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

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2691235 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

The home is owned by a private provider. It offers care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: 2691235 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not find any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

At the previous inspection, two children were living in the home. One child has since returned to the care of their family, and one child remains. Staff support children when moving in and from the home. This enables children to have positive experiences and reduces anxiety about change.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff support children with their education. One local authority has nominated staff for a roll of honour award recognising the outstanding contribution towards the education of one child. The manager submitted an education, health and care plan application for the other child, which has been successful. The child attended college for an hour on the first day; however, they have refused to attend since, despite staff encouragement.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff make consistent efforts to form relationships with children. It is positive to note improvements for one child, including participation in key-work sessions, engagement in activities and receiving praise from staff for completed tasks.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders regularly review and update children’s risk assessments and behaviour support plans to reflect new risks or emerging support needs. Managers provide ongoing oversight of all safeguarding incidents. Managers make referrals to external services when needed to ensure children have access to the right support.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders appropriately address and investigate allegations made against staff. However, leaders did not notify the regulator of a significant allegation against a member of staff in a timely manner. This prevents the regulator having an overview of safeguarding practice and the safety of children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders respond effectively to children’s complaints and consider children’s views. Leaders have recognised that a potential barrier to this could be the ethnic diversity of the staff team, which is different to that of the children. To address this, leaders have taken proactive steps to recruit additional staff to diversify the team to better reflect the children they care for.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

New staff receive induction and training that include an overview of policies and procedures. However, leaders have not ensured that induction plans include sufficient focus on children’s lived experiences. This limits staff’s understanding of children’s individual risks and the best ways to support them. Experienced team members support new employees who do not care for children on their own. While there are no immediate safeguarding concerns, leaders recognise that further review and strengthening of the induction programme are required. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2691235 3 The manager has good oversight using monitoring systems to ensure that the quality of care provided for children is improving. The manager advocates for children and ensures good partnership working.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

One recommendation from the earlier inspection has been met. Two requirements have been made as a result of this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2691235 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/06/2025 Full Good 10/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/10/2023 Full Good 19/07/2023 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2691235 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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)(iii)(v)(b))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to new staff inductions, including sufficient information about children’s experiences, risks to provide effective support and care that promotes children’s safety and well-being. 18 November

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; 18 November Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2691235 6 an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.5

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

p.6

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to an incident that the registered manager agreed should have been sent as a notification. The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2691235 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cannon Children Services Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Tazim Akhtar, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2691235 8 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.

p.7

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 .

p.8

Inspector

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8