Children's home run by Five Rivers Child Care Limited in Wiltshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC001452 1 SC001452 Registered provider: Five Rivers Chid Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately operated. It provides care for up to six children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. It is a therapeutic home that seeks to reintegrate children into the most appropriate living arrangements following their stay.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The children attend an on-site school that holds a separate registration with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 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 outstanding

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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: 14 October 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit on 3 December 2025. At this visit compliance notice under regulation 13 (leadership and management) was met. Significant progress was made leading to a good overall judgement of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC001452 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/10/2024 Full Inadequate 20/02/2024 Full Outstanding 25/01/2023 Full Outstanding 22/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC001452 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

During the inspection, the inspector spoke with both children living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is a warm and nurturing home. The environment is child focused, with a range of thoughtfully designed play areas, toys, and outdoor spaces, including a mud kitchen in the home’s allotment. One social worker commented, ‘The home is so child friendly; it feels lovely being there.’ The sounds of laughter and play fill the home, demonstrating the children’s sense of safety and enjoyment. Staff interact with the children with warmth, patience and attentiveness.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has lived at the home since before the last inspection. This has given them stability and a strong sense of security. They have made progress in all areas of their life. They enjoy attending school and are making strides in their education. Their health needs are fully met, and they have developed a deeper understanding of the world.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Thoughtful planning has supported one child’s move to the home. Both children were involved in this process. This has helped the child already living at the home to feel included and valued. The children were helped to get to know each other through sharing photos, video calls, play dates and visits to the home. As a result, both children have adjusted well to this significant change in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Meaningful conversations are held with the children and are carefully recorded. While some newer members of staff are still developing these skills, experienced staff communicate in a child-friendly way that will remain helpful to the children if they choose to revisit these records later in life. These documents help children understand what was happening for them at the time and demonstrate that staff cared for and valued them. It is clear from these records that the staff do what they can to help children learn and develop.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is clear recognition of the importance of promoting different cultures and helping each child to understand and take pride in their identity. This is embedded naturally in daily life through resources such as books by authors from diverse ethnic backgrounds, dolls with different skin tones, and recognising various faiths. Staff have conversations with children’s families to better understand what is important to each child. Managers and staff are committed to further developing these opportunities to ensure that children’s cultural identities are fully supported.

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

Children feel safe, whether they have lived in the home for a long time or have recently moved in. This is due to the consistent care and patience shown by staff. Children are not left feeling anxious if they feel they have done something wrong. Instead, they are Inspection report for children’s home: SC001452 4 supported in working through difficult situations in ways they can understand. This helps children to develop a sense of safety and belonging.

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

Children are open about their feelings and often seek support from staff to help make sense of their emotions. Staff respond with empathy, providing a safe space for children to express themselves. Children are helped to manage strong emotions through consistent support and simple coping strategies. This helps them build emotional resilience and better understand their experiences.

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

Children are learning to get along with one another, and they both benefit from this shared experience. Although children sometimes have disagreements, staff help them to repair their relationship and move on positively. Staff help children learn important skills, such as saying ‘sorry’. These skills are essential for children’s emotional growth and to help them build stronger friendships.

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

Restrictive physical intervention is only used when necessary to keep children and others safe. Following incidents, children and staff are spoken with. There is a focus on reflection and learning for all involved. Given their young age, the children appropriately perceive the strategy as a hold rather than a physical intervention. Follow-up conversations help children understand that this is done for their safety and because staff care about their well-being.

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

Staff know the children well and understand how to keep them safe. Risk assessments are clear and include straightforward strategies for staff to follow. As a result, staff respond confidently and consistently to risks, helping children feel safe and well supported in their daily lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager embodies the therapeutic ethos of the home and leads with genuine warmth, passion and love. She speaks about the children with deep affection and a strong sense of responsibility, consistently advocating to ensure that they receive the highest standard of care and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager acknowledges the importance of investing in staff to maintain and continually improve the quality of care provided to children. Her strong and respectful leadership has created a positive and supportive team culture. Staff are highly committed to the children, the home, and one another. As a result, children benefit from a team of staff who are motivated, consistent, and genuinely happy in their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a driving force in ensuring that children receive the very best care. She understands the importance of children forming positive attachments with the staff who care for them. As part of the recruitment process, she has introduced ‘All About Me’ books, which staff complete to help children get to know them. She acknowledges that some staff move on or change roles, and these transitions are celebrated with the children. The ‘invisible thread’ theory is used to help children maintain a sense of connection with staff members who leave the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC001452 5 Staff speak positively about the support they receive, describing supervision sessions as ‘reflective’ and ‘helpful’. The manager integrates relevant research and theory into these sessions, ensuring that they are purposeful and focused on professional growth. This approach enables staff to continuously enhance their skills and understanding, which in

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

turn directly benefits the children by improving the support and interactions they receive. Regular supervision sessions for staff also create an open culture where they feel valued, supported and motivated to provide the highest standard of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals report that the therapeutic parenting model is well embedded in the home. Clear boundaries, reflection and learning are well balanced throughout the home. Staff consistency in practice is one of the home’s greatest strengths, driven by the manager’s leadership. One professional commented, ‘The manager and staff are so supportive in helping the children reflect. They genuinely help the children in this way; the children are reflective because the manager and staff model this.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were raised following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC001452 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: SC001452 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Five Rivers Chid Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 47 Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Elworthy

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Inspector

Jo Birtwhistle, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC001452 8 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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