Children's home run by Care Perspectives Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 1 Registered provider: Care Perspectives Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 15 January 2025.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/04/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 3

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improvement to be good

The inspector spoke with the child during the inspection. Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home. One child recently moved out after a serious incident. Staff called the police, who arrested the child. The manager and staff could have prevented this incident from escalating. The other child moved out in line with their care plan. They experienced a well-planned, smooth and supportive transition. This helped them to settle well in their new home.

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improvement to be good

Children have mixed experiences living in the home. One child experienced a decline in their mental health. There was a delay in them receiving the support they needed. This was due to external factors, as well as receiving inconsistent care from staff. Leaders provided funding for the child to have a specialist assessment. The outcome led to an improvement in the child’s overall well-being. However, this was not sustained, due to the inconsistent quality of care they received.

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improvement to be good

The child lives in a safe, comfortable and homely environment. They can personalise their bedroom to reflect their interests and hobbies. The child cares for two pet guinea pigs, which they take great pride in. Photos of the child are on display around the home. The child is happy and feels a sense of belonging.

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improvement to be good

Managers and staff commit to ensuring that the child receives an education. This has been a supportive and gradual process at the child’s pace. The child now attends tutoring in the community and is transitioning to school. This is good progress from their starting point.

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improvement to be good

Staff help the child to write their own care plan. This helps the child to reflect and recognise their own progress. Detailed child-focused weekly reports also illustrate the child’s experiences. They also contribute to the child’s understanding of their journey living in the home, as well as plans for the future.

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improvement to be good

Staff safely support the child’s relationships with their family. They help family members to better understand the child’s needs and how to respond to them. Family members can visit the child in their home. The child has recently been on holiday with their family. These relationships have significantly improved the child’s emotional well-being.

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improvement to be good

There is an inconsistent approach to safeguarding children. Managers and staff do not always respond promptly to ensure children’s safety. Leaders are carrying out a review of safeguarding practice, particularly management oversight and response to allegations and internet safety. This is because of a serious incident that compromised the safety of Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 4 one child and staff. This led to the child leaving abruptly. The manager and staff did not follow the home’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

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improvement to be good

A full review of the home’s internet system has taken place. This is because of concerns about children’s online use. The review found that the home has stringent security and filters for the internet. However, the manager and staff have shown poor professional curiosity. One child, who has now left, was able to use a mobile phone to play games online without staff’s knowledge. Concerns were raised about potential online exploitation. Senior managers took appropriate action to safeguard them.

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improvement to be good

The manager does not risk assess or plan effectively. The child participated in an activity with an agency worker they were not familiar with. The activity was at a distance from the home. There were concerns about the agency worker being able to drive safely. The manager did not consider or assess this risk, which compromised the child’s safety.

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improvement to be good

Managers have not notified Ofsted of all serious incidents. When they have reported incidents, some of the information has been inaccurate. This compromises the external oversight of safeguarding practice in the home.

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improvement to be good

There is a new interim manager working in the home. They have reviewed the child’s care plan and risk assessment. These documents are very detailed and illustrate the child’s progress. Staff support the child in using safer coping strategies. The child also receives regular therapy with the home’s clinical team. This is having a positive impact on the child’s emotional regulation. As a result, incidents have reduced significantly.

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improvement to be good

Boundaries and expectations for the child are much clearer. The child has a better routine and structure. Staff have clearer guidance, which emphasises consistency and good communication. Managers are reiterating this to them during handovers and team meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager is not working in the home. There is an interim manager in post. Since the last full inspection, 16 staff members have left. As a result, children have sometimes experienced poor and inconsistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Since the last inspection, a new responsible individual has been in post. They have carried out frequent reviews and have identified concerns about children’s care. The provider has also commissioned external professionals to carry out a review. This also identified serious concerns about the oversight and management of the home. Leaders should have identified these concerns sooner. As a result, there has been a delay in taking action to rectify the shortfalls in children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Several action plans have been in place to support and upskill the registered manager. This was initially effective, and there was a period of improvement. However, this was not sustained. As a result, one child’s mental and emotional well-being declined. During this time, they received a lack of nurture and care. Leaders are currently reviewing this Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 5 child’s experience and transition from the home. They have also taken effective action to rectify the gaps in management oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager’s monitoring and oversight of the home are poor. It is unclear what oversight there is of staff practice. Monitoring systems, if any, are weak. The home has a new independent visitor. This will improve the external scrutiny of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff have not received consistent advice and guidance. At times, communication has been poor, particularly in relation to children’s use of electronic devices and mobile phones. The registered manager has not led by example. Boundaries and expectations for behaviour have not been consistent. Children have been left feeling frustrated and upset. The interim manager has implemented new guidance for staff. This is improving their understanding of the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The interim manager has been upskilling staff. Staff have also attended training in relation to the child’s needs. However, some staff members still have a poor understanding of the home’s model of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Record-keeping practice in the home varies. Some records are inaccurate, lack detail and contain language that could be stigmatising. Records also illustrate a lack of professional curiosity. This compromises the manager’s oversight. Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 6

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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

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

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that managers and staff understand the risks posed to children, that they have the skills to respond to ensure children’s safety and that they do 1 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 7 so effectively, efficiently and consistently. This includes ensuring that staff have clear guidance and direction to follow when keeping children safe.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, leaders must take prompt action when shortfalls are identified in the oversight and management of safeguarding children.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must also ensure that the home’s child protection policies remain fit for purpose.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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— 1 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 8 research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

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)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children receive care in line with the home’s statement of purpose. They must ensure that staff understand the home’s model of care and that they have the skills to provide children with good-quality, consistent care.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must develop effective monitoring and review systems. They must ensure that staff understand the quality of care to be provided to children and take swift action to address any identified shortfalls.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff receive adequate training that equips them with the skills to meet the needs of the children they care for. They must ensure that the effectiveness of training in staff practice is monitored and evaluated. This includes professional curiosity and the home’s model of care.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must strive to stabilise the staff team to promote consistency for children.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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 children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose; 1 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 9 that arrangements are in place to ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed;

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Requirement Due date

that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if

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Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child’s needs. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(d)(f)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children’s needs are thoroughly considered throughout their time living in the home. When there are concerns about meeting a child’s needs, the registered person must promptly escalate them to the child’s placing authority.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must explore all avenues to ensure that if and when children move out, this is well planned to promote a smooth and supportive transition.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all serious incidents are accurately notified to Ofsted without delay, including updates.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 1 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

A person may only manage a children’s home if— 1 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 10 having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children—

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Requirement Due date

the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children. (Regulation 28 (1)(b)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the home is managed by a person with the appropriate skills to oversee the safe care of vulnerable children.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording and the use of non-stigmatising language. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2699473 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Care Perspectives Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Mansfield Group, 47 Morris Road, Leicester LE2 6BR

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Inspector

Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2699473 12 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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