Children's Home run by See Happy Homes Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2818766 1 Registered provider: See Happy Homes 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 home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to two children with emotional and social difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection. The child contributed to the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager. The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2818766 2

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improvement to be good

Relationships between the child and staff have not always been positive. However, these have recently started to improve. A child said, ‘I have had arguments with staff, but basically most of them are alright.’

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improvement to be good

The child’s care plan is clear and detailed. However, actions in the plan have not always been followed by staff. This is particularly linked to behaviours that are difficult to manage.

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improvement to be good

A section of the care plan addresses the child’s health. Also, there is a chronology recording all health contacts and appointments. Several appointments have not been kept because the child refused to attend these appointments. The manager and staff have arranged for the child to have additional support with their mental health.

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improvement to be good

The child has not been in full-time education for some time. This predates the child moving to the home. There has been minimal progress with the child accessing some limited learning opportunities. A small amount of home tutoring has been provided in addition to some equine therapy sessions. The lack of educational progress for the child requires addressing to ensure that the child gets onto a positive educational pathway.

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improvement to be good

There are good one-to-one sessions between the child and staff. These sessions cover important issues for the child. The child can express his opinions, wishes and feelings clearly. These meetings also help the child and staff to develop their relationships, and this is key to helping the child to start making progress.

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improvement to be good

The child chooses to not engage with activities with staff in the community. Staff support the child to see friends and family. There are minimal structured activities to help the child learn, develop and take part in the local community. This requires some improvement to prevent the child becoming socially isolated.

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improvement to be good

There are concerns regarding the child’s use of substances. This includes use of illegal drugs and vapes. This is both while in the community with friends and in the home. On occasions, staff have not dealt with this appropriately. The manager has sourced support for the child regarding substance misuse. A specialist youth drug and alcohol practitioner visits the home to give the child advice and support.

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improvement to be good

There are concerns regarding the child’s online activity. Staff do not make checks of the child’s phone. However, the manager has added appropriate parental controls to the internet access. This helps to prevent the child from accessing inappropriate sites on the Inspection report for children’s home: 2818766 3 internet. A child exploitation social worker also supports the child to educate and divert the child away from these harmful behaviours.

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improvement to be good

There is a positive behaviour support plan for the child. This includes an assessment of known risks and vulnerabilities relating to the child. The manager records triggers and indicators and identifies preventative methods and actions. However, staff have not always followed the guidance within the plan. Staff have not always been skilled or confident in challenging behaviour which may challenge.

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improvement to be good

The manager takes any allegations and complaints seriously. External safeguarding professionals are appropriately involved and ensure that the appropriate procedures are followed. The child also receives the support needed during any investigations. The manager clearly records actions taken and outcomes.

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improvement to be good

The child has gone missing from the home. Staff follow a clear procedure when this occurs. This includes informing the police when appropriate. The child is supported by staff when returning to the home. Episodes of the child being missing have reduced recently.

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

The manager knows the child well and she is a reflective manager who is positive about the child. She can analyse the child’s needs and behaviours based on previous and more recent trauma and incidents. However, this understanding is not fully shared by staff or evident within the care practice of staff.

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

The manager knows the strengths of the staff and areas that require improvement. She is open about the learning and development that is required. She is arranging further training for staff on the de-escalation of more worrying incidents. She also plans to introduce trauma informed practice to the team to help develop their care practice.

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

The manager has not had the support she needs from previous leaders in the organisation. This has included not having one-to-one supervisions. This has now improved with a new responsible individual coming into post. The manager feels well supported now.

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

Staff receive a comprehensive induction programme. Staff say they feel prepared for their role. This includes training and introductions to policies, procedures and plans. However, the manager is not ensuring that all staff sign updates to plans.

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

Staff have one-to-one supervisions with the manager or deputy manager. They take place regularly. The manager has recognised that these are not yet reflective sessions. A new template has been developed to help these to become learning opportunities for staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2818766 4 Team meetings take place monthly. Staff can raise any issues or concerns. These are not developmental for staff at present. The manager plans to include learning circles and team debriefs of incidents, to develop consistent practice.

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

Quality assurance systems are used by the manager. Plans and reports are checked regularly. Analysis and reflective comments are added to incident reports. The manager spends time talking to the child. She also observes staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2818766 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

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)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to staff being skilled and confident in challenging and dealing with inappropriate and risky behaviour. 30 November 2025

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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 have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to ensuring that staff have the skills to follow the child’s plan with regards to the child’s health and safety, especially with regards to substance misuse and online safety. 30 November 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; and promotes their welfare. 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2818766 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to team meetings and supervisions developing staff practice and a consistent approach to understanding and managing the child’s unwanted behaviours.

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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

This specifically refers to keeping the statement of purpose updated and revised versions sent to Ofsted. 30 November 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards,’ page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that, in line with their individual health plans and the ethos of the home, children are offered advice, support and guidance on health and well-being. Staff should have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to help children understand, and, where necessary, work to change negative behaviours in key areas of health and well-being such as, but not limited to, nutrition and healthy diet, exercise, mental health, sexual relationships, sexual health, contraception and use of legal highs, drugs, alcohol and tobacco. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 35, paragraph 7.18)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that where children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or are not on a school roll for some other reason, the registered person and staff must work closely with the Inspection report for children’s home: 2818766 7 placing authority so that the child is supported and enabled to resume full-time education as soon as possible. In the interim, the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)

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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: 2818766 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: See Happy Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 20 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GU

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Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2818766 9 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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Inspector

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