Children's Home run by Children & Adolescents Placement Provisions Ltd in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 1 Registered provider: Children & Adolescents Placement Provisions Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. No children have moved out since the last inspection. The child was consulted as part of the inspection process.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a registered manager. The manager was not present on the day of the inspection. The inspection was therefore supported by a member of the leadership team.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken to review progress against four compliance notices set at the previous assurance visit. Although some progress has been made, overall, there is insufficient evidence to determine that the provider has met all steps within the compliance notices. The restriction of accommodation order therefore remains in place.

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This monitoring visit

Management oversight of the home continues to be ineffective. Leaders and managers do not make themselves aware of the conditions of the home. They were unaware of a mattress being laid out in an unused bedroom with a duvet and pillow on it. Leaders do not know why the mattress is set up in this way or where the bedding has come from.

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This monitoring visit

Areas of the home are unclean and unhygienic. There are thick layers of dust on skirting boards and in a bathroom extractor fan. The toilet is unhygienic, and the child’s shower has a screen that appears broken. The child’s bedroom does not have Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 2 functioning blinds, which results in the child having a lack of privacy. Overall, the house does not have a homely or pleasant feel.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s internal doors have failed an inspection relating to fire safety. Although leaders have liaised with a company to remedy this, they have not rectified the issue in a timely manner. The child’s bedroom doorframe also poses a safety risk. This is due to an exposed screw and wooden splinters.

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This monitoring visit

Information is not clearly shared between the management team. This results in parts of the management team being unaware of staff resignations. Leaders and managers do not support staff to tell children their employment is coming to an end. This results in the child being unaware of key members of their care team leaving the company.

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This monitoring visit

Records documenting when a child has been physically held by staff do not meet regulation. The oversight of records by leaders and managers does not identify missing information. Leaders are therefore unable to critically evaluate the hold without the required information. There was one occasion where a child was held on the floor by four members of staff. This has not been appropriately recorded or reviewed by a manager. It is unknown whether this physical hold was proportionate or done safely.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers do not ensure that complainants are informed of how their complaints have been dealt with. Complainants are not appropriately updated of outcomes. This includes concerns raised by children and their families. This risks children and their families feeling unheard.

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This monitoring visit

Processes for ensuring that staff are safe to work in the home are still unclear. Leaders were unable to assure themselves that they had seen the appropriate safeguarding checks for a member of staff who had worked in the home. One shift leader was unable to confirm who a staff member was while they were on shift and caring for the child. The shift leader was unsure if appropriate checks or inductions had taken place for this staff member.

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This monitoring visit

The child does have positive interactions with staff. The child likes spending time with her primary carers and is building strong relationships with them. Feedback from professionals and family indicates that the child is making some progress. For example, the child has had a reduction in serious behavioural incidents.

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This monitoring visit

At the last inspection, a compliance notice was issued under regulation 24, which relates to the CCTV that is used in the children’s home. Leaders have removed one camera, but the other internal camera remains. Staff have not talked to the child about this camera or whether it is used for surveillance or not.

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This monitoring visit

Some progress has been made in completing a learning review of previous incidents. Although staff evaluations are included as part of the review, learning from this review has not been disseminated to the staff. This results in the review not Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 3 supporting the development of staff to reduce the risk of repetition. This is further compounded by staff not having regular practice supervision or reflection.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has consistently informed Ofsted of serious incidents that have taken place since the last inspection. Therefore, the requirement under regulation 40 has been met. The other requirements and recommendations set in addition to the compliance notices were unable to be reviewed as part of this inspection. They therefore remain.

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This monitoring visit

Three additional requirements have been set. One is under regulation 11, in relation to positive endings for children when staff stop working at the home. Another is under regulation 45 due to a significant delay in the report being finalised and submitted to Ofsted. In addition, there is a requirement under regulation 35, which relates to the poor recording and management oversight of restraint practice. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/05/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 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 with the given timescales.

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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 have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of 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—

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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)(c)(e)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the registered person ensuring that there are robust systems in place to review the quality 17 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 6 of care received by children, including how this is documented and evaluated. It also relates to leaders and managers ensuring that any complaints are responded to appropriately. Leaders also need to ensure that all staff have undergone appropriate schedule 2 checks and receive appropriate reflective supervision.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the registered person ensuring that the home is safe for children to reside in. Primarily, that fire doors are suitable and children’s bedrooms have appropriate privacy on windows, such as blinds. It also relates to ensuring that the home environment is hygienic and free from damage.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 17 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance; and

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(c)(d)) 17 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 7 In particular, ensure that monitoring and surveillance is not in place without a clear and agreed rationale to safeguard children. It also relates to ensuring that children are aware of whether cameras are in use so that this is no more intrusive than necessary.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff keep clear recordings of medication given to children.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 17 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children; 15 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 8 that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(viii)(ix)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the registered person ensuring that leaders and staff understand the impact that staff leaving the company could have on children given their lived experiences. It also relates to ensuring that staff are supported in building an appropriate plan of how to notify children of their departure to make endings as positive as possible.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and 15 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 9 has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(viii)(viiii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to records of restraint practice needing to meet regulation. Leaders should have meaningful oversight of all restraint practice.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the registered person ensuring that the independent visitor includes in the report their opinion of whether children are safeguarded effectively and their well-being promoted. 17 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person 15 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 10 intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”).

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the registered manager completing a review of the quality of care provided for children at least once every six months. It also relates to the registered manager sharing the report about the quality of care review and the actions they intend to take with HMCI.

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  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. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that staff provide a nurturing environment

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Recommendations

that is welcoming, supportive and which provides appropriate boundaries in relation to their behaviour. The home must also meet children’s basic day-to-day needs and physical necessities. Staff should seek to meet the child’s basic needs in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met – doing so is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 11 care for the child and value them as an individual. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Children & Adolescents Placement Provisions Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Barratt House Office G3a, Kingsthorpe Road, Northampton NN2 6EZ

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Inspectors

Ellen Monk, Social Care Inspector Chris Haines, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2594233 13 and inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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