Children's Home run by First Steps Care Ltd in Worcestershire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2636996 1 Registered provider: First Steps 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 home is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have specific emotional needs and who may have experienced trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left their post on 3 September 2025. The registered provider is actively recruiting for a new manager and has appropriate arrangements in place to oversee the home at this time.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

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: 2636996 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

During this inspection, there were three children living in the home. The inspector spoke to all children and observed them within the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have good relationships with staff. Children are positive about these relationships and shared that they feel happy and safe in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Recent changes in the management team have had an impact on both staff and children. Senior leaders have responded by providing high levels of support, which has helped to minimise disruption and maintain stability. Staff and children spoke positively about the support they have received.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has been redecorated and now provides a warm, welcoming and homely environment. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and well maintained. Children’s rooms reflect their individual preferences, and they say that they feel safe and comfortable in their home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s care and support plans are individualised and provide clear guidance to staff on how best to meet children’s needs. Plans are regularly reviewed by the management team to ensure that they remain current and effective in promoting children’s safety and well-being.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff undertake work with children that helps them to understand their individual needs and risks. This supports children to develop improved coping strategies and make safer choices. The management team now has oversight of these sessions to ensure that they are effective and aligned with children’s care and support plans.

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Findings from the inspection

The senior leadership team has implemented improved monitoring systems that enhance oversight of children’s care and safety. These systems enable managers to identify any emerging issues promptly and consider any actions needed in response. This helps to ensure that children’s needs are met, and they remain safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have introduced a clear framework to support staff in applying consequences that are appropriate, proportionate and aligned with the home’s therapeutic model. Staff are beginning to embed this approach into practice, although it is not yet consistently applied across the team.

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Findings from the inspection

When incidents occur, staff and managers help children to reflect on these. This provides children with the opportunity to express their views and receive emotional support. Managers maintain oversight of these discussions and use them to inform learning and practice development. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2636996 3 Since the last inspection, there have been further incidents where children have harmed one another. In response, the management team has strengthened safety planning and updated risk assessments, which has had a positive impact. Some incidents highlighted shortfalls in staff practice. Leaders have taken appropriate action in response to these concerns. Staff have received additional training to enhance their understanding of children’s needs and to improve their ability to provide safe and effective care. In addition, children have been provided with additional support to help meet their individual needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2636996 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/04/2024 Full Good 19/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2636996 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 staff 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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers should ensure that staff assess children’s risks effectively and take action to manage children’s relationships and reduce their vulnerabilities.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 10 Dec 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2636996 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: First Steps Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Kemp House, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX.

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Inspector

Hayley Booth, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2636996 7 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 looked-after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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