Children's Home run by Orchard Children Homes Ltd in Derbyshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680525 1 Registered provider: Orchard Children Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s position has been vacant since May 2024. A new manager has been recruited and has applied to become registered.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Inspection date: 9 September 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 9 September 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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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: 2680525 2

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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.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making progress in the home. One child is engaged in an apprenticeship that reflects their interests and is working towards independence. Another child, who had previously been out of education, is being supported well to re-engage with learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Conditions in the home have improved since the last inspection. The home feels more welcoming and there is clear evidence of children’s presence, including pictures and artwork being displayed.

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Findings from the inspection

Relationships between the children have also improved. Staff have facilitated mediation and have involved children in discussions about how to strengthen their relationship. This work has had a positive impact.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children effectively to achieve greater independence. One child is making progress towards the reduction of a restrictive court order. This includes increased opportunities to spend time away from the home independently, which they are managing well.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk assessments are being strengthened. One child has a comprehensive and up- to-date assessment in place, while another child’s assessment is currently being updated. These capture known risks, identify behaviour triggers and set out strategies to support children effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

Complaints are managed well. The acting manager responds promptly to any concerns raised by children and ensures they are satisfied with the outcome. This promotes children’s confidence in the complaints process.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical interventions are also well managed. For one child, the frequency of such incidents has significantly reduced. Debriefs with the child now take place consistently, enabling reflection and learning. Recording of incidents has improved, demonstrating the acting manager’s commitment to maintaining safe practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The newly recruited manager is enthusiastic and committed to developing the home. They have submitted their application to become registered with the regulator and have already begun to implement positive changes.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff report no concerns about the running of the home. Although the service has experienced a period of change, including the appointment of a new manager, there is now a sense of stability within the team.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, systems to support staff have strengthened. Regular supervision is in place and training has been completed, with further training for Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680525 3 new staff scheduled. Team meetings are held consistently, with input from the home’s clinical psychologist, providing staff with strategies to manage children’s behaviours effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

Overall, the progress made since the last inspection has been sufficient, with leaders and managers demonstrating the capacity to sustain and build on these improvements.

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Findings from the inspection

Progress has been made against the previously set requirements and recommendations. One requirement has been restated and will be reviewed at the next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680525 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/08/2024 Full Good 27/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680525 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 complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality-of-care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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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

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the required report is produced and sent to the regulator once every six months. 10 November

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680525 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Orchard Children Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, 118 Calais Road, Burton-on-Trent DE13 0UW

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Inspector

Lauren Barwell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680525 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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