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Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)

Children's home run by Penn Inspires Ltd

Inspected 2 Sept 2025 · URN 2569705

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Summary

What we read, and from where

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  • Group verified

    Penn Inspires Ltd

  • Inspection date verified

    2 Sept 2025

  • Inspectors verified

    Tonia Dubidat

  • Helped and protected verified

    Good

  • Leadership and management verified

    Good

  • Overall effectiveness verified

    Good

  • Name on report verified

    2569705

  • URN verified

    2569705

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2024.

  • OverallGood
  • Helped and protectedGood
  • Leadership and managementGood

70% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (12,716 inspections).

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+63Positivemore positive than 80% of reports of this type graded Good
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

In line with other reports of this type graded Good.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praisepositivenurturingstrongeffectiveeffectivelyconsistentclearsafe
Criticismconcernsat riskseriouslylimitedabsencemissednot effective

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsAbout the inspectionWhat needs to improve positive critical
  • Findings1149w+69
  • What needs to improve149w−50

Strengths

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Concerns

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Next steps

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What the report dwells on

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Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
8
Words of findings
1,279
about usual (typical 1319)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 35, typical 51
Average sentence
17 words
Next steps
4
typical 4
Hedged sentences
0%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 69%What needs to improve 9%About the inspection 22%

Full report text

Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 1 Registered provider: Penn Inspires Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company and provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. Both children spoke with the inspector.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2021 and is suitably qualified. The manager is also registered to manage another children’s home within the company.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 17 December 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/12/2024 Full Good 11/07/2023 Full Good 30/05/2022 Full Good 14/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are settled and benefit from consistent, nurturing care provided by a committed and stable staff team. For one child, this continuity has led to measurable progress across key areas, including their emotional well-being, behaviour, education and social development. Although the other child’s progress has been more limited and safeguarding concerns have increased, staff have responded appropriately and continue to work with external agencies to manage risks and support the child’s needs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive regular verbal praise and recognition, which supports their emotional development and self-esteem. Staff use rewards to promote positive behaviour and to reinforce individual achievements. In addition to verbal encouragement, small incentives are used appropriately to motivate and engage children. This structured approach to positive reinforcement reflects the staff team’s commitment to nurturing relationships and creating a supportive environment in which children feel valued.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Consequences are used only when necessary to support reflection and learning following incidents of unwanted behaviour. This approach is generally effective in promoting accountability; when it is less effective, staff remain committed to supporting children through consistent boundaries and restorative approaches. They continue to explore alternative strategies to promote meaningful behavioural change.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to engage positively with education and make progress in line with their individual abilities and needs. For one child, this is particularly significant, as they have returned to school on a full timetable. This supports children to achieve improved educational outcomes.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and has recently been redecorated, creating a warm, welcoming and child-friendly environment. Thoughtful touches, such as decorative wall decals and photos, contribute to a homely atmosphere. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and provide comfortable, nurturing spaces that promote a strong sense of belonging and emotional security.

p.3

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

Managers take all allegations seriously and respond swiftly and appropriately. Robust procedures ensure that concerns are thoroughly investigated and that relevant information is promptly shared with safeguarding partners to protect children. Children are informed of the outcomes in a way that is appropriate to their age and level of understanding, which helps them feel listened to and supported.

p.3

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

Incidents of children going missing from the home are managed effectively. Staff respond promptly and follow agreed protocols, including notifying relevant agencies and conducting return home interviews when required. Risk assessments are regularly Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 4 reviewed and updated to reflect emerging concerns, providing staff with clear guidance. Staff work closely with external professionals to ensure a coordinated and child-centred response that prioritises children’s safety and well-being. Positive relationships between staff and children support the early identification of triggers, with the aim of reducing the frequency of episodes of going missing from the home.

p.3

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

Since the last inspection, there have been no recorded incidents or physical interventions, indicating that unwanted behaviour is being managed effectively. The absence of incidents reflects the success of the home’s proactive and nurturing approach to behaviour management.

p.4

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

Room searches are carried out in line with the home’s safeguarding policy and are conducted respectfully and proportionately. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the balance between promoting children’s privacy and ensuring their safety. Searches are well documented, with clear rationale and outcomes recorded. Children are informed of the reasons for searches and their views are sought and considered. This approach contributes to a safe environment while maintaining trust and transparency.

p.4

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

Learning has been taken from a historical incident relating to a child’s health. Robust and well-established systems are in place for the safe storage and administration of medication. These procedures are now consistently followed by staff, ensuring that children’s health needs are met safely and effectively.

p.4

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

In respect of the premises, staff demonstrate a clear understanding of their responsibilities in maintaining a safe environment, and children are supported to understand and follow safety routines. The home is clean, well maintained and free from hazards, providing a safe and secure living space.

p.4

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

The location risk assessment does not consider whether any vulnerable child may be at risk of child criminal exploitation. This is a significant omission, as such assessments are essential for identifying and mitigating potential risks. The absence of this analysis limits the effectiveness of the risk assessment in informing safeguarding practice and multi- agency planning.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders are committed to ensuring that children have positive experiences and achieve good outcomes. The manager maintains a strong and visible presence within the home, providing clear direction and effective oversight of day-to-day practice. They work collaboratively with external professionals and advocate for children so that their needs are prioritised. This child-centred approach contributes to a nurturing and well-managed environment in which children feel safe, supported and valued.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is sufficiently staffed to meet the needs of the children. Staffing levels are consistent and ensure that children receive appropriate supervision, support and care at all times. This contributes to a stable and safe environment for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 5 Staff feel well supported in their roles. They describe a positive team culture, strong leadership and clear communication across the home. Staff feel valued and confident in their ability to meet the needs of the children. This positive feedback reflects a stable and motivated workforce that provides consistent and nurturing care to children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision, which provides a consistent space in which to reflect on the needs of children and the day-to-day running of the home. Supervision is used effectively to address practice issues and maintain accountability. However, it is not routinely used to further enhance staff’s learning and professional development or the quality of care provided.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are held regularly and provide a consistent forum for staff to discuss the practical running of the home. These meetings ensure that day-to-day operations are well coordinated and that staff are informed of any changes or updates. As the focus is largely on logistical matters, there are missed opportunities to strengthen the reflective and developmental aspects of these meetings to further enhance practice and improve outcomes for children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External professionals consistently provide positive feedback about the care provided to children and the safeguarding practices in the home. They highlight strong communication, effective multi-agency working and the staff team’s commitment to meeting the individual needs of children. Professionals say that staff are proactive, responsive and child focused in their approach. Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 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 registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard).

p.6

Requirement Due date

When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1) (2))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location, along with strategies for managing these. This includes consideration of risks such as child criminal exploitation. 3 November 2025

p.6

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: 2569705 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 196 Coalway Road, Wolverhampton WV3 7NH

p.7

Inspector

Tonia Dubidat, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2569705 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.

p.7

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.8

Inspector

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Inspector

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

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