Children's Home run by 24/7 Support UK Limited in Peterborough

Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 1 Registered provider: 24/7 Support UK Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home registered with Ofsted in August 2024 and is privately run. It provides care for up to two children who experience social children with learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left the home in August 2025.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 28 January 2025

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/01/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 3

p.2

improvement to be good

Since the last inspection no other children have moved in or out of the home. The child spoke with the inspector and contributed to the inspection.

p.3

improvement to be good

The child is supported and encouraged to make progress. However, a significant breach of confidentiality has damaged the child’s relationships with staff and managers. The loss of trust has affected the child’s willingness to accept support from the staff. The child feels unsafe at the home and as a result their progress has declined.

p.3

improvement to be good

The child’s relationships with staff and managers have deteriorated following a staff practice error. Since then, there has been no reparation work carried out. This has left the child feeling isolated and despondent. This was identified as an area for development at the previous inspection and the requirement has been restated.

p.3

improvement to be good

Managers have not planned for the child’s emerging independence. The child is not motivated or encouraged by staff to participate in learning essential life skills. The child’s development and progress towards independence are not supported.

p.3

improvement to be good

The home is not warm or welcoming. Areas of the home require maintenance and repair following damage. The general upkeep is poor. The child does not feel settled at the home and has packed their belongings in boxes. The child’s bedroom has no furniture or storage facility and no personalised features. The child has moved their mattress into the living room, which has a broken sofa and no other furniture. There is no appropriate window covering for privacy. The home is not providing the child with any sense of permanence or belonging.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff understand the child’s health needs. Appointments have been made with appropriate services, however, the taff have been unable to take the child and home’s car is unreliable.. This has resulted in the child being discharged from the dental practice and not accessing the treatment required.

p.3

improvement to be good

Managers and staff promote education. The child has a suitable education provision in place and is supported and encouraged by staff to attend. This strengthens the child’s social and emotional growth.

p.3

improvement to be good

The child participates in daily activities. Staff are keen to learn about activities that the child enjoys. They participate in these with them. This helps to build the child’s self- esteem.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff know the child well and understand the child’s communication needs. Staff are adaptable and responsive. Staff encourage the child to share their thoughts and feelings. Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 4 The child is supported to keep in touch and spend time with people who are important to them. Managers and staff have formed good relationships with the child’s family members. This helps the child to maintain their sense of identity and to maintain meaningful relationships with the people who are important to them.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff have not been considerate or ensured confidentiality regarding highly sensitive personal information about the child. Two staff were overheard discussing the child by a child at another home. As a result, the child no longer trusts the staff. The child has asked to leave the home.

p.4

improvement to be good

The child has made a complaint which has been investigated by the manager. The child was informed of the outcome. However, they were not reassured and did not have their feelings validated. They requested that an independent person review the complaint, which has not happened. The child does not feel heard.

p.4

improvement to be good

The child has a deprivation of liberty order in place. The manager has not created a risk management plan to support staff’s understanding of how to manage the high staff ratio required by the order when in the community. This resulted in the child being unsupervised while shopping and being able to purchase medication which they used to self-harm.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staffing levels are appropriate, however, due to the declining emotional well-being of the child, the staff are physically tired. The escalation of some behaviours has meant that strategies that staff use are not always successful. The use of physical intervention has increased as a result. This has been necessary and proportionate. Following incidents of physical intervention, the manager conducts a debrief with the child and with the staff. During the debriefs, the child has made allegations about staff. The manager carries out investigations into staff practice and shares information with the child’s local authority. This provides a consistent response to the child’s concerns. Staff do not feel confident to manage the child’s behaviour. Staff regularly call the police for support. The child lacks confidence in the staff’s ability to keep them safe.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff attend a weekly reflective practice meeting facilitated by a psychologist. This ensures staff have consistent support and regular opportunities to learn.

p.4

improvement to be good

There is a detailed location risk assessment. Staff are aware of the potential risks in the locality and know how to keep the child safe. Senior managers communicated with appropriate agencies when the child was concerned about an individual in the local area, which supported the child to feel safe. Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 5

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The management of the home is ineffective. The registered manager also managed a second home run by the same provider. She based herself at the other home and was not visible or accessible at this home. The staff did not have consistent leadership, guidance or essential daily support for decision-making and care planning.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager has not been well supported by senior leaders in the organisation. They have not received regular supervision sessions since the last inspection. There has been a breakdown in relationships between the manager and senior managers. This resulted in the manager being isolated in the day-to-day running of the home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff do not feel confident in their roles. Staff require additional training to be able to meet the child’s individual needs. The manager has identified specific training that would provide staff with the necessary knowledge and skills. However, arrangements have not been made for staff to have the required training. Some staff have not completed their diplomas within the required time frame.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager has not completed a review of the quality of care provided for children within the required time frame. Feedback from the child or the child’s family has not been considered. This does not demonstrate the holistic analysis that is required for the development of care.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

All serious incidents are notified to Ofsted. However, notifications are not always completed promptly. This does not allow the regulator to have sufficient and timely oversight.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager has not kept the statement of purpose for the home up to date. It includes inaccurate information, and some details have been omitted. This means that Ofsted does not hold correct information about the staff currently working at the home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff supervision sessions are not consistent in quality. When staff have raised concerns in supervision, there has been no follow-up action. Staff do not feel listened to, that their concerns are validated or that they are supported by the manager.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager has failed to provide an induction plan for a member of staff in a senior role. The member of staff has not received the direction and continued guidance required to enable them to fulfil the duties of the role or to lead others.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager has a monitoring system in place, however, this is not kept up to date. Without up-to-date information, there is no accurate understanding of the areas that need to improve and develop or of any evolving safeguarding concerns. Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 6

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a) (2)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, managers must ensure appropriate restorative work is carried out between staff and children following any concluded investigations into concerns raised by children. 7 October 2025

p.6

Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care;

p.6

Requirement Due date

keep the children’s guide and the home’s complaints procedure under review and seek children’s comments before revising either document. (Regulation 7 (1)(a) (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(c)) 7 October 2025 Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 7 In particular, communicate with the child regularly while a complaint is being processed.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the children’s risk assessments should contain details of all identified risks for the children and strategies in place to minimise these. 7 October 2025

p.7

Requirement Due date

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.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.7

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; 7 October 2025 Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 8 demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.7

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.8

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)(b)(c)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the information recorded in the statement of purpose is accurate and up to date. 7 October 2025

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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—

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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. (Regulation 32 (3)(b) (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)) 7 October 2025 Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 9 The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

p.9

Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

p.9

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.9

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (2)(b)(vi)(vii)(c)(i)(ii))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the child has a plan to prepare them for independence.

p.9

Requirement Due date

Also, ensure that the home is maintained to a standard that is safe and provides a homely well-kept environment. 7 October 2025

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

p.9

Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

p.9

Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and The registered person must—

p.9

Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and 7 October 2025 Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 10 The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(b) (4)(a) (5))

p.9

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they involve the local authority and other relevant persons whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. They are also required by regulation 40 to notify placing authorities, Ofsted and other relevant persons about serious events. In particular, ensure Ofsted is informed without delay. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.4)

p.10

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: 2798449 11

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider: 24/7 Support UK Limited

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 81 Broadway, Peterborough PE1 4DA

p.11

Inspector

Sarah Cooper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2798449 12 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.11

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 . 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.12

Inspector

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

p.12

Inspector

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

p.12