Children's Home run by Promoting Youth Ltd in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2780237 1 Registered provider: Promoting Youth Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: At the last inspection, Ofsted issued compliance notices under how children regulation 12 how children are helped and protected and regulation 13 the leadership and management of the home. Two compliance notices were issued with a restriction of accommodation. A monitoring visit on 21 August 2025 identified that the steps in both notices had not fully been met. The restriction of accommodation remained, and a further compliance notice was issued. The outstanding compliance steps were reviewed as part of this full inspection. These steps have been met, and the restriction of accommodation has been lifted. Inspection report for children’s home: 2780237 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/07/2025 Full Inadequate 18/02/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2780237 3

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improvement to be good

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. The child spoke with the inspector. Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or out of the home.

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improvement to be good

The child has experienced a period of instability due to inconsistent management and several staff changes. This has led to inconsistent and conflicting staff practice. The child has not experienced enough stability or consistent care that underpins good progress.

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improvement to be good

Managers do not fully support the child to progress towards independence. The child does not learn or practise essential life skills. Staff have not provided a focused approach to support and encourage the child with independent development, delaying necessary progress.

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improvement to be good

The home is warm and welcoming. Staff keep the home clean and presentable. The child has personalised their bedroom and chosen soft furnishings around the home. This has provided the child with a sense of permanence and belonging.

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improvement to be good

Managers and staff understand the importance of the child’s family time. The child has been supported to spend time with a family member to celebrate their birthday. The manager planned this with the local authority and family. This demonstrates that the child’s wishes and feelings are listened to and that important family relationships are valued.

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improvement to be good

The child is provided with opportunities to experience a range of activities in line with their interests, such as horse riding and boxing lessons. Managers supported the child to attend a music concert in London that included their favourite artist. The child’s understanding of their likes and dislikes has developed and is reflected in their growing self-esteem and improved well-being.

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improvement to be good

The staff support and encourage the child’s education. The child has transitioned from school to further education after taking their exams.

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improvement to be good

Staff build positive relationships with professionals. All professionals spoken to were complimentary about the support and care provided. They said that the manager and staff advocate well for the child.

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improvement to be good

A significant safeguarding incident that occurred for the child has not been shared with Ofsted. This does not allow for regulatory oversight. This was identified as a shortfall at Inspection report for children’s home: 2780237 4 the previous inspection. Although this was managed effectively, it does not provide transparency or allow Ofsted oversight as required.

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improvement to be good

The child has developed positive and trusting relationships with the deputy manager and staff. The child said that while they have favourite members of staff, they trust everyone at the home and would feel able to share their worries with all staff.

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improvement to be good

Staff help the child to understand risks through conversations. The staff make referrals for specific support to other organisations. This has included work with the child in relation to social media, bullying and online safety. As a result, the child has been provided with a mobile phone and is being supported to use this safely.

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improvement to be good

There are few incidents at the home and staff have not needed to use physical intervention. This demonstrates that the child is increasingly settled.

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improvement to be good

The child was going missing from the home frequently. Since the last inspection, the child has had one missing-from-home incident. Staff were diligent in their efforts to try and find the child. Staff follow the missing-from-home protocol and liaised well with other professionals. When the child is away from the home, staff stay connected on the child’s mobile phone. The staff know the child’s whereabouts, as well as who they are with. This helps to keep the child safe.

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improvement to be good

Following incidents, the child and the staff have had timely debriefs with the deputy manager. All staff have been informed, in regular team meetings, of any learning to be gained from incidents so as to try and address inconsistency and improve the care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There is no manager is post, which has contributed to general instability and inconsistent staff practice. The home is currently being managed by the deputy manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The child has experienced several staffing changes and has not been provided with consistent care or support. Since the previous manager and deputy manager left in July 2025, there has not been a new manager appointed. There have been two deputy managers employed. Their management styles were inconsistent and conflicting. One deputy manager has moved on and one remains in post.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The deputy manager continues to support the staff team to understand and meet the needs of the child. All staff have been supported to complete multiple training sessions, including understanding attachment, complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and unconscious bias. This provides staff with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognise and respond appropriately to the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The appropriateness and suitability of the home’s location has not been considered in reference to other professional information or knowledge about the local area. A holistic assessment and analysis of the neighbourhood risk has not been undertaken. Inspection report for children’s home: 2780237 5 The review of the quality of care provided for children has not been shared with Ofsted, which does not allow for essential regulatory oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff have received supervision sessions and the quality of these is improving. The frequency of supervisions is not monitored. As a result, staff do not have consistent opportunities to reflect on their practice, discuss concerns or have their performance monitored.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff have had their performance appraised. However, although areas for improvement have been identified, no actions, goals or plans have been set. This does not support staff’s continued professional development or ensure improved quality of care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2780237 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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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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

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child’s needs;

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Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(b)(iii)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, provide a clear, succinct plan to ensure that staff are aware of the child’s needs and vulnerabilities. The plan should support the child to progress to independent living. 1 January 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (1) (4)(c)) 1 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2780237 7 In particular, ensure that staff have goals and an action plan to encourage their continued professional development.

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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 any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report").

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5)) 1 January 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12 (2)(c) (the protection of children standard). 1 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2780237 8 When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1) (2))

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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; and

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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

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. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f)) 1 January 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)-(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e)) (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2780237 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Promoting Youth Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Phoenix House C/O JP Accountancy, Phoenix House, Rosslyn Crescent, Harrow HA1 2SP

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Inspector

Sarah Cooper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2780237 10 regulates and inspects 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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