EMB-145 Captain reported an engine #2 bleed air leak on climb out. The flight was operating in conditions of known icing with the #1 pack deferred when cabin pressure became uncontrollable. An air turn back and precautionary landing were made at departure airport.

Narrative

Eng 2 Bleed leak on initial climb out of ZZZ. Complications was a deferred PACK 1 and Icing conditions. Indication occurred around 16;000 feet and I made the decision that a likely return to ZZZ would be executed along with a [request for priority handling] up through 18;000 feet. Headed towards ZZZ1 where layering existed so that the decent could be done so as to mitigate ice accumulation for approach. Cabin reached 10;200 feet only momentarily as decent was ongoing. Event occurred as per training with briefings and checklists after the QRH (Quick Reference Handbook) was completed. The FO (Fist Officer) and FA (Flight Attendant) had great CRM during the event. ATC coordination and timing for the maneuvers was ideal. Previous to this flight the lock out tag out was installed. I wrote up the lock out tag out installed for no apparent reason and then made another write up for lock out tag out being installed. Hopefully this was not for an actual item which was failed to have been written up by maintenance or previous crew- it was signed off and removed. I think the company needs to literally (after the Training Bulletin released in Comply today) address the QRH once and for all explicitly with the bleed leak; there seems to still be confusion out there after the 'Altitude; MEA OR 10;000 FT whichever is higher' then; some people will chose to end and some people will chose to continue the QRH with 'Associated Thrust Lever...etc'. This cannot wait.