Children's Home run by Delam Care Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC064027 1 SC064027 Registered provider: Delam Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is part of a private organisation. The home provides care for up to six children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since December 2024. In March 2025, she achieved her level 5 diploma in leadership and management in residential care.

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Information about this children’s home

Five children were living at the home at the time of 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: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC064027 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/03/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/10/2023 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Good 02/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC064027 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

During the inspection, five children were present and engaged briefly with the inspector. When asked, they said that they were feeling fine, and they displayed positive interactions with leaders and staff. The manager and staff demonstrate a genuine commitment to the children’s well-being, striving to provide enriching experiences and opportunities for them to thrive. Children participate in various outings, including trips to the airport for plane watching, beach visits, bowling and in-house arts and crafts sessions. These activities contribute to the development of trusting relationships between children and staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff maintain effective working relationships with other professionals. Recently, staff provided training to education professionals on a child’s bandage- changing process, ensuring appropriate support in the educational setting. One professional expressed appreciation for this collaboration, stating, ‘We work effectively together; the children are so lucky to be here. Staff keep us informed about their activities, and they do a lot to promote independence skills.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children in making good progress in education. Leaders have identified individual patterns of behaviour, enabling them to recognise when adjustments are necessary. The manager has successfully advocated for a child to move to a more suitable education setting, resulting in the child securing a place at a new school. Staff also encourage the development of independence skills, supporting children in improving their personal care and hygiene and taking responsibility for tidying their surroundings. As a result, children have demonstrated these learned skills beyond the home, including in school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff foster positive relationships with children’s families. One parent shared their experience, stating, ‘They have been fantastic with him. He doesn’t bond with many people, but he has at [name of home]. He has had the chance to meet new people and build relationships.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well supported. Staff ensure attendance at regular medical appointments and respond effectively when health concerns arise, contributing to the children’s sustained well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager strongly advocates for children. One young person is due to move out of the home when they reach the age of 18. However, given the time of year, the manager has advocated for their stay to be extended by a few weeks to facilitate a positive transition.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is some repair work that remains outstanding since the previous inspection. Areas of the property require a fresh coat of paint, and a bathroom unit remains broken. Inspection report children’s home: SC064027 4 Despite this, children’s bedrooms continue to reflect their personal preferences, with recent refurbishments including the replacement of radiator covers.

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

Since returning from maternity leave, the manager has reflected on previous shortfalls in safeguarding processes. In response, she has implemented a new tracker sheet to ensure that all necessary actions are completed following a concern. Staff are well informed about how to use the systems in place, and it is evident that these processes have been embedded into practice.

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

Leaders provide valuable learning opportunities to support staff in understanding children’s needs. Reflective sessions have increased, allowing staff to discuss support strategies for managing complex behaviours. As a result, staff feel more confident when assisting children during incidents.

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

Staff support children effectively in understanding their emotions. The emotional volcano tool is used to help children identify feelings beyond simply happy or sad. This approach has enabled children to express their emotions more freely, leading to a reduction of some incidents in the home.

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

Physical interventions are only used as a last resort to ensure the safety of children and others. When higher-level interventions have been necessary, records indicate that staff consistently attempt the lowest level of intervention first and use physical restraint for the shortest possible duration. Children are provided with opportunities to reflect in a child-centred manner following incidents, which helps maintain positive relationships between staff and children.

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

Allegations within the home are rare. However, when they do occur, leaders respond appropriately. A recent allegation was reported to relevant professionals in a timely manner. Although the allegation was later retracted, children were still given the opportunity to speak with an independent person. This approach has assured children that their views are heard and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has remained committed to addressing the shortfalls identified in the previous inspection. Her focus has been on rebuilding team morale and re-establishing positive relationships with professionals and families outside the home. Professionals have told the inspector that they feel reassured by the manager’s return due to the consistency of communication.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are highly engaged in their roles and supported by effective management. The manager operates an open-door policy, enabling staff to discuss any concerns or queries. Staff have provided positive feedback regarding the support they receive. One staff Inspection report children’s home: SC064027 5 member stated, ‘I love learning new things. [Name of manager] teaches us the best way; she is the best manager. She is supportive, and if I need help, I can rely on her.’ Monitoring systems have improved since the previous inspection. The manager has implemented a robust monthly monitoring process, reviewing safeguarding concerns, health and safety and the progress of both children and staff. This approach allows early identification of areas requiring improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment processes remain thorough and safe. Leaders ensure that all necessary checks are completed before new staff begin their roles, providing assurance that they are suitable to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Due to the short time frame between inspections, there was insufficient evidence during this visit to determine whether the requirement under Regulation 44 and the recommendation regarding appraisals have been met. These will remain in place until further review. Inspection report children’s home: SC064027 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 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; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the independent person makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the quality of care being provided. 3 July 2025 Inspection report children’s home: SC064027 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children. Any damage should be quickly repaired. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that appraisals consider, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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 children’s home: SC064027 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Metropolitan House, 5th Floor, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC064027 9 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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