Children's Home run by Cannon Children Services Ltd in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2737729 1 Registered provider: Cannon Children Services Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager recently resigned. A new manager has been recruited and has submitted her application to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

One child currently lives in the home and did not wish to share their views during this inspection.

p.1

This monitoring visit

An assurance inspection took place on 20 August 2025, which determined serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care of children. As a result, Ofsted served two compliance notices in relation to leadership and management and the quality and purpose of care.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to establish the provider’s progress in meeting the steps set out in the two compliance notices.

p.1

This monitoring visit

One child remains living in the home. Since the last inspection, there has been one safeguarding incident. The child appears more settled at home. Staff are providing a better structure and daily routine, supporting the child with their education and interests, and helping them to work towards their personal goals. This has improved their experiences.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff have received additional training and guidance in attachment theory and therapeutic parenting techniques. The introduction of board games into the home has enabled the staff and child to connect through playful interactions. The social worker said the child is developing a sense of belonging in the home, and they have observed improvements in relationships overall. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2737729 2 The child’s views have been sought regarding personalising their bedroom. Staff and the child have worked together to decorate the home, including painting and choosing furniture. This joint activity has provided an opportunity for staff and the child to share positive experiences, strengthen relationships and work towards building trust.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, recruitment activity has been successful. There is now a full staff team in place, including a new manager and deputy manager. The rota system demonstrates that staff are not working excessive hours. There is an appropriate balance of permanent staff to provide consistency, with agency staff used when necessary to ensure adequate cover for both day and night shifts.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders have demonstrated a proactive approach to improving quality assurance systems and management oversight of day-to-day care. This includes the responsible individual undertaking more frequent visits to the home. Leaders are supporting staff with additional guidance, training opportunities and team meetings that focus on implementing change and planning for continued improvement.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders have reviewed and appropriately responded to the child’s complaint. New policies and procedures regarding complaint management have been implemented. These clearly outline the expectations for recording investigations and the required timescales.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Sufficient progress has been made to consider the compliance notices met. The requirements raised at the last inspection were outside the scope of this visit and were not reviewed. These will be restated and reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2737729 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 27/02/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2737729 4

p.3

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 with the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.4

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.4

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

p.4

Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii)(e))

p.4

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that identified concerns are recorded and acted on in a timely way. This also relates to children who have gone missing from home having the opportunity to speak with an independent person (a return home interview).

p.4

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 5 January 2026

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that— 5 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2737729 5 medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b))

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that the statement of purpose is updated and the information is accurate.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 5 January 2026

p.5

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2737729 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cannon Children Services Ltd

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Calais Hill, Tyler Hill, Canterbury CT2 9LT

p.6

Inspector

Tazim Akhtar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2737729 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7