Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)
Children's Home run by Prosperity Children’s Services Limited in Lancashire
Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Group AI-checked
Prosperity Children's services
- Inspection date verified
10 Sept 2026
- Inspectors verified
Cheryl Field
- Helped and protected verified
Requires improvement to be good
- Leadership and management verified
Requires improvement to be good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Requires improvement to be good
- Name on report verified
2812359
- URN verified
2812359
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
mixedThe children's home requires improvement to be good; no serious or widespread failures, but allegation handling was poor.
Inspectors found the home is not yet delivering good help and care, but there are no serious or widespread failures affecting welfare. Staff provide nurturing care, the child has made progress in communication and independence, and the manager provides positive leadership. However, safe allegation management procedures were not followed, oversight of some records and school placement searches was weak, and the child's health passport lacked key information.
Going well
- Staff provide nurturing care and understand the child's complex and sensory needs
- The child has made progress with communication, independence and emotional regulation
- Professionals work together collaboratively to advocate for the child
- Staff are supervised regularly and most hold the relevant qualification
To improve
- Follow safe allegation management procedures and notify relevant professionals promptly
- Improve senior oversight of safety procedures and out-of-date care plan records
- Escalate the search for a new school placement with the virtual school
- Ensure the child's health passport includes key information about patterns of behaviour and injuries
What parents should know
- Your child is likely to receive nurturing care and be supported to build communication and independence skills
- Ask how the home has responded to the recent allegation concerns and what has changed since
- Ask what progress is being made in finding a suitable school placement for your child
- Ask how family contact is supported and how your views on your child's care are gathered
What other providers can learn
- Keep care plans and statutory review minutes up to date so staff have current information about each child
- Ensure allegations are shared promptly with the responsible individual and the child's social worker
- Make sure health passports capture behaviour patterns and self-injury so external health staff can respond safely
Summary written by AI (claude-haiku-5-5) from the report text. It can miss nuance: the report itself is the record.
Grade profile
Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2025.
- OverallRI to be good
- Helped and protectedRI to be good
- Leadership and managementRI to be good
13% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Requires improvement to be good (12,870 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Requires improvement to be good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted. p.1
- The manager provides effective leadership, and staff respond positively to their direction and support. p.3
- Professionals report positively about the nurturing approach that the staff team has with the child. p.3
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- Senior leaders' management of an allegation concerning a senior member of staff was ineffective. p.5
- This has placed the child at potential risk of harm. p.4
- Senior managers did not follow safe allegation management procedures and communication between those responsible for managing the allegation was ineffective. p.3
- Senior leaders have not implemented effective oversight of some of the procedures and practices that concern the safety of children. p.3
- The response to the allegation lacked coordination, and communication between senior managers was poor, resulting in uncertainty about whether the staff should remain in post during the investigation. p.5
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- Specifically, senior managers must ensure that safe allegation management processes are followed. p.6
- This includes taking prompt action to keep children safe and to ensure that the relevant professionals have been notified. 23 October 2026 p.6
- Lessons learned must be implemented to ensure that improvements are made to how allegations are managed in future. p.7
- The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— p.7
- The registered person should ensure that where the placing authority does not provide the input and services needed to meet a child's needs during their time in the home or in preparation for leaving the home, the home must challenge them to meet the child's needs (see regulations 5(c)). p.7
- Specifically, the manager should escalate their requests with the local authority for care planning records. p.7
- The registered person should ensure that where children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or are not on a school roll for some other reason, the registered person and staff must work closely with the placing authority so that the child is supported and enabled to resume full-time education as soon as possible. p.7
- In the interim, the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable, structured activities. p.7
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Teaching & assessment3
“Risk assessments reflect progress and reduced levels of risk.” p.3
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 10
- Words of findings
- 1,932
- about usual (typical 1916)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 48, typical 50
- Average sentence
- 17 words
- Next steps
- 8
- typical 8
- Hedged sentences
- 5%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Inspection report for children's home: 2812359 1 Registered provider: Prosperity Children's services
p.1
Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework
p.1
Information about this children's home
This home is operated by a private company and is registered to care for up to 2 children with learning disabilities.
p.1
Information about this children's home
The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024. He is appropriately experienced and qualified. He also manages another setting within the company.
p.1
Information about this children's home
There was one child living in the home at the time of the inspection. The inspector spent time with the child.
p.1
Overall experiences and progress of
children and young people, taking into account
p.1
requires improvement to be good
How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good
p.1
requires improvement to be good
The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good
p.1
requires improvement to be good
The children's home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.
p.1
requires improvement to be good
Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good
p.1
requires improvement to be good
Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2812359 2
p.1
Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement
17/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2812359 3
p.2
Summary of findings
Senior managers did not follow safe allegation management procedures and communication between those responsible for managing the allegation was ineffective. Despite these concerns, the child has made positive progress. Staff provide nurturing care and demonstrate a good understanding of the child's needs. Risk assessments reflect progress and reduced levels of risk.
p.3
Summary of findings
Professionals work collaboratively to advocate for the child and promote positive outcomes. The manager provides effective leadership, and staff respond positively to their direction and support.
p.3
improvement to be good
Senior leaders have not implemented effective oversight of some of the procedures and practices that concern the safety of children. This has affected the quality of care provided to the child living in the home. Some placing authority plans, such as the care plan and statutory review meeting minutes, are out of date on the child's files. This means that staff do not have up-to-date information about the child's care needs. The manager has not escalated requests for these records with the relevant people.
p.3
improvement to be good
The staff team is invested in the child. Professionals report positively about the nurturing approach that the staff team has with the child. They say that staff are curious in their work and ask questions about how they can do things better to support the child. This is also helping the staff team to develop their relationships with the child.
p.3
improvement to be good
The child has made progress with their communication skills, spending more time with staff and developing their independence and self-care skills. There has also been an improvement in the child's ability to recognise and regulate their emotions more effectively. This is because the staff team understands the child's complex and sensory needs.
p.3
improvement to be good
The child's school is no longer able to meet their complex needs. The staff team has supported the child at home with activities to promote their independence skills and to help them to co-regulate. However, the manager has not taken sufficient action to escalate the search for a new school placement with the virtual school. Further work is required to support the child back into school.
p.3
improvement to be good
The staff team works closely with a range of health professionals and specialists to ensure that the child's health needs are met. An in-house therapist works closely with the staff team to ensure that the child is provided with clear routines and boundaries, taken at their pace and development. However, the child's health passport does not include key information about the child's patterns of behaviour, including injuries they Inspection report for children's home: 2812359 4 can cause to themselves. This means that external health professionals do not have the relevant information to be able to support the child effectively should they be taken to hospital for medical treatment. The manager took prompt action to update the records during this visit.
p.3
improvement to be good
The child's views, wishes and feelings are captured in key-work sessions. Pictures, visualisation boards, social stories and videos are used to help the child to understand social situations and communicate their needs. Staff are patient and carry these out when they recognise that the child is ready to engage with them positively.
p.4
improvement to be good
The staff team supports parents to remain involved in their child's care. Family time has been adapted to make it more comfortable for the child and their parents at the home. The staff team promotes the child's family culture through meals and activities. Staff have been creative in engaging the child in activities both inside and out of the home.
p.4
improvement to be good
Safe allegation management processes have not been followed. There has been a delay in senior managers sharing an allegation with the responsible individual of this home. Senior members of the team associated with the allegations have continued to work in the home while senior managers explored the concerns. In addition, the child's social worker was not notified of the concerns that were raised in relation to the child. This has placed the child at potential risk of harm.
p.4
improvement to be good
The child demonstrates increasing feelings of safety and security within the home. Some risk assessments evidence progress and a reduction in identified risks. A range of professionals work together to advocate for the child and ensure that their views are heard. The child's behaviour support plan incorporates their views and identifies strategies that help when they are distressed or exposed to risk. Staff implement these strategies effectively to support the child and promote their wellbeing.
p.4
improvement to be good
Physical restraint is used as a last resort. Staff use agreed strategies and redirection to minimise the child's harm to themselves. The staff team recognises when the child's behaviour becomes harmful and when additional support is required. They understand the child's sensory needs and have effective ways of communicating with the child to help them to keep safe.
p.4
improvement to be good
Self-injurious behaviours and accidents are managed appropriately by staff. A clear head injury protocol is in place, which staff understand and implement effectively. Daily body checks are undertaken to monitor and record any injuries. Staff demonstrate a sound understanding of the procedures for managing unexplained injuries and take appropriate action to safeguard the child.
p.4
improvement to be good
The home is adapted to ensure that the child is kept safe. Additional equipment, such as a non-recording baby monitor used at night, a safety helmet, safety gloves and a harness for the car are all risk assessed for their suitability. Theses safety measures have Inspection report for children's home: 2812359 5 been agreed by a range of professionals, including occupational therapists, a learning disability nurse and the placing authority.
p.4
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good
Senior leaders' management of an allegation concerning a senior member of staff was ineffective. The response to the allegation lacked coordination, and communication between senior managers was poor, resulting in uncertainty about whether the staff should remain in post during the investigation. The allegation was not notified to Ofsted. Although a referral was made to the local authority designated officer, it did not fully reflect all concerns raised. Senior leaders have identified the need to review the handling of this matter to ensure that lessons are learned and future practice is strengthened.
p.5
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good
Despite these shortfalls, the manager is enthusiastic and has plans to improve the quality of care. He is a positive role model for the staff team and uses reflective practice to consider and review the child's plans and to improve their experiences of living in the home. The staff team is responsive to this approach and are receptive to improving their practice.
p.5
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good
There is a consistent team of professionals for the child who work alongside the manager and the staff team. Communication is positive, with regular multi-disciplinary team meetings taking place to review the child's progress.
p.5
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good
There is a full and stable staff team in place. Most of the staff have obtained the relevant qualification and 2 staff are working towards the qualification within suitable timescales. Staff say that they are supported by the management team. Staff are supervised regularly and have their probationary periods reviewed to ensure that they are suitable for the role.
p.5
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good
Staff have access to a range of training to support children with complex needs. Team meetings are used effectively to share information and reflect on practice to support the progress of the child. A variety of professionals attend the meetings to discuss the child's progress, such as the in-house therapist. Inspection report for children's home: 2812359 6
p.5
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.
p.6
Requirement Due date
The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.
p.6
Requirement Due date
In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—
p.6
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;
p.6
Requirement Due date
that the effectiveness of the home's child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b)(e))
p.6
Requirement Due date
Specifically, senior managers must ensure that safe allegation management processes are followed. This includes taking prompt action to keep children safe and to ensure that the relevant professionals have been notified. 23 October 2026
p.6
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—
p.6
Requirement Due date
helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and
p.6
Requirement Due date
In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—
p.6
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;
p.6
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)(h)) 23 October 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2812359 7 Specifically, senior leaders must ensure that the management of allegations is organised and clear and the communication between senior managers is effective to safely manage the concerns.
p.6
Requirement Due date
Lessons learned must be implemented to ensure that improvements are made to how allegations are managed in future.
p.7
Requirement Due date
The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—
p.7
Requirement Due date
there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 23 October 2026
p.7
Recommendations
The registered person should ensure that where the placing authority does not provide the input and services needed to meet a child's needs during their time in the home or in preparation for leaving the home, the home must challenge them to meet the child's needs (see regulations 5(c)). Specifically, the manager should escalate their requests with the local authority for care planning records. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 12, paragraph 2.8)
p.7
Recommendations
The registered person should ensure that where children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or are not on a school roll for some other reason, the registered person and staff must work closely with the placing authority so that the child is supported and enabled to resume full-time education as soon as possible. In the interim, the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable, structured activities. Specifically, the manager should escalate the search for a new school placement with the virtual school, so that a provision is secured to support the child back into school and a routine within minimal timescales. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 28, paragraph 5.15)
p.7
Recommendations
The registered person should ensure that each child's day-to-day health and wellbeing needs are met. Specifically, children's health records, such as health passports, should include the most up-to-date and relevant information. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 33, paragraph 7.3) Inspection report for children's home: 2812359 8
p.7
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: 2812359 9
p.8
Children's home details
Registered provider: Prosperity Childrens services
p.9
Children's home details
Registered provider address: Prosperity Childrens Services Ltd, unit8, Venus House Altham Business Park, Altham, Accrington BB5 5BY
p.9
Inspector
Cheryl Field, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2812359 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 children who are looked after, safeguarding and child protection.
p.9
Inspector
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p.10
Inspector
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Inspector
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