Children's home run by Gratia Cura Residential Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 1 Registered provider: Gratia Cura Residential Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties who are aged between seven and 17 years.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in December 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 4 August 2025.

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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

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: 2814282 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home opened, one child has moved in. The child is subject to a deprivation of liberty order. Due to the urgency of the placement, the child was admitted without a full introductory process and initially experienced significant distress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff collaborated closely with external agencies and the child’s parents to develop a tailored care plan. This plan was designed to reflect the child’s individual needs, preferences, daily routine and requirement for personal space. As a result, the child has begun to form positive relationships with staff, stating that they have ‘supported me to feel better’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have consistently supported the child’s emotional and mental health. Ongoing collaborative work has led to external agencies now providing support within the home environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have advocated strongly with the placing authority and local education providers to ensure that the child receives formal education. While arrangements are still being finalised by the placing authority, staff have implemented daily structured activities focused on developing independence skills and preparing the child for engagement in education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have demonstrated creativity in maintaining family connections. A sleepover was arranged with the child’s sister, and staff have built a positive relationship with their parents, who now contribute regularly to care planning. The child was also supported to attend a family holiday, during which their mother expressed appreciation for staff’s support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff have shown dedication and adaptability in responding to the child’s complex needs. Through collaborative planning, emotional support, education advocacy and family engagement, they have created a nurturing environment that promotes the child’s well-being and development.

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

Staff have worked consistently and collaboratively with external agencies to ensure that the child’s physical and emotional well-being are prioritised. The team has dedicated time to closely monitor the child’s emotional coping style, identifying triggers and implementing tailored support strategies. This proactive approach has enabled the child to feel safe and cared for, significantly reducing incidents of self-harm.

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

Following each significant incident, the manager conducts a thorough review and updates the child’s risk assessment. Staff are promptly informed and guided by these structured assessments, ensuring that the child continues to feel safe and protected. Inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 3 When the child first arrived, they frequently went missing from the home. Through careful planning and direct work, the child has developed insight into their behaviours, resulting in the cessation of these episodes of going missing from the home.

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

Staff have received appropriate training and say that they feel confident in supporting the child around self-harm and staying safe in the community. Continuous monitoring of the child’s mood and behaviour has enabled staff to respond sensitively and to plan the day in a way that meets the child’s emotional needs.

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

Risk assessments and behaviour management plans are regularly updated, with staff reflecting on these during handovers and team meetings to ensure consistency and a shared understanding.

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

Positive behaviour is actively promoted. Staff employ effective de-escalation techniques, and child-specific strategies are developed in consultation with external professionals and with the child.

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

Restrictive practices, including restraints, have been used only when necessary to prevent harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The culture of the home is characterised by high expectations and a strong aspiration to meet the child’s needs. Staff have confidence in the manager, who consistently reviews and monitors all incidents. The manager evaluates what could be done differently and identifies any further training needs. As a result, the ethos and objectives of the home are clearly reflected in staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and attend team meetings, providing opportunities to reflect on their work and share ideas for improvement. They also have access to therapeutic supervision from the organisation’s psychologist, which is highly valued and contributes to the enhancement of their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is actively identifying strengths and areas for further development, implementing clear plans that continually improve the experiences of the child currently at the home and those who may move in in the future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates a strong understanding of the child’s goals and supports the achievement of key milestones, such as obtaining a provisional driving licence and developing independence through budgeting and life skills. These plans align with the local authority’s care plan and offer clear guidance for staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff work proactively and positively with external agencies and professionals. They strive to build effective relationships with parents and social workers from the placing authority to secure positive outcomes for the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 4 Staff receive effective support and feel confident discussing areas for improvement during team and management meetings. This fosters professional development and creates an environment in which good practice can thrive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The psychologist’s contribution to the child’s care plan is not formalised or clear. Additionally, the home provides in-house training delivered by qualified staff, but this is not accurately reflected in the home’s statement of purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Case records currently do not clearly capture the child’s daily life or the work being carried out with them. They lack detail regarding the child’s achievements and do not consistently link to their plans. Furthermore, the child’s views are not routinely recorded during key-work sessions. This means that the child may not fully understand the work that is being carried out and do not engage meaningfully in the planning process.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There were significant episodes of the child going missing from the home, which were not reported to external agencies for scrutiny. This limits the opportunity to review and reflect on the factors contributing to these incidents. Inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 5

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)) 20 September

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must inform HMCI of changes to training provisions and support from the psychologist. 20 September

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children contribute to their records and assessments in a way that reflects their voice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.19)  The registered person should ensure that the quality of the recordings of key-worker sessions are purposeful and evaluative, so that they are helpful to a child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 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: 2814282 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Gratia Cura Residential Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Park Road, Didcot OX11 8QW

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Inspector

Shaheda Dhandia, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2814282 8 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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Inspector

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