Children's home run by 4TH Care Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738777 1 Registered provider: 4TH Care Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private organisation. The home provides residential short breaks for children with learning disabilities. Children can attend for short breaks in groups of up to three children.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There is a permanent manager at the home, they became registered in July 2025. They are suitably qualified and experienced.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There are a total of four children using the short break service. At the time of the inspection two children were accessing a short break at the home. They spent time with the inspector.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

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: 2738777 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have a good experience during their short breaks. Staff plan children’s breaks and provide them with social stories before their visits. As a result, children understand what to expect and this helps them to settle well. Children each have a box of items at the home that are individual and special to them, for example, soft toys and photos. This fosters a good sense of familiarity and belonging.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to access a range of activities at the home, for example, baking, craft and outdoor play. Furthermore, children enjoy going out with staff, recent highlights have included pumpkin picking, visits to the farm and local parks. This really enhances children’s short break experience.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have good access to communication resources. This enables children to share how they are feeling and helps them to make choices. Staff have received additional training to upskill them in children’s communication tools and approaches. Information about the home is available in a variety of formats. Managers have included some interactive aspects to this resource to promote children’s engagement.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff know children well and they understand their needs. As a result, staff and children have built good relationships, children are contented in the company of staff. Staff also understand children's risks, and they provide them with care that keeps them safe. They are attentive to children's needs. They respond swiftly to changes in their presentation; this helps alleviate children’s anxieties.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

While there have been some staff changes, there is a consistent core staff team. There has been a strong focus on developing the skills and confidence of the staff. However, three staff have not completed their qualification in the required time frame. This reduces the overall expertise of the workforce.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

While the manager has made an assessment and a decision for a child to commence short breaks, this process is not documented in their case records.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager is now fully established in their role, and they have effective oversight of the home. This has led to improvements in the quality of care and overall experience for children. Leaders and managers are strong and effective role models for the staff team. This motivates staff and creates a positive and welcoming atmosphere.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have made progress and met all the requirements and one recommendation made at the last inspection. However, one recommendation is restated, along with one new requirement and a further recommendation. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738777 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/07/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738777 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, 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.4

Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

p.4

Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma"); or

p.4

Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

p.4

Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a))

p.4

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to managers ensuring that staff complete qualifications in line with the timescales. In addition, that managers take urgent action to address any barriers and delays. 30 March 2026

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they develop and keep under review a "Statement of Purpose" (regulation 16 and schedule 1). The home’s Statement of Purpose should be child-focused, indicating how the home provides individualised care to meet the Quality Standards for the children in their care. The statement of purpose must be kept up to date and shared with the regulator. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5)  The registered person should ensure that records kept electronically (regulation 38) can be easily accessed by anyone with a legitimate need to view it and, if required, be reproduced in a legible form. The home’s records on each child Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738777 5 represent a significant contribution to their life history. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 14.2)

p.4

Recommendations

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738777 6

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 147 Stamford Hill, London N16 5LG

p.6

Inspector

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738777 7 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.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 .

p.7

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.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