Children's Home run by GAC Family Services Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2748501 1 Registered provider: GAC Family Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider. It offers care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2023.

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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 good

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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: 18 December 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2748501 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/12/2024 Full Good 14/03/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2748501 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, three children have moved into the home, and three children have moved out. The inspector spoke with the child living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff know the child well and speak fondly about him. The child spoke warmly about the staff and said, ‘They are all my favourites.’ The child has meaningful relationships with staff and is happy living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A parent is impressed with the care provided by staff. Staff help children to have meaningful relationships with their families. The manager goes above and beyond to help parents with personal issues. She understands that being supportive to parents helps them focus on their relationships with their children. As a result, children have improved relationships with family members who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children with complex health and hygiene needs are treated with compassion and sensitivity. With staff’s support, a child with complex personal hygiene needs has made significant progress, resulting in increased self-esteem and dignity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff hold education in high regard. One child, who did not attend school before moving to the home, attended school full time before she moved on. The child living at the home has made significant progress with education. He has sat his GCSEs and is now enjoying college. Children make good progress with education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a range of activities. The child enjoys spending time with his friends in the home and out in the community. The child has enjoyed a driving experience. He has spent time with other children and adults doing different activities, including celebrating Jamaican Independence Day. The child has enjoyed a holiday in Belfast and at the seaside. Children benefit from fun and enriching experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children have moved on from the home. Whenever possible, moves are well planned. One child has successfully moved home to her family. Another child has been well prepared to move to a semi-independent home. On one occasion, such planning has not been possible for safety reasons. The manager has worked with professionals to provide important information to guide decisions about the child’s emerging care needs.

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

Children have sometimes been exposed to risky situations, despite the manager’s and staff’s best efforts. A social worker is impressed with staff’s ability to safeguard children. The child feels safe at the home, and staff have received appropriate safeguarding training. Inspection report for children’s home: 2748501 4 The manager understands the importance of strong multi-agency working. She regularly reviews risks with professionals to help keep children safe.

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

There have been a high number of missing-from-home incidents. The staff manage these well and work closely with the police. The manager recognised that one child was going missing from home to spend time with friends. She worked with the child and social worker to encourage safe friendships. This has led to a notable decrease in missing-from-home incidents.

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

Staff have important conversations with children about issues such as sexual health, substance misuse and safety. The conversations are delivered in a kind and non- judgemental manner. Because of this approach, children talk openly with staff and have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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

One child was at risk of being criminalised. Staff have encouraged the child to work with the youth offending team voluntarily. The child is proud that he has been selected to receive training to help mentor children and avoid criminalisation. The police have not intervened for several months.

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

At the time of this inspection, a recent and serious incident had occurred, resulting in minimal fire damage to property. Staff failed to evacuate on several occasions when the fire alarm sounded. Lack of information in the incident report makes it difficult to assess some staff responses to the incident. However, once they discovered the damage, the staff took appropriate action to ensure the child’s safety. The child was unharmed; however, failing to follow fire procedures could leave children at risk. The manager has planned a thorough review of the incident.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The children and staff benefit from having an experienced, caring and dedicated manager. The manager has a relevant managerial qualification. A competent deputy manager supports her.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff said they feel valued, respected and empowered by the manager. Staff receive good-quality and regular supervision. The manager is dedicated to developing the staff. This support helps to create a stable and resilient staff team that can provide excellent care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive good-quality face-to-face training. The staff hold either a relevant level 3 or 4 diploma or are working towards it within agreed timescales. Staff have a good understanding of how to meet the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A social worker is happy with the care provided by the manager and staff. The social worker is confident in the staff’s ability and is impressed with the relationships the manager and staff have with the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2748501 5 The monthly reports prepared by the independent person are of good quality. They suggest actions to help improve the quality of care. The independent person includes feedback from children, staff and professionals. However, parents are rarely consulted. Opportunities for gathering important feedback could be missed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager carries out a six-monthly review of the home. The report is generally good quality. However, one report has been delayed and not sent to Ofsted within the necessary time frame. The most recent report includes minimal feedback from others and no feedback from parents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s record-keeping is generally good. Records are generally clear and concise. However, staff training and supervision records are inaccurate. Inspection report for children’s home: 2748501 6

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff follow fire evacuation procedures. 18 December 2025

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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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential;

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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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that: the independent person’s reports include feedback from parents; the home’s records and children’s records are detailed and good quality; and the six- 18 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2748501 7 monthly review is carried out within the necessary time frame and includes feedback from relevant individuals.

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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: 2748501 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: GAC Family Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 29a, The Link, 49 Effra Road, London SW2 1BZ

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2748501 9 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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Inspector

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