Children's home run by Residential Child Care Community (Town Hall) Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2788293 1 Registered provider: Residential Child Care Community (Town Hall) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a small private provider. The home provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, the home was providing care for two children. Both children moved on from the home during the inspection, which was planned in line with their individual care plans.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in June 2024. This was the first inspection since registration.

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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

Date of last inspection: Not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2788293 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from positive experiences in the home, where they feel safe, valued and well cared for. Staff build strong, trusting relationships with children and provide consistent emotional and practical support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of child development and have adapted their practice effectively to meet the needs of younger children in their care. Staff create a nurturing and structured environment that children respond to well. Daily routines provide consistency and reassurance, with staff using age-appropriate communication and play-based approaches to engage children. Individual care plans reflect each child’s developmental stage, ensuring that their needs are met. As a result, children develop confidence, build trusting relationships and make good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are responsive and child centred when managing children’s moves into and out of the home, ensuring that those that cannot be fully planned are overseen sensitively and in the best interests of children. Staff provide consistent emotional support, helping children to understand and process changes in a way that reduces anxiety and promotes stability. When unexpected moves occur, staff work with professionals and the children to create a smooth transition, offering reassurance and continuity of care. Subsequently, children experience positive moves that prioritise their well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have identified barriers to learning for children and remain committed to promoting learning and achievement in the home. Staff advocate on behalf of children, working closely with schools to implement tailored strategies to re-engage children in education. When attendance at school for one child was disrupted, staff provided structure and encouragement in the home, with informal learning and education-based activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of children maintaining positive relationships with those who are significant to them. Staff work closely with children, families and professionals to ensure that family time arrangements are well planned and in the best interests of children. Staff provide appropriate support and supervision where needed, creating a safe and nurturing environment for children to spend time with their families. As a result, children are supported to build and maintain important family connections safely.

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

Staff assess and review risks faced by children to a good standard, ensuring that their safety and well-being are managed effectively. Children’s individual risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated in response to changing needs. Staff implement appropriate strategies to minimise risk and promote positive development for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2788293 3 The registered manager responds promptly and effectively to allegations of shortfalls in staff practice, ensuring that safeguarding remains a priority. Concerns are investigated, and appropriate action is taken to address any issues and improve practice. The registered manager provides staff with clear guidance and additional support where needed, promoting a culture of continuous learning. This approach helps to maintain high standards of care and ensures that children feel safe and well supported.

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

Therapeutic consultations help staff to understand children’s experiences and implement consistent, informed approaches to care. Staff work closely with therapists to ensure that children receive the right support to promote their emotional well-being. As a result, children feel supported in managing their emotions and making positive progress.

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

Staff have developed age-appropriate tools that are effective in promoting children’s understanding of expectations regarding behaviour. Positive reinforcement is prioritised, with direct work sessions used to address unacceptable behaviour. A reward system is in place that is clear for children to understand. Children actively participate in choosing what they work towards, which promotes positive engagement.

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

Staff use de-escalation techniques effectively to support children in managing their emotions and behaviours. As a result, physical intervention is rarely used. Staff build trusting relationships with children and use proactive approaches to reduce instances of negative incidents. Staff respond with patience, using clear communication and approaches that reflect each child’s individual needs. The registered manager’s oversight of incidents is present; however, there are shortfalls in the recording of decisions made during her evaluation.

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

Inconsistencies in visitors signing in to the home mean that the provider’s procedures are not always followed. This undermines the effectiveness of safeguarding practice. Staff records also lack detail, such as the purpose of the visit, the specific times of arrival and departure and verification of the visitor’s identity. To meet the provider’s own policy, the records must be completed consistently, with all necessary information, to show that visitors are properly monitored and that staff can manage any potential risk to children in their care effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a committed registered manager who leads by example, setting clear expectations for staff and ensuring that children’s needs remain at the centre of practice. She is supported in her role by a deputy manager. The registered manager has a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development, and uses effective monitoring and evaluation to drive continuous improvement. The registered manager works closely with external professionals and families to secure the best outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2788293 4 Staff receive good-quality supervision from the registered manager or a senior team member. This provides staff with regular opportunities to reflect on their practice and professional development. Supervision sessions follow a clear agenda, allowing staff to discuss key issues including any emerging concerns about children’s welfare. When

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

specific issues are highlighted, focus sessions are arranged by the management team to provide additional support and guidance. This ensures that staff feel well supported and confident in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff communicate effectively and share valuable insights during team meetings. These meetings provide a structured forum for discussing children’s progress, identifying emerging concerns and reviewing strategies to ensure consistent care. Staff contribute their observations and reflections, enabling a collaborative approach to meeting children’s needs. This open communication helps maintain a supportive and well- informed team, leading to consistent approaches.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Changes in staffing have been managed effectively and with careful consideration for children’s well-being. The registered manager has demonstrated a proactive approach in ensuring that new staff members are thoroughly inducted and integrated into the team. This has helped maintain consistency and stability for children, who benefit from positive relationships with adults in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals speak positively about the quality of care and communication provided by staff. The team’s proactive approach in sharing relevant information to ensure that children’s needs are met effectively is highlighted by those working with children. Professionals value the strong relationships staff build with children and the consistent support they provide. One education professional said that their experience of working with the home ‘could not have been more positive’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2788293 5

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff consistently record all visitors to the home in accordance with the provider’s own policy. 16 April 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and that the review of this is clearly recorded. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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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: 2788293 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Residential Childcare Community (Town Hall) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 843 Finchley Road, London NW11 8NA

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Inspector

Carrie Mayes, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2788293 7 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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