Children's Home run by Helm Care Services Ltd in LancashireOfsted inspection, 16 Sept 2026

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2677619 1 Registered provider: Helm Care Services

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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 operated by a private provider. It offers care for up to 3 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The home registered with Ofsted in May 2022. The registered manager left the home in September 2025. A new manager has been in post since March 2026 and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children's home

There were 2 children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Since the previous inspection, the provider shared information with Ofsted that staff and children could not remain living in the home. This was due to the leasehold arrangements. The instability of these arrangements impacted on children's safety. Therefore, on 19 June 2026, Ofsted issued a notice to suspend the home's registration. On 6 July 2026, Ofsted lifted the suspension.

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2677619 2 The inspector looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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'. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2677619 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

One child moved out of the home after the home's registration was suspended. However, the provider continued to operate the home and care for another child despite this being an offence.

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Findings from the inspection

The situation regarding the arrangements in respect of the leasehold of the property impacted on children and staff due to uncertainty in respect of these arrangements. The provider is currently working to secure the stability of the lease arrangements.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, a child has moved into the home. The manager completed a thorough assessment to consider staff knowledge and skills to meet the child's needs. Staff have worked hard to help the child to settle in the home, including celebrating their most recent birthday, which had not been a positive experience at their previous placement.

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Findings from the inspection

Despite these concerns, children make progress. Monthly reports are produced for each child to summarise their time living in the home. This helps children to understand their journey.

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Findings from the inspection

Children develop strong relationships with staff, which helps them to feel secure. Staff have meaningful conversations with children and talk to children about their views.

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Findings from the inspection

The provider's clinical team helps staff to understand children's experiences. They provide bespoke training for staff. This helps to ensure that children's needs are well understood.

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Findings from the inspection

A child who was not attending education for some time is now attending school with support from staff. This is a significant milestone for the child, who is now able to make plans for their future.

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Findings from the inspection

A new recording system has been introduced. The manager is working to ensure that this system is effective. Children's records include information about children's experiences and staff actions. Risk assessments are up to date, with clear strategies for staff to follow.

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Findings from the inspection

Debriefs with staff after incidents are reflective, with a focus on wellbeing. There are gaps in how managers explore incidents with staff to consider and reflect on their practice. Debriefs with children use their words to explain their views and feelings. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2677619 4 Where incidents have impacted on the local community, there has been a lack of follow-up by managers to discuss any concerns with those involved. This would support reparation and understanding.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager completes detailed reviews of incidents, identifying areas of positive practice and follow-up actions. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2677619 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/04/2026 Full Good 06/08/2024 Full Good 14/06/2023 Full Good 12/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2677619 6

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 31 October 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should oversee the welfare of children by ensuring that debriefs conducted with staff following incidents follows a structure that supports a review of their practice so that lessons learned can be implemented and good practice sustained. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 55, paragraph 10.24)  The registered person should ensure that the expectations of standards of behaviour towards others in the local community are high for all staff and children in the home. Children should be supported to develop understanding and empathy towards others. Positive behaviour and relationships should be reinforced, praised and encouraged. Poor behaviour should be challenged and Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2677619 7 discussed. Where there have been incidents involving others living in the community, the registered person should work with them to address any

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Recommendations

concerns. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 39, paragraph 8.11) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2677619 8

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Suite 103, Group First House, 12A Meadway, Padiham, Lancashire BB12 7NG

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Inspector

Andrea Foreman, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2677619 9 regulates 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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