Children's home run by Watermead Care Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2713730 1 Registered provider: Watermead 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 is owned by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for three children who may require support with social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in November 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection, there were three children living in the home and their views were obtained as part of the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2713730 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/04/2024 Full Outstanding 30/05/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2713730 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are making exceptional progress in all areas of their lives. The level of stability and consistency in their care provides children with a strong sense of security and belonging. As a result, children flourish in an environment where they feel safe, valued and understood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children benefit from warm, meaningful and trusting relationships with staff. Staff are highly committed, enthusiastic and proud of the children’s achievements. They ensure that every child is cherished and celebrated for who they are. This nurturing approach helps children to feel respected, valued and deeply cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children with additional communication needs are exceptionally well supported. Staff embrace each child’s unique way of expressing themselves. They develop creative ways to involve the child and ensure that they are fully engaged in all aspects of the home. This encouragement has led one child, who initially presented as shy and compliant, having the confidence to express themselves and develop their personality.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy an extensive range of experiences and opportunities that enrich their lives. For example, one child has progressed from learning to cycle, achieving two cycling proficiency awards and now cycling independently. Staff carefully plan activities that support children’s development, enhance their social skills and strengthen the attachments between staff and children. The registered manager has gone further to secure passports for the children, enabling them to enjoy a holiday abroad. These thoughtful experiences create long-lasting, positive memories while also helping children to grow in confidence and resilience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have positive educational experiences. Children now attend school on a full-time basis. This represents considerable progress from previous reduced timetables. One child has completed their GCSE exams and has plans to go onto further education. Another child who never attended physical education lessons has recently engaged in physical education activities. The manager advocates for educational support for children. She has submitted education, health and care plan applications, including appeals against unsuccessful applications.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children experienced living in several foster homes before moving to the home. Staff demonstrate a sensitive understanding of loss and separation. Staff go over and above to maintain and strengthen important relationships for children. Staff advocacy for one child has meant that they have had additional time spent with siblings. One foster carer was grateful for staff’s continued support in helping her to maintain a relationship with the child. She said, ‘The child’s previous anxious behaviour is replaced with a happy, chatty, calm child since living at the home.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2713730 4

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

Leaders have a strong commitment to workforce development. Consequently, they have developed a comprehensive training programme that provides staff with safeguarding knowledge and a deeper understanding of the impact of trauma on children’s development. This equips staff with the skills to meet children’s individual needs.

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

Children benefit from consistent routines and clear boundaries, which provide safety, predictability and reassurance. Staff know each child extremely well and offer tailored support that reflects their individual needs, personalities and circumstances.

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

Staff are highly skilled in recognising triggers and responding with early interventions to manage children’s behaviour safely. Staff will only intervene physically as a last resort and solely to protect a child or others. When incidents occur, they are proportionate, carefully recorded and subject to robust management review. A social worker stated, ‘There has been incredible progress for one child. The number of safeguarding incidents has reduced significantly. This is a direct result of the care and support the child receives.’

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

Children’s risk assessments and behaviour support plans are regularly reviewed and updated. Children’s plans effectively address vulnerabilities and provide staff with targeted strategies and actions to manage and reduce risks.

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

Serious incidents are well managed and demonstrate strong leadership accountability. Managers maintain oversight, ensuring that every incident is carefully reviewed, analysed and followed up with clear actions and support for the child. Detailed discussion with both staff and children provides opportunities for reflection and learning. Staff are encouraged to consider alternative strategies, guided by managers who both challenge and nurture practice. This ensures that responses remain consistent, proportionate and firmly child centred.

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

Allegations or suspicions of harm against staff are handled diligently, quickly and in line with statutory guidance. Staff act quickly to share concerns with managers and appropriate external safeguarding agencies, ensuring that children are consistently safeguarded and supported throughout any investigation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders provide inspirational leadership and set a clear ethos where children’s progress is at the heart of practice. The registered manager leads by example. She is committed, proactive and a strong advocate for children. Her commitment and persistence have directly improved children’s outcomes in all aspects of their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders consistently go beyond expectation to ensure that children receive the right support. For example, they made a financial commitment to secure bespoke therapeutic support for one child. They also ensured that the child’s school received additional training in specific therapeutic approaches to maintain consistency. This has created a Inspection report for children’s home: 2713730 5 team around the child approach, embedding consistent strategies across home, school and wider professionals. As a result, the child has made remarkable progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders communicate exceptionally well with the wider network and partner agencies. This ensures that children’s holistic needs are considered. Leaders challenge and escalate any worries when needed, ensuring professional accountability and safeguarding responsibility.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders support staff welfare. They recognise and understand the complexities for residential care and have specifically developed resilience within the staff team. Staff receive regular, effective supervision and annual appraisals, mentoring and clinical input. Staff training and development embeds research and theory. This ensures that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to support children’s emerging needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feedback is overwhelmingly positive. This has resulted in a stable and consistent workforce, enabling children to form lasting relationships. Leaders support and remain in contact with children after the leave the home. This further reinforces the inclusive culture, which creates a genuine family feel in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2713730 6

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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: 2713730 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Watermead Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 135, 1 Hanley Street, Nottingham NG1 5BL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Anne-Marie O’Reilly

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Inspector

Tazim Akhtar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2713730 8 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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