Children's home run by Alpine4care Services Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2721798 1 Registered provider: Alpine4care Services 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

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to two children who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

An experienced and suitably qualified manager has been appointed since the last full inspection, and they registered with Ofsted in November 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in this home. However, one child was moving out of the home during the inspection. Both children spoke with the inspector.

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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: 2721798 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/09/2023 Full Good 23/05/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2721798 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has been living in the home for over a year, and the other child moved in during March 2025. Since the last full inspection, three children have left the home under varying circumstances. Children currently living in the home spoke positively about their experiences and the relationships they have with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from trusting relationships with staff, who engage with them warmly and with nurture. Staff encourage children’s participation in activities that reflect their individual interests. For example, one child who enjoys football is supported to play for the school team, while another with a passion for boxing has attended a live event and joined a local club. Children also enjoy positive peer relationships and have recently enjoyed a holiday together.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s physical health needs are met. Children are registered with local health services and attend routine appointments. When specialist support is needed, staff work closely with health professionals and make appropriate referrals. When children are reluctant to engage, staff adopt an educative approach to help them understand the importance of accessing support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s emotional well-being is prioritised. Staff are attuned to children’s individual needs and provide consistent emotional support through nurturing relationships. They create a safe and trusting environment where children feel listened to and valued. Staff seek to involve relevant professionals and use everyday interactions to promote emotional resilience and help children understand and manage their feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s education is well supported through strong advocacy and effective partnership working. Staff have successfully secured a school placement for one child through persistent and proactive engagement with education services. Another child has good attendance and is making academic progress. When emotional challenges arise, staff work closely with teaching professionals to develop consistent strategies that help the child manage their emotions and feel understood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family time is well supported and contributes positively to children’s relationships with those important to them. Staff work closely with families and professionals to facilitate meaningful visits, which has led to an increase in the frequency of these for one child. Although another child has experienced reduced time with their family since moving to the home, leaders and managers have advocated strongly on their behalf and are working to establish plans that promote reconnection before the child moves on.

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

Children have clear and robust care plans that are tailored to their individual needs and risks. These plans are developed with input from the children, ensuring their views and Inspection report for children's home: 2721798 4 preferences are considered. Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of the plans and implement them consistently to promote safety and stability. Regular reviews and effective communication ensure that plans remain relevant and responsive, helping children feel safe, heard and well supported.

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

Since the last inspection, incidents of children going missing from home have been reduced overall. However, one child has experienced an increase in episodes more recently. Staff respond with urgency and persistence, maintaining contact, searching known locations and working closely with professionals and family members to ensure the child’s safety. Staff also engage with safeguarding partners to gather intelligence and strengthen protective measures when concerns arise.

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

Physical interventions are proportionate, well managed and used only when necessary to keep children safe. Staff apply trained techniques appropriately and show improved practice through reflection and learning. Children are supported to understand what happened during incidents and are given space to share their views and feelings. A reduction in interventions over recent months reflects the success of preventative approaches and the positive relationships staff build to help children manage their emotions safely.

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

Since the last inspection, four allegations have been made by children. Leaders and managers have responded swiftly and effectively, prioritising children’s safety and ensuring appropriate action was taken in each case. Investigations were carried out where necessary, with safeguarding partners actively involved throughout the process. These responses reflect a strong safeguarding culture and a commitment to listening to and protecting children.

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

Leaders and managers take complaints seriously and respond with professionalism and care. Following a recent concern raised by a parent, a resolution meeting was held to address the issues raised. Leaders demonstrated transparency and a commitment to partnership working, resulting in a positive outcome.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates a committed and hands-on leadership style, marked by approachability, empathy and a strong presence in the home. Since the last inspection, clear progress has been made. The home’s culture has significantly improved, with a renewed focus on openness, teamwork and child-centred care. Children benefit from a more nurturing and consistent environment, where their voices are heard and their needs are prioritised.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staffing arrangements in the home have become increasingly stable and well managed. While there was notable staff turnover following the last full inspection, recent improvements have led to greater consistency, with some staff now well established in their roles. This has enabled children to build trusting relationships with familiar adults, contributing positively to their day-to-day experiences and supporting positive progress. Inspection report for children's home: 2721798 5 Leaders and managers provide staff with a thorough induction, ensuring they understand the organisation’s expectations and are equipped to work effectively with children. Staff complete a range of training tailored to children’s individual needs. The manager uses systems to monitor staff development and identify future training needs. Where gaps are found, clear plans are put in place to address them. Staff also receive regular, structured

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

supervision that supports their development and improves practice. However, leaders and managers did not identify that one staff member was outside regulatory timescales for completing their qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report feeling valued and well supported by the management team. Leaders are visible and approachable in the home, offering guidance and reassurance when needed. Core team members are committed to delivering high-quality care, and this is reflected in the positive relationships they have built with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have established monitoring systems that promote good standards of care. Alongside oversight of daily practice, tools are in place to track children’s progress from their individual starting points. While there is room for further development, a strong foundation exists for recognising and celebrating children’s achievements. The manager’s reviews of incidents demonstrate a culture of reflection and learning, with actions taken to improve outcomes for children when needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works well with others involved in children’s care. Feedback gathered during the inspection was very positive. A professional for one child said, ‘It’s one of the best homes that we have worked with. The staff are proactive. The manager is excellent. She is hands on and has been relentless in getting my child a school placement.’ This demonstrates the commitment and child-focused approach displayed by the manager and staff team. Inspection report for children's home: 2721798 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

employ an individual to work at the children’s home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform.

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (2)(a)(b) (3)(b) (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b)) 18 September 2025 Inspection report for children's home: 2721798 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: 2721798 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Alpine4care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office Suite 4, Rumer Hill Business Estate, Rumer Hill Road, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 0ET

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Inspector

Carl Wilton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2721798 9 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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