Children's Home run by THR SERVICES LIMITED in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 1 Registered provider: THR Services 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 owned by a small private provider and is registered to provide care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living at the home at the time of the inspection. One child was spoken to during the inspection.

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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: 2735355 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/07/2024 Full Good 23/04/2024 Full Inadequate 06/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff know the child well and spoke fondly about them. Before moving to the home, the child had some difficult experiences with moving on from different homes. The staff have worked hard to reassure the child that they would not give up caring for them. Staff have built trusting relationships with the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Before the child moved to the home, professionals thought the child was selective mute. The child chose not to communicate and would not engage with professionals. The child now has open conversations with staff and has engaged with professionals. The child’s father said, ‘[The child’s] speech and communication has improved. The home has been the best thing for [the child].’ The child feels confident to communicate.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been out of education for a long period of time. The staff have supported education in the home. The manager has advocated for the child, and two education places had been identified but have fallen through. A tutor has now been identified and is due to start working with the child imminently. The manager’s and staff’s understanding and support will help the child to progress and learn at a pace that is appropriate to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff are dedicated to promoting family time. The staff travel a significant distance regularly with the child to facilitate family time. Before moving to the home, the child had not been to their family’s home for several years. The child has worked towards overnight stays with family and has enjoyed Christmas and a birthday with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Before moving to the home, the child was not engaging well with activities. The manager and staff are working hard to encourage a range of activities. The child has enjoyed go karting, paintballing, laser tag and enjoys walks in the park.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two parents are impressed with the care that children receive. A mother of a child that has now moved on from the home said, ‘I cannot fault the manager or staff. They have got [the child] to where they are now. It is the best home [the child] has ever lived.’ Parents feel assured that children are receiving good quality care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is cosy and welcoming and feels like a family home. There are photos of the child displayed around the home. The child’s bedroom is personalised to their own taste and meets their individual needs.

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

The child is safeguarded well. There have been no allegations or missing-from-home incidents. The manager has ensured that staff have appropriate safeguarding Inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 4 training and that they understand safeguarding procedures. Staff are confident and well equipped to manage safeguarding incidents.

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

The child was subject to a court-directed order that limited their movements when they moved to the home. The manager and staff have helped the child to feel safe and secure. The approach has meant that the child is no longer subject to an order, and high staffing ratios have decreased.

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

Before moving to the home, there were significant concerns regarding the child’s behaviour. At times, police were needed to help manage behavioural incidents. Since living at the home, there has been no use of police to manage incidents. Holding children is used minimally, and there has been no incidents for five months.

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

A professional from children adolescents and mental health services spoke highly of the manager and staff. He said, ‘The manager and staff have managed to stabilise the child, where others have failed. The significant reduction of behaviours is the benchmark of success.’

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

Behaviour support plans are well detailed and individualised. The child is being helped to understand and manage their difficult emotions safely. The child’s views have been incorporated into the plan. This approach has led to a significant decrease in unwanted behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is knowledgeable and holds a relevant level 5 qualification. He has high expectations of staff and is a good role model.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff said that they feel valued, respected and empowered by the manager. Staff have good-quality and regular supervision. The manager is dedicated to developing the staff. This support helps to create a stable and resilient staff team that can provide excellent care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive good-quality, face-to-face training. Staff and the manager benefit from input from a psychologist to help them understand the child’s past trauma. The staff hold either a relevant level 3 or 4 diploma or are working towards it within agreed timescales. Some staff are enrolled on a level 5 qualification. Staff have a good knowledge of how to meet the child’s needs and are motivated to provide good care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children’s records are well documented and organised. However, the local authority care plan for the child is out of date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person’s monthly reports are generally good quality. However, parents’ and professionals’ views have not been included in the reports. This reduces their ability to fully assess the service. Inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 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 registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (1)(2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that parents and professionals are regularly consulted, and this is reflected in the report. 15 August 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered manager should ensure that the child’s up to date local authority plan is accessible. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 11.1)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2735355 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: THR Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Room 2 First Floor, Main Road, Middleton Cheney, Banbury OX17 2PW

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 7 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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