Children's Home run by THR SERVICES LIMITED in West Northamptonshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 1 Registered provider: THR SERVICES LIMITED

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a small private provider 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 home has had no registered manager since 30 June 2025. A new manager is in place who has applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

One child was living at the home at the time of the inspection, and their views were considered.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: 2735355 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

At the last full inspection, one statutory requirement and one recommendation were set. At this assurance inspection, neither the statutory requirement nor the recommendation had been met and are reset. Three new requirements have been set following this visit.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home, and another has moved out. Before the child moved in, some consideration was given to how their needs would align with those of the child already living in the home. However, this lacked detailed analysis, and it was unclear how staff would be able to manage the needs of both children. Key professionals involved with the child already living in the home were not consulted as part of the planning process, which led to missed opportunities for joint planning and a coordinated approach. Required training related to the needs of children identified in their assessment has not been prioritised.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff have developed positive relationships with the child who has recently moved in. Children’s meetings are held regularly, which supports staff to understand children’s wishes and feelings. Although the child is not currently in formal education, staff have supported them to apply for additional courses and have encouraged their interest in apprenticeships. The child is being given informal learning opportunities, such as helping them to prepare for their driving theory test. Staff have supported the child to access local health services and to enrol at a local gym. However, there is a lack of meaningful structure to children’s days, and this can impact on their ability to develop life skills and prepare them for independence.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

For one child, there were concerns about their health and how effectively this was being supported. Staff provided equipment to encourage physical activity and planned relevant activities, alongside completing several key-work sessions to engage the child in discussions about their health needs. The child was not supported to have healthy eating strategies. Staff did not make referrals to relevant external professionals, as identified in the child’s plan, and did not communicate effectively with parents about the efforts being made to promote the child’s health and well-being. This resulted in the child moving out of the home in an unplanned way.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff support children to have regular family time with people who are important to them, which includes visits to the home to help children maintain these relationships.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, no children have gone missing from the home. There are appropriate procedures in place should a child go missing, and staff know how to Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 3 respond. Incidents within the home are infrequent. When they do occur, staff respond using therapeutic approaches to help children manage their emotions and behaviours. These incidents are recorded clearly and appropriately. Feedback from key professionals reflects that despite challenges, children have made progress when living in the home.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There have been several leadership changes, including three managers and three responsible individuals, since the last inspection. Three members of staff left at the same time as a manager, which had an impact on the child living there. Although the child was spoken to about these changes, there are no records of these discussions, making it unclear what support was offered to the child during this period of transition.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff feel well supported, and morale within the home is positive. The staff team is consistent, and children are able to name several staff members who support them and with whom they enjoy spending time. It is unclear how the manager maintains consistent oversight of staff training, and staff would benefit from further support to develop confidence and consistency in managing behaviour that may challenge.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The independent person’s monthly reports are generally of good quality. However, the views of parents and professionals are not consistently included, and the required safeguarding statement is not always clearly recorded. These gaps make it harder to fully assess the quality of care. The responsible individual has recognised this shortfall and has started to put plans in place to improve external oversight of the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/05/2025 Full Good 15/07/2024 Full Good 23/04/2024 Full Inadequate 06/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 5

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

p.5

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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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) (2)(a)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, there should be consistent leadership within the home that supports the development of staff and minimises the impact on children. Leaders should ensure appropriate admission of children based on the needs of the child and children already living in the home, and that training for staff relates to the needs of children. 15 December

p.5

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— 15 December 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 6 the health and well-being needs of children are met;

p.5

Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(iv)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, referrals should be made to appropriate external professionals to support multi-agency care for children with specific health needs, as outlined in their individual plans. Children should be provided with diets that support their health and well-being, and staff should be supported to guide and encourage healthy choices.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background; 15 December Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 7 help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

p.6

Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iv)(vi)(ix))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, staff should support each child to engage in meaningful daily routines and activities that promote structure, build life skills and prepare them for greater independence.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

p.7

Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

p.7

Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that parents and professionals are regularly consulted and that this is reflected in the report, and that the safeguarding statement is clear.

p.7

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 15 December

p.7

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the child’s up-to-date local authority plan is accessible. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 11.1) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: THR SERVICES LIMITED

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Room 2 First Floor, Main Road, Middleton Cheney, Banbury OX17 2PW

p.8

Inspectors

Lorna Walker, Social Care Inspector Majella Russell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2735355 9 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.8

Inspectors

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.9

Inspectors

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.9

Inspectors

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

p.9

Inspectors

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

p.9