Children's home run by Warwickshire County Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 1 Registered provider: Warwickshire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by the local authority and provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted when the home opened in March 2023 and is suitably qualified.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 28 January 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/01/2025 Full Good 30/08/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a spacious and inviting home. This year, children have enjoyed spending time in the outdoor area. They have taken pride in growing vegetables, which has helped them develop new skills and confidence. The outdoor space is used creatively to promote children’s physical and emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home, and no children have moved in. The manager ensures that transitions are carefully planned and sensitively managed. Transitions have been supported by clear plans that help prepare children for what is to come. When children move on from the home, this is done in a way that prioritises their well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a range of purposeful and enjoyable activities that reflect their interests. Daily routines are well structured; this promotes a sense of security and helps children develop healthy habits.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise children’s education and actively promote attendance and engagement. Not all children are in school; however, this is not attributable to the home. The use of incentives supports children’s attendance with education plans. Staff maintain links with education providers to ensure that children receive the support they need.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff know children well and demonstrate a good understanding of their individual needs and behaviours. Staff are confident in their ability to keep children safe, and they take proactive steps to do so.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff provide emotional support, and they help children recognise and express their feelings in an appropriate way. As a result, children develop improved skills to help them manage their emotions, and they are making steady progress towards being able to manage their own behaviour. Positive behaviour is promoted using incentives that have been tailored to children’s needs and goals. This helps motivate children and encourages socially acceptable behaviour. Staff reinforce clear expectations and boundaries, and children are praised and rewarded when they make positive choices. This contributes to a calm and structured environment where children feel secure.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff plan important discussions with children effectively to help them reflect on their relationships with others. When peer conflict is an issue, these sessions provide a safe space for children to explore their feelings, develop empathy and find positive ways to interact with one another. This work has contributed to improved peer relationships and reduced incidents. Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 4 When physical intervention is necessary to prevent harm, it is carried out safely and proportionately by trained staff. The manager ensures that each incident is followed by a debrief with staff. The manager oversees all incidents to ensure accountability and that the interventions used have been necessary.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Safeguarding procedures are robust. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of how to respond to concerns or allegations. When allegations have arisen, staff have responded promptly and in line with guidance. Leaders and managers ensure that all relevant agencies are informed and that appropriate action is taken to protect children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children feel confident in being able to raise concerns and complaints; they know who they can speak to and feel listened to by staff. This contributes to a culture of openness and trust in the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager has sought a fire risk assessment as required by regulation. Not all actions outlined in this assessment have been addressed. This undermines the effectiveness of the risk assessment and could compromise the safety of children, staff and visitors. While no immediate harm has occurred, failure to act promptly on these risks does not demonstrate a robust approach to health and safety. The manager is aware of the outstanding actions and has sought to address them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced and suitably qualified, and she demonstrates a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children. She is child focused and advocates effectively on behalf of children, ensuring that their voices are essential to decision-making. One professional commented that despite some challenges, the staff have remained committed to the children, meeting the complex needs of the children they care for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works well with the wider professional network. She ensures that communication with external professionals is effective and timely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training is regularly updated; it is varied and covers a range of relevant topics. The manager ensures that staff have the applicable skills and training to enable them to carry out their role effectively. As a result, children benefit from a competent workforce.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager follows safer recruitment practices and ensures that staff undergo all the necessary checks before they start working at the home. This ensures that only suitable adults are employed to work with vulnerable children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders ensure that staff receive regular formal supervision, which provides a valuable opportunity for them to reflect on their practice and develop their skills and expertise. However, leaders have not provided staff with an annual appraisal of their work. This means that there is no structure or process to evaluate longer-term progress and career development. This shortfall has not had an immediate impact on the quality of care but does limit opportunities to support continuous improvement in staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 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

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all actions identified in a fire risk assessment are responded to within a reasonable time frame. 5 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(c)) 9 January 2026

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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: 2716136 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Warwickshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Shire Hall, Warwick CV34 4RL

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Inspector

Chrisoula Contoyianni, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2716136 7 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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Inspector

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