Children's Home run by V-CARE HOMES (UK) LIMITED in Redbridge

Inspection report for children’s home: 2741744 1 Registered provider: V-CARE HOMES (UK) 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 was registered with Ofsted in August 2023 and is privately owned. It provides care for up to five children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of this inspection. They engaged with the inspector and shared their views about the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left the home in December 2023. Since then, there have been three different managers. A new manager was appointed in December 2024 and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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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: 15 January 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2741744 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/01/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2741744 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the child’s complex needs and follow comprehensive care plans that enable them to understand the child’s history.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have access to a therapist who helps them to better understand the child’s needs and how to provide good care and support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and has a family-like atmosphere. When the child moved in, they were warmly welcomed. The child’s bedroom is decorated to their taste. This has helped them to settle into the home and to develop a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child can express their wishes and feelings about their care. They have built a strong relationship with the manager and the staff. There is a warm interaction between the staff and the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s personality is well understood and celebrated by the staff. This connection has helped the child to feel safe in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively support the child’s education and encourage regular school attendance. A well-structured morning routine is in place, and staff help the child in travelling to and from school using public transport. As a result, the child’s school attendance has improved, and they are now enjoying their time at school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have advocated for the child to have additional support in mathematics and English. Staff have worked closely with the school to ensure that the child receives homework that helps them to build their confidence and skills. The most recent school report has been highly positive, highlighting the child’s progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has developed their independence and self-care skills since moving into the home. They can manage their personal care and, with support, take part in cooking and washing their clothes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have ensured that the child’s emotional and physical health needs are addressed. They understand when the child is distressed and request the right support in a timely manner. As a result, the child is learning to process their emotions and is more able to express their needs. The child is also supported to attend all health appointments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to take part in activities that they enjoy. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741744 4 Staff have supported the child to stay in touch with their family and friends. Family members have visited the home, and the child proudly showed them around the house.

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

Staff provide support to help the child develop a better understanding of how to stay safe and make positive choices that reduce risk. Staff use incentives to encourage positive behaviour and offer key-work sessions to help the child to explore their feelings.

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

When incidents occur, staff manage these well. Staff have built good relationships with the child, and this has helped to reduce the incidents when the child is distressed.

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

Staff know about the child’s vulnerabilities, and they supervise the child effectively. Safety plans are detailed and help to identify risks and include clear strategies for support.

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

Staff give a compassionate and effective response when the child shows signs of distress. Staff hold regular planned and unplanned discussions with the child and provide opportunities for reflection following incidents of concern.

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

The child is subject to a deprivation of liberty order. Leaders are in discussions with the placing local authority to look at whether the deprivation of liberty order safeguards can be reduced.

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

Safer recruitment practices have improved since the last inspection. However, a review of records has found that references are not always verified. On one occasion, managers had not picked up discrepancies in a member of staff’s address history.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers show high aspirations for their staff and are committed to ensuring that the child thrives physically, emotionally, educationally and socially. They have a good understanding of the child and advocate for them when engaging with partner agencies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have worked diligently to address the requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A consultant has been appointed to support the staff by modelling reflective practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741744 5 Regular audits of case records are conducted, helping to find areas for development. Feedback from partner agencies shows that communication is strong, and this has helped to secure a child-focused partnership between all professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision sessions with the therapist. This added support is enhancing their ability to communicate with the child and understand their behaviour.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The therapist helps staff explore key topics relevant to the child’s needs, resulting in a deeper understanding and more informed support. However, although supervision sessions are now held regularly, the quality of the records can vary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive varied training to help them to understand their key role in caring for children. However, not all staff are up to date with their first-aid training. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741744 6

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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 recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that references are verified and any discrepancies in addresses are investigated. 31 July 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. In particular, ensuring all staff have first-aid training. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)  The registered person should ensure that a record of supervision is kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation (33)(4)(b). (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.3) Inspection report for children’s home: 2741744 7

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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: 2741744 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: V-CARE HOMES (UK) LIMITED

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 16-20 Clements Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 1BA

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Inspector

Angela Reid, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2741744 9 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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Inspector

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