Kinder Home Care Services Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 1 Kinder Home Care Services Ltd Registered provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This service is operated by a private provider. It can accommodate up to eight individuals in shared-living arrangements over three premises, which are limited to accommodating looked-after children or care leavers. The provider is also registered to accommodate individuals in single-occupancy and shared-living premises, which are not limited to accommodating looked-after children or care leavers. They currently have no premises open in respect of these two categories.

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provider

At the time of this inspection, three looked-after children aged between 16 and 17 were being accommodated in the same home.

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provider

The registered manager and the nominated individual registered with Ofsted at the same time as the organisation in January 2024.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 22 September 2025 and started that day. The inspector was on site from 24 to 26 September 2025.

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Outcome

Serious or widespread weaknesses lead to significant concerns about the experiences and progress of children. Leaders and managers must take urgent action to address failings. The next inspection will be in approximately six months.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers lack understanding of how to respond to serious incidents and lack sufficient knowledge to differentiate between an allegation and a complaint. They have not ensured that serious incidents are reported to Ofsted.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers were unable to locate important records. Some records did not exist, and others were unavailable due to disorganised recording systems and limited information being recorded. Missing records included those relating to a serious incident when a child went missing following a threat to their life. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 2 Referral and admission procedures do not enable leaders and managers to understand the needs or vulnerabilities of children. This leads to children being admitted to the service whose needs are beyond the scope of supported accommodation. Some staff lack the skills or training to meet these children’s complex needs or keep them safe.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have not ensured that staff follow policies and processes in place to safeguard children.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers were intending to expand the service and increase the number of children they support despite not having sufficient oversight and awareness of the provision. Leaders and managers lack sufficient awareness of issues and have not been effective at addressing them. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Leaders and managers have failed to ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to manage referrals and admissions to the supported accommodation undertaking. They have admitted a child without adequate checks. They failed to identify that supported accommodation was unsuitable for the child. Leaders’ and managers’ analysis of risk is overoptimistic and not based on clear evidence. This has resulted in children expressing concerns and worries about their living arrangements and being exposed to increased risk of harm.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff engagement with children is inconsistent. There are no regular focused sessions being carried out with children. On the occasions they do happen, they are not recorded sufficiently, resulting in emerging needs and risks not being explored or responded to effectively. When children do not engage, there is limited evidence of staff having the skills to overcome this. This does not provide the children with skills and knowledge to reduce and minimise any risk-taking behaviour.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Record-keeping is very poor. Records that are available have limited information, are handwritten and are often not in chronological order. This means children’s progress, voices and participation are not appropriately captured to help understand their experiences and support needs. Some records relating to a recent serious incident were not available at all, and managers were unsure about what had been done or said in respect of the incident.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Some children spoke positively about their experience of moving to the service. They commented that the staff are friendly and welcoming, and they said they helped them get to know the area. This helped them to settle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are helped to develop some life skills to prepare for adulthood through regular prompts and reminders. They benefit from accessing universal services, and the staff support them in making and attending appointments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Most children are accessing education and are making progress with their learning. One child has attendance issues; staff encourage him to attend regularly and support him by reminding him of his routines.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children’s cultural and linguistic needs are broadly met by the staff. Children are made aware of where their local place of worship can be found, and staff use various methods of translation to help them communicate their views, wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children experience a homely and welcoming environment. The children are encouraged to participate in positive activities, such as picnics. This gives them new opportunities to enjoy, build memories and develop positive relationships with adults and peers. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 4 Children are confident in raising concerns. However, they said they have not been informed how to make a complaint.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children have raised concerns about not feeling safe in their home. This is linked to poor decision-making by leaders and managers about whose needs can be met in supported accommodation.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers have not sufficiently assessed known risks arising from children’s previous experiences. Overoptimistic and unevidenced conclusions mean opportunities to recognise, respond to and reduce risk have been missed. When risks are identified, individual risk assessments and support plans are not regularly updated, particularly after significant events or incidents. A safety plan that was referred to by the manager was found not to exist.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders’ and managers’ assessment of the suitability of the location of the premises is not sufficient. Some information is duplicated without consideration of the individuality of each premises. This does not provide assurance that leaders and managers understand risks or benefits in the local area.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers have failed to notify Ofsted following a member of staff being alleged to have abused a child. Although the local authority designated officer was informed, the provider’s subsequent action is unclear. Leaders and managers were unable to provide consistent verbal explanations of actions taken. In addition, until queried by inspectors, leaders and managers had not informed an associated regulator of the concern.

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How well children are helped and protected

On one occasion, leaders and managers failed to provide Ofsted with sufficient details about an incident that threatened a child's life. During the inspection, other incidents were identified that the manager acknowledges should have been reported to Ofsted.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff are aware of some risks the children experience. When children go missing from home, staff take appropriate steps to locate them by attempting to contact them and informing the police and placing authority. When located, the staff check on the children’s well-being, and they are offered an independent return home interview. However, the provider was unable to locate a missing-from-home protocol for one child whose missing-from-home incidents were of serious concern. The inability to access this information promptly means an increased likelihood of delays in sharing it with agencies such as the police.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff have not received training that enables them to understand how to safeguard children or meet their specific needs. This is particularly concerning given that staff sometimes work alone.

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How well children are helped and protected

Poor recording and gaps in records mean that leaders and managers are not always aware of what has happened following serious incidents. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have not managed the service in line with the statement of purpose. As a result, leaders and managers have failed to prioritise children’s needs and well-being. The statement of purpose lacks clarity; it is inaccurate in places and combines the operation of the supported accommodation provision with the provider’s domiciliary care agency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have failed to ensure that staff work effectively as a team to meet the children’s needs and well-being. Leaders and managers have failed to ensure that staff have the necessary skills to carry out their duties and fulfil their responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have not monitored or reviewed the quality of the service effectively. They have not submitted all the requisite internal monitoring reports to Ofsted since registration. Monitoring has not identified most of the concerns identified at this inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have not implemented a workforce plan that sets out how the service will be operated. Supervision and support for staff are inconsistent. Supervision records lack detail, and actions to improve staff practice are unclear. At least one discussion with a member of staff has been recorded as a supervision, with the member of staff unaware that this was what the conversation was. Records relating to annual appraisals could not be located. Some staff have not had inductions linked to their roles, despite having to represent the provider at significant meetings with placing authorities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers were unaware of some gaps in staff training. Some staff have not completed training or refresher training in most courses that are relevant to understanding the children’s needs. When records indicate that staff need specific training before working with children, leaders and managers have not enforced this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager recognises that they have struggled to carry out their role effectively. Despite this, they had planned to expand the service. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 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 Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and the ‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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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 supported accommodation undertaking that puts children first and prioritises their wellbeing and development.

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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 supported accommodation undertaking in a way that is consistent with the ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the undertaking’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work effectively as a team, where appropriate, to meet the needs of children;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills appropriate for the work that they are to perform;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that arrangements are in place to manage referrals of children to the supported accommodation undertaking and admissions of children to premises used as supported accommodation, including, where relevant, emergency referrals and admissions;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that arrangements are in place for the supervision, training and development of staff;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that a workforce plan (see regulation 10) for the supported accommodation undertaking is in place. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)(f)(g)(j)) 4 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The protection standard is that children are enabled to feel safe and that their needs are met. 4 November 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the effectiveness of child protection policies is kept under review and ensure that, where appropriate, those policies are revised;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that there is a suitable person representing the supported accommodation undertaking available to attend any meeting the accommodating authority may hold about a child;

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Requirement Due date

are familiar and act in accordance with child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or any other harm, and act to reduce such risk;

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Requirement Due date

work collaboratively with children to help them understand how to keep safe, by offering guidance and support on how to minimise any potential risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the relevant roles and responsibilities assigned to them by the registered person in relation to protecting children. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(c)(e)(f)(i)(ii)(iii)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

The support standard is that children receive individual and tailored support that meets their needs.

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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

ensure that children are encouraged and enabled to take a lead role in determining the support they receive and to participate in and influence how the supported accommodation operates;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that plans for support are based on initial referral information, are meaningful and are created in full consultation with the child, taking account of relevant plans for the child;

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Requirement Due date

keep the child’s support under review, taking into consideration the plans for support, and relevant plans, to 4 November 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 8 ensure that the child’s needs continue to be met and that the child is kept safe;

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Requirement Due date

comply with requests by the child’s accommodating authority to provide—

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Requirement Due date

a suitable representative to attend any meeting the accommodating authority may hold about the child;

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Requirement Due date

engage and work with the accommodating authority if the registered person has concerns or if the child’s support needs to be changed, including where that change may mean that the child requires more intensive support;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that children are supported to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)(e)(ii)(f)(n))

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Requirement Due date

The accommodation standard is that children experience a comfortable and secure living environment.

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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

ensure that the location of the premises used as supported accommodation is suitable for the category or categories of supported accommodation provided, by—

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Requirement Due date

reviewing the appropriateness and suitability of the location of each of the premises used as supported accommodation (“a location assessment”), and in doing so, consulting and taking into account the views of each relevant person. (Regulation 6 (1) (2)(a)(i)) 2 December 2025

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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 the CIECSS of any revisions and send the CIECSS a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (5), the registered person must ensure that the supported accommodation undertaking is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

Nothing in paragraph (4) requires or authorises the registered person to contravene or not comply with— 4 November 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 9 any other provision of these Regulations, or

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Requirement Due date

any conditions in relation to the registration of the registered person under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000. (Regulation 9 (3)(a)(b) (4) (5)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile, in relation to the supported accommodation undertaking, a plan (“the workforce plan”) which covers the following matters in respect of the recruitment and employment of all staff—

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Requirement Due date

the experience and qualifications of managers and other staff, and any further training required for those managers and staff;

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Requirement Due date

the processes and timescales for staff to complete induction, probation and core training, including in safeguarding and health and safety;

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Requirement Due date

the process for managing and addressing poor performance;

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Requirement Due date

the process and timescales for supervision and monitoring of staff.

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Requirement Due date

keep the workforce plan under review and, where appropriate, revise it, and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the workforce plan available on request to the CIECSS. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e) (2)(a)(b)) 4 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction,

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each permanent appointment of an employee is subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience, and 4 November 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 10 have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 18 (1)(a)(b) (4)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) in relation to each child accommodated by the supported accommodation undertaking which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 2,

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 4 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify the CIECSS and any relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child and the registered person considers that incident to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the supported accommodation undertaking or a person working for it;

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry);

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Requirement Due date

there is an incident involving the use of a measure of restraint of a child;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

includes details of— 4 November 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 11 the event concerned;

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Requirement Due date

any other individuals or organisations who or which have been notified;

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

is made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 27 (3)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)(f) (4)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff work closely with the accommodating authority to review the ongoing suitability of the placement or arrangement and assess the evolving circumstances of the child to ensure that the service continues to provide them with high-quality support that meets their needs and keeps them safe. If it becomes apparent that the child’s needs are such that they require, on a longer-term basis, high levels of care from their placement rather than the support that can be delivered in supported accommodation, the provider should alert the accommodating authority to consider whether the child’s placement in supported accommodation is right for them. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 35)  The registered person should ensure that they carry out a review that focuses on the quality of support provided by the service and the experiences of children

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Recommendations

living in each of the provider’s settings, looking at the impact the support is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. This should be completed every six months. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for the continuous improvement of the service. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 62)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children 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 Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 12

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: The Business Exchange, Rockingham Road, Kettering NN16 8JX

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Beaulah Ndoro

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: info@kinderhomecare.co.uk

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Inspector

Shelley Chowdhury, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Kinder Home Care Services Ltd 13 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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