Children's Home run by Alentar Care Limited in North Northamptonshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795302 1 Registered provider: Alentar Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is managed by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. Neither was available to speak to as part of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024.

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Inspection date: 1 October 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 1 October 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: 2795302 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

Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or on from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have built trusting relationships with staff. They can openly talk about sensitive topics because they know they will be listened to. Children feel valued and cared for.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have education places. One child sat her GCSE exams and is now attending a bespoke alternative provision. The other child attends school. The manager recognised the school was not meeting the child’s educational needs. She has been an excellent advocate for the child. The child’s social worker said they were impressed with how proactive managers have been in ensuring the child receives the right education. The manager is awaiting a tribunal date to discuss alternative school placements.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are encouraged to explore different clubs and activities. They have enjoyed horse care, sea cadets, a football club and youth clubs. Children have benefited from a holiday abroad. For one child, this was his first holiday abroad. Children chose the country and hotel that they went to. Children take part in a range of fun and enriching experiences and make important memories.

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Findings from the inspection

Behaviour support plans are personalised and give staff good guidance. Staff implement plans. One child was previously not engaging with mental health services. Since living at the home, she understands the importance of safely managing emotions and is attending mental health appointments. Consequently, her self-injurious behaviour has reduced.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been some missing-from-home incidents for one child. Staff manage these incidents well. The child has independent return home interviews. The manager understands the importance of encouraging the child’s positive friendships. She has recently started having sleepovers with a friend. The work undertaken with the child has helped to reduce the missing-from-home incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a recent safeguarding incident in relation to a disclosure by a child. The manager has taken prompt and effective action to reduce the risk to children. Staff have sensitively supported children. However, the manager asked a child leading questions and this questioning could jeopardise a police investigation.

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Findings from the inspection

One social worker said she was impressed by the care provided by staff. She is confident in the staff’s ability to safeguard children. She said staff are ‘excellent advocates for children and always put the child’s needs first’. Social workers feel assured children receive good-quality care.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff feel well supported and confident in managers. They said managers are approachable, recognise staff’s strengths and help to develop their practice through Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795302 3 regular supervision. Staff also benefit from clinical supervision, where a safe space is provided to explore children’s past trauma and care needs and to process their own feelings following difficult incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, staff have undertaken a range of training. The training means that staff can support children with their individual care needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The managers have worked to improve the quality of children’s records and the recording system. Staff have completed training to help improve the quality of reports. Children’s plans are personalised and accurate and include children’s views.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager informs Ofsted of serious incidents promptly. However, on one occasion, some of the information was unclear and did not accurately reflect what the manager was attempting to convey.

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Findings from the inspection

All four requirements and three recommendations set at the previous inspection were met.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795302 4

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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— that staff—

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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;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure appropriate procedures are always followed in relation to managing disclosures by children. 2 October 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that information in notifications to Ofsted is clear and accurate. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.14) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795302 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Alentar Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Tree Holdings Ltd, 71 Knowl Piece, Wilbury Way, Hitchin SG4 0TY

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2795302 6 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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