Children's Home run by Sunlight Children’s Care Limited in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 1 Registered provider: Sunlight Children’s Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for one child who may require support with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

A manager has been appointed but they have not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 5 February 2025

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/02/2025 Full Good 23/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 3

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improvement to be good

While some areas of the home would benefit from redecoration, thoughtful consideration has been given to creating a personalised and comforting environment for the child. The child’s presence is evident throughout the home, reflecting her personality and preferences. Her bedroom is decorated and tailored to her tastes, effectively supporting her sense of belonging and emotional security in the house.

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improvement to be good

The child feels safe, comfortable and settled in the home. Interactions between the child and staff are warm and nurturing. Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to the child’s emotional well-being. Thoughtful effort was put into celebrating their birthday, including wearing personalised T-shirts and holding a party. This positive approach was acknowledged and praised by external professionals and the child’s mother.

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improvement to be good

Professionals and the child’s mother acknowledge there were significant concerns and shortfalls in care and support at the start of the placement. However, they recognise that staff have worked diligently and demonstrated a capacity to learn important lessons. As a result, the child is now happy and settled and there has been a reduction in incidents.

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improvement to be good

The child’s health needs have not consistently been promoted. Concerns have been raised regarding the child using an e-cigarette and associated safety risks such as the use of a charger without appropriate planning. Following an incident of suicidal ideation, the child was not provided with or offered timely access to medical services. Delays in obtaining medical appointments have been further exacerbated by the absence of the looked after child medical documentation, which has not been incorporated into current care plans.

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improvement to be good

Following a recent disclosure made by the child, leaders and managers demonstrated a robust and well-coordinated response. They ensured that staff received additional guidance and support to deepen their understanding of the child’s needs. This enabled staff to deliver tailored, sensitive care in a way that helped the child feel heard, protected and emotionally supported. The home’s approach contributed to the child feeling safe and supported during a particularly vulnerable period.

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improvement to be good

There have been multiple incidents when the child’s deprivation of liberty order was not adhered to, due to weaknesses in oversight and staff understanding of legal safeguards. On one occasion, this failure contributed to the child experiencing harm. Although leaders and managers have undertaken a review and identified areas for improvement, the response has lacked urgency. The delay in implementing corrective action has limited the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements and left the child vulnerable to further Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 4 risk. Improvements are now under way; however, these must be embedded to ensure the child’s safety is prioritised and legal requirements are fully met.

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improvement to be good

Monitoring and oversight of physical interventions by leaders and managers have not consistently identified when staff practice has deviated from the child’s care plan and risk assessment. In at least one instance, the staff member involved in the physical intervention also conducted the debrief discussion, which undermines the objectivity and learning potential of the process. The lack of scrutiny has reduced the opportunity to address poor practice and prevent reoccurrence.

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improvement to be good

Risk assessments and individual care plans are not consistently followed by staff, which compromises the child’s safety. In one serious incident involving the child expressing suicidal ideation, staff did not seek medical attention or implement the required monitoring outlined in the child’s risk management plan. Furthermore, the child’s safety plan and behaviour support plan were not reviewed or updated following the incident, limiting the ability to adapt care and risk management strategies in response to emerging needs. These omissions highlight weaknesses in both care practice and management oversight.

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improvement to be good

There are significant gaps in the recording of fire safety measures, including incomplete fire safety logs and a lack of documented fire drills. There is no designated fire warden, and there is no clear provision of updated fire safety training for staff. These shortfalls pose a risk to the safety and well-being of children and indicate insufficient attention to essential health and safety requirements.

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improvement to be good

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the child’s needs, particularly in relation to the risks of child sexual exploitation and the appropriate action to take when the child goes missing. Although responses were previously inconsistent, staff have engaged in learning and development, leading to noticeable improvements in supporting the child and effectively using de-escalation techniques. As a result, there has been a significant reduction in the number of episodes of the child going missing, reflecting positive progress in safeguarding and care practices.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There have been repeated recording errors in the administration of controlled medication. These errors have not been addressed through effective learning or reflective practice, resulting in ongoing inaccuracies. The records do not consistently comply with the medication policy. Additionally, controlled medication has been administered on multiple occasions in a manner that does not align with the prescribing instructions. These discrepancies were not identified or rectified through routine monitoring and only came to light during the inspection, highlighting weaknesses in oversight and safeguarding practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Some agency and bank staff work with the child on a two-to-one basis and have not received training in essential areas relevant to the child’s needs. This is of concern to the placing authority. Staff, including permanent and temporary workers, have not completed Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 5 training specific to the child’s diagnosis. Furthermore, some staff are working beyond the required timescales for completing their professional qualifications, which compromises the quality and consistency of care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Monitoring systems are not yet sufficiently robust, particularly in relation to safeguarding, incidents and medication management. The manager’s oversight has failed to identify or address concerns in these key areas, indicating that current systems are not fully embedded or effective. Additionally, supervision discussions and team meetings have not been consistently held in line with the home’s statement of purpose, which impacts staff development and the overall quality of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have consistently advocated to ensure that the child’s care is safe. Where the quality of care has fallen short, this advocacy has been explicit, including the use of formal complaints to escalate concerns. During the inspection, when issues or concerns were identified, managers responded promptly and appropriately, demonstrating a collaborative approach and a clear commitment to learning and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Improved working relationships with professionals have supported positive progress for the child. Close collaboration following complaints has ensured that information is shared effectively and coordinated between managers and external agencies, resulting in more consistent and informed care planning. Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 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 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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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)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the child’s risk assessment and the court order that restricts their liberty is understood and adhered to. This also relates to ensuring any concerns about self-harm or suicidal ideation are acted on in line with plans and policies, to ensure the safety of the child. 29 August 2025

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— 29 August 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 7 helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that staff are suitably qualified and have the appropriate training to support the child’s needs. This should be further supported by ensuring staff have supervisions and team meetings in line with the home’s statement of purpose and care delivered to children is in line with this.

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and 29 August 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 8 well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring all health needs for the child are outlined in their plans and staff are therefore aware of these. When there have been incidents of self-harm, medical advice and support should be sought in line with plans. Clear support and advice should be in place for staff and the child around the use of e-cigarettes.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring the registered manager is working with the local authority on decisions relating to the child and all staff are aware of plans for children arriving in the home. Children’s plans should regularly be reviewed and include the relevant information for children to enable staff to support them. This includes relevant information in plans regarding health, education and bail conditions. 29 August 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 9 The registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(ii)(iv)(v)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring the specific physical intervention technique is described, there is oversight of the report within five days and a debrief is completed with staff and the child involved within outlined timescales. 29 August 2025

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of the Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. 29 August 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 10 (Regulation 25 (2)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring clear records of fire drills and practices are completed in line with the home’s policy and that records are kept. There should be appropriately trained staff to support fire prevention, in line with the home’s fire risk assessment.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child.

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that medication is safely administered and there are accurate recordings available. 29 August 2025

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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: 2762776 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sunlight Children’s Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 8, Trinity Place, Midland Drive, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1TX

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Inspector

Eleanor Quanbrough, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2762776 12 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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