Children's home run by Here and Now Children’s Services Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808730 1 Registered provider: Here and Now Children’s Services 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 privately operated provider. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home, and both children were spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s statement of purpose highlights that the staff are trained to apply a specific model of care.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024. The manager is on a period of extended leave. Suitable arrangements are in place to cover the manager’s absence.

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Inspection date: 5 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: 2808730 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

Ofsted carried out the inspection following concerns being raised from an anonymous source. Concerns centred on the care of the children and issues associated with how the home was being run. Although the inspection did not substantiate the concerns raised, shortfalls in practice were noted that require action.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have been challenged around seeking viable solutions to meet both children’s needs. However, there is a collective desire to do right by each child. Although there have been several incidents in the home, leaders and managers have ensured that the home is sufficiently staffed to support each child effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

Information-sharing with significant people involved in the children’s lives has been good. Importantly, the team has communicated its concerns to the children effectively. In doing so, despite ongoing challenges, this has prevented unnecessary anxiety from the children and enabled professionals to plan effectively for both children.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have not supported staff effectively enough to better manage aspects of the children’s behaviour. Worryingly, some of these issues have involved typical teenage behaviours that should have been foreseen and better managed. Consequently, poor planning has resulted in some issues unnecessarily escalating. Additionally, in some instances, staff have unnecessarily called the police to the home to manage the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders’ and managers’ oversight of incidents involving children is inconsistent. Furthermore, in the interim manager’s absence, there is a lack of accountability around evaluating staff responses to incidents that involve children. Moreover, Ofsted has not been notified of all significant incidents. Consequently, in these instances, the regulator has not been able to form a view and respond accordingly.

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Findings from the inspection

New staff have not had timely access to specific training, noted as being necessary in the home’s statement of purpose. This has created an over-reliance on more experienced staff to support children who are in a state of agitation and crisis.

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Findings from the inspection

A recommendation that was raised during the previous full inspection will be carried forward. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808730 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/04/2025 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808730 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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) (2)(a)(b)(c)(e)(h)) 15 October 2025

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)) 15 October 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; 15 October 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808730 5 there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e))

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff add to the children’s written records using language that is meaningful for the children. In particular, the daily logs, daily summaries and the home’s key-work records should be helpful to the child, particularly in later years. Additionally, the children’s written records should better help them understand how staff are supporting them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808730 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Here and Now Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Catherine Hodgson

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Inspector

Steve Guirey, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808730 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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