Children's Home run by Brinscall Care (NW) Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home: 2808009 1 Registered provider: Brinscall Care (NW) 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 up to 4 children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties and/or learning difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The home was registered with Ofsted in December 2024.

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Information about this children's home

There were 4 children living in the home at the time of the inspection. Three children spoke to the inspector, and another child left a voice message after being prepared through a social story by staff.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2808009 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2808009 3

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Summary of findings

Children make good progress because they receive consistent, nurturing care from staff who know them well. Daily life is structured and focused on building children's confidence, emotional regulation and independence.

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Summary of findings

The manager leads the home effectively and maintains high aspirations for each child. Staff benefit from strong support, reflective supervision and educational team meetings that strengthen practice.

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Summary of findings

Children are kept safe through clear routines, detailed risk assessments and calm, consistent responses from staff. Incidents are rare and managed proportionately.

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Summary of findings

The manager should strengthen his oversight when review minutes are missing and update the workforce development plan to ensure it meets the quality standards.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Moves into and out of the home are managed thoughtfully and sensitively, particularly in relation to one child's transition out. Staff supported this well and enabled the child to settle in a new home with a sibling. One child has been prepared very well to move into semi-independence. The manager has liaised well with the local authority social worker to continue the relationships they have made through the 'lifelong links' initiative.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience nurturing care that reflects their individual needs. Daily life is structured, which helps children to build confidence. Staff use creative approaches to keep children informed about life in the home and celebrate their achievements. Small touches, such as daily books capturing positive moments, help children to feel valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children living outside their home area are well supported through staff and the manager being in consistent liaison with placing authorities. This ensures continuity of care and access to specialist services, including maintaining school placements at a distance. One child has been able to secure an apprenticeship with a local nursery and staff have supported them well to maintain this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's health needs are monitored closely by staff. Children are supported and helped to manage particular health issues though delicate conversations and social stories. Children are all registered with local health providers and staff support children well and encourage their increasing independence in managing health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Conversations with children is purposeful and aligned to what is important to them. Key- work and 'hot topic' sessions are frequent and help children to understand expectations, manage feelings, build independence and express their views confidently. Inspection report for children's home: 2808009 4 Relationships with parents, carers and professionals are positive. Families describe the home as meeting children's needs well and social workers highlight strong communication and partnership working.

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

Children experience consistent, well ‑ informed care that helps them to feel safe and supported. Staff understand each child's risks and presentations clearly. They respond with calm, predictable approaches that reduce anxieties and support children's emotions. This helps children to trust staff and share their worries openly.

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

Risk assessments and behaviour support plans are detailed and regularly reviewed. They reflect children's known vulnerabilities and provide staff with clear guidance. As a result, staff anticipate children's triggers effectively and intervene early, which prevent situations from escalating.

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

Incidents are infrequent and managed proportionately. Staff and child debriefs take place promptly and are used to reinforce learning and strengthen relationships. This supports children to make safer choices and understand the impact of their behaviour.

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

Managers work closely with schools and social workers to ensure coordinated responses to behaviour management. The staff at the home assisted a school to understand one child's dysregulation better, which promoted their welfare and ensured that risks were addressed swiftly and without resorting to physically holding the child.

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

Children benefit from clear boundaries, restorative conversations and incentive systems that encourage positive behaviour. Staff know the children well and tailor support sensitively to their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is visible, child centred and knows each child exceptionally well. He advocates firmly for their needs and ensures that practice remains focused on their safety, progress and emotional wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the support they receive. The team is stable, cohesive and confident, drawing on varied experience that is used effectively under the manager's oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision is regular and reflective. It provides protected time for staff to explore children's progress, consider practice and identify learning needs. Appraisals and probation reviews are well tracked, offering a clear overview of staff development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are purposeful and structured. Safeguarding quizzes, therapeutic input and reflective discussions strengthen staff's understanding of children's needs, risks and communication styles. Inspection report for children's home: 2808009 5 The manager has a system for monitoring children's progress. However, minutes from one review were not escalated sufficiently. In addition, the workforce development plan is out of date and does not specify how to address poor performance. These shortfalls limit oversight and clarity in staff expectations. Inspection report for children's home: 2808009 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a workforce plan that can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs19 and 20). This should detail the correct staffing in the home and also be explicit about performance management of staff. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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Recommendations

 Registered persons have a key role in seeking to develop the home's effective working relationships with each child's placing authority and with other relevant persons. The manager should be able to challenge and escalate when legal documents, such as review minutes, are missing. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 52, paragraph 10.4)

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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: 2808009 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Brinscall Care (NW) Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Peel House, 30 The Downs, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 2PX

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Inspector

Colin Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2808009 8 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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