Children's Home run by Homecare Unique Limited in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2821645 1 Registered provider: Homecare Unique Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home was registered on 24 April 2025. The registered manager was also registered at this time.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of the monitoring visit.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At the full inspection on 23 July 2025, inspectors identified serious and widespread concerns. Ofsted issued compliance notices that required the provider to ensure that the home is properly managed and conducted in a way that keeps children safe. The purpose of this visit was to monitor progress in meeting the compliance notices served. The inspector also reviewed the actions taken by the provider in response to the requirements raised at the last inspection.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children’s risk assessments have been subject to a full review; they now provide staff with sufficient information regarding risks and the strategies required to manage these risks.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Independent visits are taking place regularly in line with regulations; the manager has ensured that the necessary consents are in place for the independent person to access full records.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) has been reviewed in consultation with the placing authority and the child. Appropriate consents are now in place and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2821645 2 remain under regular review. The CCTV policy, however, does not fully or accurately reflect current practice.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The manager and staff are not clear on the methods by which the child’s voice, wishes and feelings are captured or responded to. The child is not regularly consulted or given opportunities to provide feedback on the home or the quality of the care being provided.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager is submitting notifications to the regulator in line with the regulations. There is some improvement to the recording of physical interventions; however, the manager has failed to have the necessary oversight of debriefs of staff and the child, and these debriefs have not consistently taken place or been recorded.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Tailored training has been identified to upskill the staff team. Most staff have completed this and plans are in place for completion by the remaining staff. It is too recent for the manager to fully monitor the effectiveness of the training. The manager has revised staff supervision practice to include checks on their understanding of safeguarding responsibilities. The frequency and process of supervision are now understood by staff, although this practice has yet to embed.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have not addressed all the concerns regarding fire safety in the home. Portable fire equipment is not located in the relevant areas identified in the home’s fire risk assessment.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The home’s statement of purpose, workforce development plan and some policies remain under review by the manager.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have been working through an action plan to rectify the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. Despite some progress being evident, the requirements stated in the compliance notices have only been partially met. Therefore, these compliance notices have been reissued. Some requirements raised at the last inspection remain; these requirements are therefore restated.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/07/2025 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2821645 3

p.2

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 with the given timescales.

p.3

Requirement Due date

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

p.3

Requirement Due date

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

p.3

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.3

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.3

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

p.3

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(vii)(b)(d))

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that managers have oversight of any use of physical intervention, including recording practices; children and adults are given access to debriefs following any incidents; and the recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children. 17 October 2025

p.3

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.3

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 17 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2821645 4 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.3

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.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

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;

p.4

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.4

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

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)(c)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

p.4

Requirement Due date

leaders and managers understand the children’s homes regulations and that the home is run in line with regulatory requirements;

p.4

Requirement Due date

managers monitor and support staff development through access to training and supervision;

p.4

Requirement Due date

the home has an up-to-date and accurate workforce development plan;

p.4

Requirement Due date

managers learn from serious incidents and use this to inform future planning; and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2821645 5 there are identifiable ways to capture the voice of children living in the home.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.5

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 6 (1)(a) (2(a)(b)(i)) 17 October 2025

p.5

Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

p.5

Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)) 17 October 2025

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

p.5

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 17 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2821645 6 *These requirements are subject of a compliance notice.

p.5

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.6

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2821645 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Olumide Akinfaderin

p.7

Inspector

Cassie Martin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2821645 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

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8