Children's Home run by Anima Residential Care Limited in Bexley

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2797308 1 Registered provider: Anima Residential Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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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 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: 2797308 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

Since the last full inspection in April 2025, one child has moved in and one child has moved on from the home. At the time of this visit, one child was living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has been refurbished, creating a welcoming and nurturing environment. Bedrooms have been updated with new furniture, and children are supported to personalise their spaces to help them feel settled.

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Findings from the inspection

Admissions are carefully managed. Thorough pre-admission and impact assessments ensure that children’s needs are considered, and placement planning provides staff with the information needed to meet those needs from the outset. Children’s views are actively sought, and they are supported to contribute to decisions about their care.

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Findings from the inspection

Education and learning are prioritised. When children are not in school, staff arrange alternative opportunities, such as sports, arts and clubs, to build confidence, develop skills and support a return to structured learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are registered with healthcare providers and supported to attend regular appointments. Where specialist health services are needed, the manager demonstrates persistence in ensuring that these services are accessed to inform planning for children’s care.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding arrangements are effective. Risks, including those within the community, are well assessed and managed. Clear, individualised and updated risk assessments and plans with identified actions help to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Management oversight is evident when any serious or significant incidents occur. Actions are targeted and completed, and children’s plans are updated accordingly.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have taken effective action to address the shortfalls that previously resulted in a judgement of requires improvement. Two of the three requirements set at the last inspection have been met, and all three recommendations have been satisfactorily addressed. One requirement remains outstanding in relation to the independent visitor, and this requirement is repeated.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are well supported through access to mandatory and specialist training, equipping them to meet children’s complex needs. They also benefit from regular supervision and therapeutic support. Supervision provides space to reflect on practice and explore children’s needs in depth. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2797308 3 The senior leadership team has reflected on placement endings to inform practice. Leaders recognise this could be strengthened further through a formal lessons learned process, enabling leaders to consider more fully the reasons for placement breakdowns and apply this learning to service development.

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Findings from the inspection

This assurance visit confirms that leaders and managers have made tangible and meaningful progress in addressing the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2797308 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2797308 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 registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the reports should include the oversight of the registered manager and responsible individual and be submitted to Ofsted in a timely manner. 31 October 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2797308 6 This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2797308 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Anima Residential Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 50 Holmleigh Avenue, Dartford DA1 5AS

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Inspector

Jenny-Ellen Scotland, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2797308 8 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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