Children's Home run by Alicie Enterprises Limited in Ealing

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793659 1 Registered provider: Alicie Enterprises Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to five girls with social and/or emotional difficulties. The registered manager post is currently vacant. The home’s manager has submitted an application to Ofsted for the role of registered manager.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Three children were living at the home at the time of the inspection, and the inspector spoke with all three children.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 5 November 2024

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: 2793659 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have addressed concerns raised at the last inspection. Four of the five requirements and one recommendation have been met.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home. This was managed in a planned way. Another child has moved in. Managers conducted an impact risk assessment to inform their decision for the new child to move in. However, it later became clear that the child required a more specialist provision. Consequently, managers made the decision that in the best interests of all the children living in the home, they needed to serve notice on the child’s placement.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders have made improvements since the last inspection. The quality of record- keeping has improved, and staff have received specialised training. The members of the staff team now take part in weekly consultations with a therapist, which has helped deepen their understanding of children’s behaviour.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff are well equipped to understand and address children’s risks. They diligently follow the missing-from-care procedures and request return home interviews. While incidents are safely managed, the manager’s oversight is not always consistent.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have secure relationships with staff, engaging in key-work sessions that focus on their support and allow them to talk openly. They feel comfortable and safe in their home environment.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders protect children by notifying external professionals when there is a risk of harm. However, they do not consistently challenge other professionals during strategy meetings in order to ensure that safe arrangements for family time are put in place.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children’s views are considered. Children participate in regular house meetings and have completed a survey on their views of life in the home. For example, from listening to children’s views, there is now a ‘takeaway Friday.’

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders respond swiftly to complaints and ensure that these are thoroughly investigated.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff receive regular supervision sessions and feel well supported. They have opportunities to attend a range of training to develop their knowledge and skills. However, not all staff have received training on some of the main risks for children living in the home. For example, not all staff have received training in understanding risks of sexual exploitation, children going missing-from-care episodes and substance misuse. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793659 3 Staff carry out individual sessions with children to cover various safety topics, including discussions on distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy relationships. However, this practice is not consistently implemented, and essential follow-up actions after incidents are sometimes missed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793659 4

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/11/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793659 5

p.4

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.5

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.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications, and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.5

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. (Regulation 13 (2)(c)(f)

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff have received training in child sexual exploitation, children going missing-from-care episodes and substance misuse, and maintain oversight of all incidents, including physical interventions, and use this information to develop the quality of children’s care.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 18 April 2025

p.5

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

p.5

Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each 28 March 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793659 6 child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

p.5

Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (c)(d)

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff promote the need for children to have safe arrangements for family time and provide prompt and effective communication with stakeholders.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual, and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship. (Regulation 11 (2)(a)(vi)(vii)) 18 April 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793659 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Alicie Enterprises Limited

p.7

Inspector

Jo Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2793659 8 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 looked-after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8