Children's Home run by 24/7 Support UK Limited in Peterborough

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 1 Registered provider: 24/7 Support UK Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered with Ofsted in August 2024 and is privately run.

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Information about this children’s home

It provides care for up to two children who 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 in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left in August 2025. A new manager is in post. They have not applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

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: 2798449 2

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Findings from the inspection

We identified serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care and protection of children at this assurance inspection:

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Findings from the inspection

 The child’s physical health needs are not being met.

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Findings from the inspection

 Staff do not have the right training to support the child’s individual needs.

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Findings from the inspection

 The child’s plans fail to inform staff who provided inconsistent responses to the child, at times leaving the child at risk of harm.

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Findings from the inspection

 The environment is not safe and there are evident hazards.

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Findings from the inspection

 Physical interventions were not appropriately reviewed to assess their proportionality.

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Findings from the inspection

 The manager’s review of incidents did not identify safeguarding concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

This inspection was brought forward to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

The child has a number of complex physical needs and emotional health challenges that can affect their safety and well-being. The child’s plans do not provide enough direction for staff to support the child. Staff provide inconsistent responses to the child, which affect their safety.

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Findings from the inspection

The child uses specialist equipment to help meet their health needs. Only a small number of staff have had training in how to use the equipment. There are no instructions or information provided to staff about the equipment or how they can support the child to use it. Health professionals raised concerns to the local authority that poor staff practice could lead to the child getting an infection as the equipment was not being used effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

On two occasions, staff have used high-level physical interventions with the child. The rationale for these interventions is not proportionate, and there is no plan in place for when they should be used. Staff said that they have received training on how to use high-level physical intervention but there was no clear evidence of this in their training records. The child’s views were not sought after these interventions. The manager has used language that is child blaming in the review of the incidents. She has also not assessed the proportionality of the intervention. This does not provide adequate safeguards for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

The environment is not safe or nurturing. There were multiple hazardous items seen around the house, such as paint and tools. This was discussed with managers on several occasions during the inspection; however, no immediate action was taken to Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 3 remove the hazards. The child’s access to areas of the house was limited, and the house did not have a homely feel.

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Findings from the inspection

There are some concerns of child exploitation. Staff have not managed these incidents in an informed way. Staff did not prevent the child from going out to meet with unknown people despite having the ability to do so. The child is subject to a court order that allows doors at the home to be locked when necessary. Staff did not try to stop the child from leaving even in the middle of the night. This does not provide the child with reassurance that staff care about them and want to keep them safe.

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Findings from the inspection

The child has made allegations against two members of staff. These have been investigated. One member of staff remains off work, and one member of staff has returned to work. There has not been any restorative work between the child and staff member to promote positive relationships.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has evaluated the incidents that have taken place. However, the evaluations focus heavily on the child’s behaviour. The manager has failed to identify the issues with staff practice and the ongoing safeguarding concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers did not advocate strongly enough to ensure that all aspects of care were suitable for the child and their needs were being met.

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Findings from the inspection

As a result of the serious and widespread concerns identified, the registration of the home has been suspended. Compliance notices have been served. Not all requirements from the last inspection were explored. These have been restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/08/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/01/2025 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 5

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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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)(iii)(v)(vi)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

that staff are skilled at recognising safeguarding matters; 31 October 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 6 that risk assessments provide staff with clear strategies on how to support children when they exhibit unsafe behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

that managers and staff understand the requirements and expectations placed upon them in fulfilling risk assessments;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises are fit for purpose and all hazards are removed in a timely manner.

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

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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;

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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)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that leaders and managers are skilled at identifying safeguarding matters and that these are responded to effectively, involving safeguarding partners when required.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff receive crucial training, advocating for this where necessary, particularly for specialist areas such as medical health issues.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure, through effective monitoring and oversight, that risk assessments provide clear instructions for staff to take. 31 October 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 7 Ensure that leaders and managers identify when staff have not responded to risks in an appropriate way and that action is taken.

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a) (2)(a)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that plans and risk assessments include clear instructions for staff on how to manage medical devices. 31 October 2025

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

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Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

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Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child).

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b) (2))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that records provide clear details of the rationale for restraints and that where appropriate rationale is not made clear, managers explore this and involve safeguarding partners. 31 October 2025

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

mutual respect and trust. 31 October 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 8 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, managers must ensure appropriate restorative work is carried out between staff and children following any concluded investigations into concerns raised by children.

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the information recorded in the statement of purpose is accurate and up to date.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 31 October 2025

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform.

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years 31 October 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 9 after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home. (Regulation 32 (3)(b) (4)(a)(b) (5)(a))

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them 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

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(b) (2)(b)(iv)(vi)(vii)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the child has a plan to prepare them for independence.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the home is maintained to a standard that is safe and provides a homely well-kept environment.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure appropriate daily plans are in place for the child to encourage them to take part in activities.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff, leaders and managers understand the therapeutic model and embody this at all times. 31 October 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 10 This requirement is restated.

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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 feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it.

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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.

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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)(b) (4)(a) (5))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 31 October 2025

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: 24/7 Support UK Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 81 Broadway, Peterborough PE1 4DA

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Inspector

Hannah Phillips, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 12 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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