. There are pictures of the children displayed around the home and there are age-appropriate toys and sensory equipment. Staff have supported each child to personalise their bedrooms in themes that meet their interests.

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

Children are kept safe through the high level of supervision and support provided by staff, which is tailored to their individual needs. Staff have a good understanding of each child’s vulnerabilities and the strategies required to promote their safety and well-being. Safeguarding is a priority within the home and is consistently embedded in day-to-day practice.

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

Children receive prompt support when they experience worry, anxiety, or distress. Staff know the children exceptionally well and recognise the subtle changes in presentation that may indicate a child is unhappy or concerned. They respond quickly, communicating effectively with children, to understand and address any concerns before issues escalate.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the children’s risk and vulnerabilities. Detailed risk assessments provide comprehensive guidance and clear strategies for staff to follow. There have been no incidents of children going missing from home.

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

Children benefit from calm, nurturing care that helps them to feel secure and understood. Staff recognise that behaviour is often a form of communication and have a good understanding of the emotional needs that underpin children’s behaviour. Staff use calming strategies identified in the children’s care plans to help and support them to regulate and return to their usual relaxed emotional state. One professional said, ` [child’s name] benefits from clear boundaries and a consistent routine, which helps them feel secure and enables them to make positive progress.’ Inspection report children’s home: SC400880 5 When physical intervention is used, it is necessary and proportionate to keep children and others safe. Records are clear and detailed, enabling managers to maintain effective oversight of each incident. The manager ensures that children and staff are spoken to following incidents to identify learning and reduce the likelihood of similar incidents

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

All staff have completed training in the safe administration of medication. Following a medication error, the manager responded swiftly to protect the child's welfare. She introduced additional safeguards to strengthen medication procedures and reduce the risk of a similar incident occurring again.

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

When an allegation was raised against a staff member, the manager took appropriate action to keep the child safe. The staff involved were removed from their duties while the allegation was investigated, and the manager informed all relevant safeguarding agencies. She also made appropriate referrals to prevent unsuitable adults from working with children in the future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is dedicated, inspirational, child centred and has a good understanding of the children’s individual needs. She is ambitious for the children and is committed to helping them achieve positive outcomes. The manager has recently completed her leadership and management qualification. She is supported by a capable deputy manager, who shares her aspirations and commitment to improving children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team has developed more robust monitoring and review systems, providing clear oversight of the day-to-day practice in the home. The manager has completed a quality-of-care review, which has helped her to identify the strengths and areas for further development. This supports continuous improvement in the quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children benefit from a stable and committed staff team that understands and promotes the home’s aims and ethos. The management team provides staff with effective guidance, support and encouragement, creating a positive and reflective culture. Staff receive regular supervision that encourages professional development and reflective practice. Staff said that they feel well supported by the management team. One staff member said, ` The management team go above and beyond in every aspect of their roles. Their dedication, commitment and passion for the children and the staff team are clear in everything they do.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is supportive in the development of the staff team. There is a comprehensive training programme in place which includes specific training to meet the children’s needs. Staff said they valued this training. However, the manager has not ensured that all staff have completed Makaton training. As a result, not all staff possess the full range of communication skills necessary to consistently meet the children’s individual communication needs. Inspection report children’s home: SC400880 6 Team meetings take place regularly. These meetings provide staff with opportunities to share information, experiences and knowledge. The manager also uses these meetings to challenge and develop staff's knowledge through the use of scenarios. This promotes consistency in practice and supports positive outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is committed to ensuring that children’s needs continue to be met as they move into adulthood. She works proactively with partner agencies to ensure that effective plans are in place. Staff play an active role in supporting children through these important transitions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff understand the aims and objectives set out in the homes statement of purpose. The manager ensures that this is kept updated when there have been staff changes. However, this has not been shared with the regulator which prevents them having the most current information about the operation of the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC400880 7

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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 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;

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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

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Requirement Due date

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

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)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff have received training on the use of Makaton, so they have the required knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the children. 3 November 2026

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Requirement Due date

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. 3 November 2026 Inspection report children’s home: SC400880 8 The registered person must—

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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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the homes statement of purpose is sent to Ofsted when it has been updated and changes in staffing occur.

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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 children’s home: SC400880 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Choices 4 Children Limited

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Inspector

Simon Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC400880 10 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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