Children's home run by Waves Care Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2748089 1 Registered provider: Waves Care Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there was one child living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been appointed, and their application to register with Ofsted is in process.

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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: 2748089 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

Staff have worked collaboratively to support the child to settle at the home. They have a clear understanding of the child’s daily needs and routines and have an established care plan in place.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is actively supporting the child’s educational development through discussion with the placing authority and the education provider. These activities are helping to provide structure and a sense of purpose to the child’s day.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s views are considered in all aspects of their care and support. This ensures that their lived experience informs decision-making and promotes a person- centred approach. To further enhance inclusive practice, staff have completed diversity and equality training, strengthening their ability to support the child with sensitivity, respect and cultural competence.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have worked with external agencies to complete an improved, well-informed risk assessment of the child’s needs. As a result, appropriate referrals have been made to specialist agencies to ensure the child receives targeted support. The child’s areas of vulnerability are understood, with clear safety plans in place.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been a marked reduction in incidents of concern and a reduction in the need for staff to use physical intervention. The child is beginning to show signs of trust in the staff’s ability to keep him safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are currently experiencing some challenges to support the child in relation to online safety and the impact this can have on his emotional well-being. They have yet to develop effective strategies to monitor, assess and manage potential risks associated with online safety.

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Findings from the inspection

The child has not gone missing from care.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the full inspection, there have been changes in the management team. Staff report that they feel well supported by the current manager and value the open dialogue around the changes, including the opportunity to provide feedback. Staff are provided with regular supervision sessions to share their views and support their development.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have made progress in response to the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. However, recent improvements have yet to be fully embedded in practice. Therefore, some of the requirements from the previous inspection will remain in place. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2748089 3 The manager is actively working to ensure that staff are suitably trained and develop the necessary experience to meet the needs of the children in their care.

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Findings from the inspection

Internal monitoring processes are in place to support continuous improvement in the progress and experiences of children. These systems are contributing positively to the home’s development. However, senior leaders are not providing sufficient support to managers to address complaints or concerns raised by staff. Recently, there was a missed opportunity to provide appropriate support to managers in handling a complaint sensitively and safely, which may have prevented escalation. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2748089 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/07/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2748089 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 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

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and 20 December Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2748089 6 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, senior leadership must ensure that there is full and consistent oversight and support for managers when dealing with complaints.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful; 20 December Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2748089 7 help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(x))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should consider how and when they support and monitor children’s internet access to help them use the internet safely. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.19) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2748089 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Alpha House, 296 Kenton Rd, Harrow HA3 8DD

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Inspector

Shaheda Dhandia, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2748089 9 regulates 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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