Children's Home run by 1848 Ltd in Somerset

Inspection report for children’s home: 2650345 1 Registered provider: 1848 Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home, one of three in a small privately owned provision in the county, has been registered since 5 October 2022. It may provide care for up to two children experiencing social and emotional difficulties. Two children currently live in the home; both were present and engaged in discussions with the inspector. One of the children is nearing their second year in the home and was also present at the previous inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, the manager has changed. The new manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

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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 for children’s home: 2650345 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2650345 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are thriving through meaningful experiences, with the managers and staff actively supporting and championing their hobbies. They encourage the children to make choices about preferred activities, carefully considering their age, individual needs and journey toward independence. The children have both enjoyed holidays, and one child enjoyed a caravan trip with friends, supported by a parent of the group.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Despite some staff changes, both children can identify their trusted adults, and they are developing nurturing and trusting relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a warm and welcoming environment, enhanced by recent decor updates. One child’s artwork is proudly displayed on the walls, alongside photos capturing joyful moments shared between children and staff, including a milestone birthday celebration. In recognition of a younger child now living in the home, outdoor play equipment, a large paddling pool and loungers have been added, providing opportunities for fun and relaxation. However, there is room to improve the staff sleep rooms to make them less office-like and more accessible to the children, while maintaining confidentiality of information.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children participate in the decoration of their bedrooms, and each is representative of their individuality and personalised with photos and items. The children have memory books with photos of experiences and significant milestones captured alongside the many fun experiences, but one child’s book is not up to date.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The managers and responsible individual have high aspirations for children’s educational success, advocating for necessary assessments to access specialist education. One child is thriving in an equestrian programme, achieving certified levels. Although a consistent tutor is not in place, this has been robustly challenged. Overall, the positive experiences in this alternative setting have boosted the child’s confidence. They have visited optional specialist schools, expressing their views, and are now enrolled in their chosen school for the upcoming academic year, with a gradual return to full-time education planned.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported in maintaining relationships with family, friends and other significant individuals in line with agreed plans and relevant restrictions. Effective communication and information-sharing ensure that children receive the necessary support to develop connections, allowing them to enjoy positive experiences in both supervised and independent settings. One parent expressed feeling actively involved in their child’s life despite living separately, highlighting the meaningful communication they receive and the positive care they observe and hear about. Inspection report for children’s home: 2650345 4

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

The leaders and managers understand and deliver their safeguarding duties. This ensures that children are safe in the home. The home’s ethos of nurturing care is used along with supportive rewards and incentives to manage behaviour. There has been one use of physical intervention, which was proportionate and necessary.

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

Managers assess risks to children and take proactive measures to safeguard them from both known and emerging threats, acting swiftly to ensure their protection. This includes addressing online risks and exploitation, demonstrated through collaborative engagement with a school to implement coordinated safeguarding practices. Additionally, meaningful discussions with the child help them understand potential risks while ensuring they receive appropriate protection.

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

Managers carefully assess decisions to impose restrictions on children, ensuring they are aligned with identified risks. For example, limiting access to sharp knives and kitchen items that could be used in self-injurious incidents was appropriately justified. However, the necessary steps for lifting restrictions were not outlined, and in practice, additional kitchen utensils unlikely to pose harm were restricted and safer alternatives had not been purchased for some items.

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

The managers ensure that children receive advice on how to make use of the complaints process. When any complaints are received, thorough investigations are conducted, with relevant information shared effectively with others.

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

Managers have addressed a bullying concern formally raised by one child, taking action to help children understand how their language and behaviour affect others. A sensitive and therapeutic approach has been implemented, including collaboration with external professionals. As a result, children are developing increasingly positive relationships, enhancing their overall well-being in the home.

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

Leaders and managers have effective oversight of safer recruitment. Additionally, when concerns are raised about any employees, practice or performance, there is effective consideration of the relevant policies. Decisions are well documented and evidence proportionate outcomes, with a focus on safeguarding children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager understands both the strengths and areas for development of the home. She is well supported by the deputy and responsible individual. This joint insight has contributed to an informative and detailed development plan. Managers demonstrate a restorative leadership approach, championing and modelling high ambition and aspirations for the children. Their behaviours and expectations align with the home’s ethos, fostering a therapeutic and nurturing environment as outlined in the statement of purpose. Inspection report for children’s home: 2650345 5 Managers are highly aware of staffing challenges and the impact of inexperience. They have identified local sufficiency issues within the sector and, through the home’s development plan, are committed to growing and strengthening the staff team. Their approach is centred on training, development and creating opportunities for progression.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff overwhelmingly report feeling supported by managers, benefiting from a robust induction period that includes training and additional guidance throughout their probation. Both staff and managers engage in regular reflective supervision. Staff take great satisfaction in their roles and interactions with children, demonstrating their contributions through a strong understanding of therapeutic, trauma-informed care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2650345 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming, supportive and which provides appropriate boundaries in relation to children’s behaviour. In particular, the bedrooms used by staff for sleeping and administrative roles should be free from institutional office equipment, and information displayed should be reviewed for its sensitivity and confidentiality to enable children to access them in line with their assessed need. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff keep appropriate memorabilia of children’s time living in the home. In particular, staff should provide context to the photos that are included in memory books so that children are helped to remember where they were, what they were doing and who they were with when they look back at the photos in later life. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5)

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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 for children’s home: 2650345 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Old Bank Buildings, East Street, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0AJ

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Inspector

Ashley Arkless, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2650345 8 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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