Children's Home run by Caring Hearts Homes Ltd in Harrow

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2826739 1 Registered provider: Caring Hearts Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to two children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, no children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 30 September 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 30 September 2025

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: 2826739 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

This inspection was carried out to address specific concerns or allegations received by Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have responded well to the outcome of the last inspection. They have implemented an action plan to address the requirements made.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has left the home. A new manager has been appointed and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home, and no new children have moved in. Staff supported the child in having a positive ending to their time at the home by creating a memory book, giving them their favourite cake and flowers, and presenting them with a card. These thoughtful gestures helped mark the child’s move in a meaningful and supportive way.

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Findings from the inspection

Allegations against staff members are managed appropriately. Leaders and managers appropriately report safeguarding concerns to the relevant agencies and take effective action to ensure that children are safeguarded.

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Findings from the inspection

The provider ensures that internal investigations are thorough and carried out in line with the home’s policies and procedures. Leaders and managers take appropriate action following these investigations to strengthen practice. Where relevant, concerns are addressed with staff during supervision sessions. To confirm their understanding of policies and procedures, staff are required to read and sign them. This demonstrates their awareness and accountability.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have established a plan with the virtual school’s lead to support the child’s educational needs. They have also developed a schedule to support informal educational activities. Activities also included those that interested the child, such as outings to theme parks and ice skating.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have revised the children’s risk management plans to outline the necessary actions to take and the strategies to use. However, not all known risks or vulnerabilities are addressed in the plans. Leaders and managers have introduced a system to debrief staff following incidents to support learning and development of practice. All staff are required to read the debrief records to ensure that they stay up to date on any changes to strategies.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have made changes to better meet staff’s supervision needs. Staff told the inspector that they now have opportunities to discuss practice and Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2826739 3 consider how to make improvements. Supervision also provides a forum where staff can express any well-being concerns and raise any worries.

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Findings from the inspection

At the last inspection, leaders and managers recognised weaknesses in staff practice. They acknowledged that staff may experience fear or anxiety about the need to physically intervene. In response, leaders and managers have repeated training to build confidence and have sourced additional training to further support staff development. A recruitment drive has also been carried out to attract more senior staff with relevant experience to help strengthen the leadership and to support the team.

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Findings from the inspection

A monthly independent visitor has been appointed, and reports have been produced and sent to Ofsted as required. Leaders and managers acknowledge that the independent visitor is supporting and challenging best practice, which aids in identifying and addressing any weaknesses.

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Findings from the inspection

Four of the six requirements raised at the last inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2826739 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2826739 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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that risk assessments are robust, correctly identify risk levels, and include strategies to help staff manage and reduce children’s individual risks.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 3 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

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Requirement Due date

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 children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)) 3 November 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2826739 6 In particular, leaders and managers must fully consider the needs of children moving into the home and whether the staff have the skills and training to meet the needs of all children in their care.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2826739 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Caring Hearts Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 105 Stanmore Business Centre, Howard Road, Stanmore HA7 1FW

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Inspector

Jo Tarbie, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2826739 8 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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