Children's home run by Second Avenue Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2818781 1 Registered provider: Second Avenue Care 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

The home registered with Ofsted in February 2025 and is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This was the first inspection since the home was registered. The manager was also registered in February 2025 but has since voluntarily cancelled his registration. A new manager was appointed in March 2025 and was registered with Ofsted in June 2025. The manager is also registered for another setting with the same provider.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home. They are the only child to have lived in the home since it registered. The child was spoken to as part of this 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 outstanding

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2818781 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has enjoyed a positive experience since living in the home. The child says that they ‘love’ their bedroom and managers. They spoke at length about how they felt safe and supported by staff. The child talked about how they enjoy ‘banter’ with the staff. Laughter and jokes were heard during the inspection. The child said that staff welcomed them into the home after a difficult previous experience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made progress since living in the home. The manager advocated strongly for the child to access education. Staff supported the child to re-engage with their education after a period of significant instability. As a result, the child has sat their exams and has secured a place on a course at a college. They are also working in a paid job over the summer, which staff arranged through the local authority.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The independent reviewing officer for the child commented that the home is meeting the child’s needs ‘exceptionally well’. The child is in good health. Staff have supported them to attend medical check-ups as needed. This included a dentist appointment where a staff member held the child’s hand to reassure them. The child’s emotional well-being has also improved significantly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and leaders provide the child with a strong sense of stability within the home. They agreed to their admission in a way that focused on the needs of the child. Staff have shown commitment to the child and their needs. They have discussed a long- term goal for them to remain in the home until they are ready for independence. Staff have taken steps to help the child to prepare for this.

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

The child feels safe in the home, and staff keep them safe. There have been very few incidents of concern since the child has lived in the home. Following a serious incident, staff and leaders reflected on how they could manage this better in the future. Leaders took appropriate action to reduce the risk of recurrence. The action taken continues to ensure that the child enjoys time with their family.

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

Risks to the child have reduced over time. Staff have developed very positive relationships with the child. Staff support the child when they are experiencing difficult emotions. Over time, this has led to the child being more open with staff about their feelings. Staff apply the therapeutic ethos of the home in practice. As a result, the child has experienced no further hospital admissions since living in the home.

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

Plans and assessments give staff clear strategies to follow to reduce risk. The child has not gone missing from the home. Staff know the procedure to follow if this were Inspection report for children’s home: 2818781 3 to happen. Staff work in partnership with the child’s parents and placing authority. This helps to support the child and keep them safe.

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

Staff hold regular discussions with the child and help them to express their views. These cover a range of topics that are relevant to the child’s needs and risks. Staff record these in caring and sensitive language that is accessible to the child. Staff have offered the child an independent advocate.

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

Staff avoid the use of consequences for negative behaviour wherever possible. When used, consequences are proportionate and restorative in nature.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The child and staff enjoy strong and confident leadership arrangements. The manager has a solid foundation of experience and is supported by an experienced deputy manager. The manager is committed and is ambitious for the child. She can describe the principles that underpin her approach, which have been put into practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. The manager has achieved significant improvements in a short time. She has put in place plans for further development that are subject to regular review.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from others is very positive about the leadership of the home. The child’s parent described this as ‘one in a million’. A professional involved with the child talked about feeling ‘blown away’ by the quality of care. Staff report feeling well supported by leaders. This has helped the child to thrive and make progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders have highly effective systems that monitor and support staff practice. They provide staff with training that is comprehensive and tailored to the child’s needs. This includes hearing from multi-agency partners and a care leaver about their experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders underpin staff practice with a robust evidence base. Managers hold regular supervision and appraisals with staff. These hold staff to account and give them support. Team meetings promote open staff contributions. They focus on children’s needs and risks. Managers have consistent oversight of records.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager models a positive and loving relationship with the child. The child feels loved and appreciated as a result. The manager advocates strongly on behalf of the child. They challenge other agencies if their support is insufficient for the child. This has resulted in the child experiencing improved responses from others.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is aware of the risk of a potential closed culture. They have strategies in place to prevent this. Leaders promote an open and transparent culture within the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2818781 4

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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: 2818781 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Second Avenue Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 298 Bawtry Road, Wickersley, Rotherham S66 1JJ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Liam Fitzpatrick

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Inspector

Sam Saxby-Brown, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2818781 6 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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