Children's home run by Arnfield Care Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report for children’s home: SC020171 1 SC020171 Registered provider: Arnfield Care 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 registered to provide care and accommodation for up to seven children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, five children were living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC020171 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/10/2024 Full Good 22/01/2024 Full Good 02/08/2022 Full Good 10/05/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC020171 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children benefit from living in a home where their safety, well-being and progress are at the centre of all practice. The physical environment is safe, secure and nurturing, providing children with a strong sense of stability and belonging. The home is spacious, well maintained and thoughtfully furnished to a high standard. The large outdoor area offers children meaningful opportunities for recreation and responsibility; for example, one child has designed and built a rabbit run on the lawn to care for the rabbits and guinea pigs. Children are encouraged to take ownership of their bedrooms and personalise them to reflect their individuality and personal interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children make exceptional and sustained progress in their education. Staff and leaders have skilfully tailored educational provision to meet each child’s individual needs and starting points. As a result, children who have previously disengaged from education are now thriving and achieving beyond expectations. For many, this is the first time they have successfully participated in group learning, made possible through the well- equipped classroom and the patient, nurturing approach of staff. Children speak with enthusiasm and pride about their learning, and their attendance and attainment have improved dramatically.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Education is deeply embedded in the culture of the home. The registered manager and staff demonstrate an unwavering commitment to championing each child’s educational rights. They work proactively with schools and local authorities to secure suitable placements, ensure education, health and care plans are accurate and effective, and escalate concerns when delays or shortfalls occur. Their tenacity and advocacy consistently result in positive outcomes for children, who benefit from the same educational opportunities as their peers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Relationships between children and staff are exceptionally strong and built on mutual trust and respect. Staff know the children extremely well and speak about them with genuine warmth and pride. Children describe feeling safe, cared for and valued, and this is evident in the relaxed, positive atmosphere within the home. They express confidence that staff will listen to them and help them through any difficulties.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Direct work with children is a particular strength. Staff deliver well-planned, individualised sessions that help children to understand their experiences, manage emotions and develop new skills. This includes targeted support following incidents and proactive group work delivered in partnership with external professionals. For example, the local police community support officer has delivered engaging sessions on personal safety and the sharing of intimate images, helping children to make safer choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff provide continuity of care and emotional support even after children move on from the home. One young person who recently turned 18 continued to receive consistent Inspection report for children’s home: SC020171 4 guidance and encouragement from staff during a challenging period, reflecting the team’s deep commitment to children’s lifelong well-being.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Highly effective safeguarding practices contribute to children being safe and protected from harm. The manager and staff demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of each child’s individual vulnerabilities and risks. Risk assessments are detailed, dynamic and regularly reviewed to reflect children’s changing needs and circumstances. These are live documents that clearly guide staff in managing and reducing risks. As a result, children’s risk-taking behaviours have reduced significantly since living here.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Children are actively involved in their own safety planning. Staff work collaboratively with children to develop personalised safety plans, ensuring that each child’s voice is central to the process. With ‘my chill out plans’, children identify strategies that help them manage their emotions and self-regulate when they are finding things difficult. This promotes children’s sense of control and ownership over their own well-being. The impact of this proactive approach is evident in the marked reduction in missing-from- home incidents, violent outbursts and self-harming behaviours for several children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

When safeguarding incidents do occur, they are managed calmly, safely and with skilled de-escalation techniques. Physical interventions are rare and only used as a last resort to keep children and others safe. Records of these incidents are detailed, include debrief discussions with both children and staff, and demonstrate reflective management oversight. This ensures that learning is embedded, and practice continually improves. The minimal use of physical intervention reflects the strong, trusting relationships formed and the effectiveness of individualised behaviour support.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Procedures for responding to missing-from-home episodes are robust and effective. Staff act swiftly when a child goes missing, taking immediate and proportionate action to locate them. They actively search local areas, contact known friends and family members, and maintain close liaison with the police and other professionals. Staff know each child’s triggers and vulnerabilities well, which enables them to prevent reoccurrences. As a result, children rarely go missing from home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Care and placement planning is meticulous. The manager ensures that children are only admitted when their needs can be met safely and effectively. This careful planning contributes to overall placement stability and the significant reduction in risk across all children. Staff demonstrate a deep understanding of each child’s history and presenting behaviours, which informs highly individualised care and safeguarding strategies.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Children feel confident to raise concerns and know how to make a complaint. Complaints are rare, and when they do occur, they are dealt with promptly, fairly and transparently by the leadership team. Children receive timely feedback and outcomes, which helps them feel listened to, respected and valued. Inspection report for children’s home: SC020171 5 The independent visitor’s reports provide external scrutiny; however, opportunities remain to strengthen this further by ensuring the visitor routinely seeks and records feedback from children, families and professionals to provide a fully independent view of children’s safety and well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leadership and management is outstanding. The registered manager provides calm, confident and highly effective leadership that is firmly rooted in the needs and experiences of children. Her child-centred approach ensures that the quality of care remains consistently exceptional, even during periods of external scrutiny or change. She leads by example, inspiring her team with her passion, dedication and clear vision for excellence. As a result, children live in a home where they are nurtured, valued and encouraged to achieve their full potential.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager sets exceptionally high standards for both practice and professional conduct. She ensures that all staff share her unwavering commitment to children’s safety, progress and happiness. Staff know the children incredibly well and demonstrate genuine warmth, patience and understanding in their interactions. They are proactive in meeting children’s needs and take pride in celebrating every achievement, no matter how small. The enthusiasm and commitment of staff to improving children’s lives are evident throughout the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and her team work closely and effectively with parents, partner agencies and professionals. Their collaborative approach ensures that children benefit from a comprehensive network of support around them. Feedback from professionals is consistently positive, highlighting the home’s strong relationships, transparent communication and skilled practice. One professional commented, ‘[Child] is flourishing in the home. For the first time in their life, they are surrounded by adults who are consistent, boundaried, protective and therapeutic. They are aspirational for [child].’ Such feedback reflects the deep impact that leadership has on children’s progress and well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders ensure that staff receive excellent supervision, support and professional development. Regular team meetings and reflective supervision sessions promote an open learning culture where staff are encouraged to think critically about their practice. The emotional demands of the work are recognised and managed sensitively, ensuring that staff remain resilient, motivated and well supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Training and induction activities are comprehensive, well planned and tailored to meet the specific and often complex needs of the children. Staff are up to date with current research, legislation and best practice within residential childcare practice. This ensures that the team’s knowledge and skills remain of the highest standard and that children benefit from consistently informed, therapeutic care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager exercises exceptional oversight of all aspects of operation. Management monitoring is rigorous and embedded in everyday practice. Every key decision is Inspection report for children’s home: SC020171 6 underpinned by clear rationale, with careful consideration given to the impact on each child. Care records demonstrate strong managerial scrutiny, and supervision records evidence regular, reflective and outcome-focused support. This robust oversight drives continuous improvement and ensures that children’s progress remains at the forefront of all decision-making. Inspection report for children’s home: SC020171 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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: SC020171 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Arnfield Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Generate Business Hub, 13 Bernard Street, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 7AA

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Inspector

Lauren Barwell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC020171 9 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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