Children's home run by Living Life (UK) Limited in North Northamptonshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC481844 1 SC481844

p.1

Registered provider: Living Life (UK) Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to five children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home and their view was obtained.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is currently on extended leave and was not present for the inspection. An interim manager is in post.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC481844 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, two children have moved on from the home. Although these moves were unplanned and took place at short notice, the manager and safeguarding partners acted decisively in the best interests of the children. The decisions, while difficult, ensured that the children’s needs were prioritised and that they were provided with appropriate care and support to meet their individual needs.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The presentation of the home has undergone significant improvement. However, some areas are currently undergoing redecoration and improvements following further damage being sustained.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children know how to complain. Any complaints or allegations have been thoroughly investigated by the manager and shared with the local authority designated officer appropriately. However, one child was not provided with a formal outcome to their allegation.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff undertake training in safeguarding and have completed additional training to expand their knowledge base and meet the child’s specific needs.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

One child is at risk of harm from self-injurious behaviours. A detailed risk assessment is in place. However, this assessment has not been updated to include the most recent incidents. Despite this, staff are aware of the risk posed to the child and are familiar with the required actions to manage risks.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The use of physical intervention is only employed when necessary to protect the children or others around them. Such interventions are proportionate to the situation. All incidents are reviewed by the manager and reflection informs staff practice through debriefs. The child is also spoken to following an incident and in regular one-to-one conversations.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff respond to safeguarding incidents appropriately. When an incident takes place, staff follow the child’s risk management plan. Incident recordings are detailed, and managers provide oversight and evaluation. Any concerns are shared with safeguarding professionals in a timely manner and the regulator is notified, when this is required.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The staff say they are happy in their jobs. They receive good support, which is achieved through regular supervision and team meetings. The staff have worked through a turbulent time at the home. Despite this, they remain committed to the child, and the support from leaders and managers has been key to staff remaining focused on the care and support of the children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC481844 3 Some progress towards meeting the statutory requirements made at the full inspection has been made. Three requirements have been met; three requirements and one recommendation have been restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC481844 4

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/03/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/03/2024 Full Good 28/02/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC481844 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

p.5

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to leaders and managers ensuring that staff regularly update, read, understand and follow risk assessments and behaviour management plans to understand the action to take when children are upset or at risk of harm. 14 October 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC481844 6 The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received;

p.6

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)(g)(ii)(h))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to leaders and managers ensuring that children are made aware that leaders and managers are taking action, that children are kept updated, that restorative work between children and staff takes place and that records of this work are completed and are available. 14 October 2025

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must give notice in writing to HMCI, as soon as it is reasonably practicable to do so, if any of the following events take place or are expected by the registered person to take place—

p.6

Requirement Due date

a person other than the registered person carries on or manages the children’s home;

p.6

Requirement Due date

if the registered provider is an organisation— 14 October 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC481844 7 any change in the identity of the responsible individual. (Regulation 49 (a)(e)(iii))

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all parts of the home where any work is required to improve the presentation is carried out in a reasonable time frame. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC481844 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Living Life (UK) Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 212 Ballards Lane, London N3 2LX

p.8

Inspector

Caroline Coop, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC481844 9 regulates 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9