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Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)

Children's home run by Kiwi Children’s Service’s Ltd

Inspected 29 Oct 2025 · URN 2827840

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Summary

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  • Group verified

    Kiwi Children’s Service’s Ltd

  • Inspection date verified

    29 Oct 2025

  • Inspectors verified

    Sarah Sheffield

  • Helped and protected verified

    Good

  • Leadership and management verified

    Good

  • Overall effectiveness verified

    Good

  • Name on report verified

    2827840

  • URN verified

    2827840

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

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Grade profile

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  • OverallGood
  • Helped and protectedGood
  • Leadership and managementGood

70% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (12,716 inspections).

Tone of the report

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+75Very positivemore positive than 91% of reports of this type graded Good
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Good.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praisestrongstrong relationshipshighly effectiveeffectiveimprovedconsistentlystronglysafe
Criticismconcernseriouslyconcernsgaps

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsAbout the inspection positive critical

Strengths

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Concerns

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Next steps

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What the report dwells on

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Anatomy of the report

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Pages
7
Words of findings
1,155
about usual (typical 1319)
Reading level
Plain English
Flesch 62, typical 51
Average sentence
17 words
Next steps
2
typical 4
Hedged sentences
3%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 76%About the inspection 24%

Full report text

Inspection report for children’s home: 2827840 1 Registered provider: Kiwi Children’s Service’s Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private organisation. The home is registered to care for two children with emotional and social needs, or mental health needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered on 11 June 2025. One child has continued to live in the home since the home was registered.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2827840 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child living at the home at the time of the inspection had lived at the home for several month when the setting was not registered. The child has made timely progress since the home was registered, and their outcomes have significantly improved. The child has been cared for by a core team of staff who have cared for the child consistently since the child moved to the home. The child’s progress is a direct result of not only the skills, knowledge and experience of the staff but also of their hard work and strong commitment to the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from having a core staff team that supports them consistently. Although agency staff have been used, in addition to the core team, there is always a familiar member of staff caring for the child. The strong relationships between the staff and the child have been key in the progress the child has made. Social workers have commented on the high levels of consistent support that have been provided to the child and said that the child really takes comfort from their presence. Many professionals were spoken to and they all commented on how attentive and responsive staff are towards the child, constantly putting them first.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child receives a high level of personalised care that maintains the child’s privacy and dignity. The staff know the child well and can recognise when the child may be unwell or unhappy. When this happens, the staff know what they need to do, and they will seek advice and support appropriately from health professionals. Staff are respectful and they value the child, their views and their identity. Through listening to the child, staff have adapted the support that they provide to them. This has included asking the child for their views on family time, their education and activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to express their views. The child is now much more able to communicate their emotions when they feel upset or worried about something and they are learning strategies to cope with difficulties in their life. Staff look out for signs that the child may be struggling or may need more support. They then talk to the child about what is happening. The team works well together so that it can provide the child with consistent care. There is regular communication between the staff and other people who are important to the child. The home has developed strong working relationships with the child’s social worker and other professionals. Staff support the child to attend meetings that are held about them. Staff help the child to express their views and advocate strongly for them when this is needed.

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

There have been some safeguarding incidents that have occurred when the child has experienced difficulties with their emotional health. On some occasions, it has been necessary for staff to physically intervene with the child to keep them and others safe. There has been a noticeable reduction in these incidents over time. The manager and Inspection report for children’s home: 2827840 3 staff work hard to tackle any risks that the child is experiencing so they can learn from them. They provide the child with strong support and commitment that helps to reduce any risks to the child. The team has worked hard to build strong relationships with the child, and this has been a key factor in reducing risk. Staff know the child well and communicate with them in a way that enables them to feel safe and supported.

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

When safeguarding incidents are identified, these are reported promptly to the social worker and other key professionals. There is effective communication with social workers and other agencies to help keep the child safe. There are strong levels of multi-agency working that ensure other professionals are regularly consulted about safe plans for the child. The staff talk to the child openly about any worries for their safety and respond sensitively to information that the child has shared with them. The staff develop plans together with the child and others to keep the child safe.

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

When the child raised a concern about the practice of a member of staff, this was taken seriously and investigated appropriately. Action was taken to ensure that this practice improved.

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

When concerns are identified about the child’s health, advice is sought appropriately from health professionals and action is taken to ensure the child remains well.

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

There have been no episodes when the child has gone missing, and steps are being taken to review any restrictive practices that are in place. There is a high level of restrictions in place in the environment due to the child’s needs and managers are taking further steps to review this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is an experienced manager leading the home who knows the child very well. She is regularly involved in the child’s day-to-day care and advocates strongly for them. The manager is skilled and knowledgeable and has high aspirations for the child. The manager has shown a strong level of commitment to supporting the child and the staff in this home. She works hard to ensure that highly effective planning minimises any risks to the child. The manager has a good understanding of the child’s needs and understands what needs to be in place to support the child effectively. The manager understands what is working well in the home and any areas for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable team of core staff in the home, and staff know the child well. Many of the staff have worked in the home since it was opened. Staff commented on how they feel valued and part of a team. They said the manager provides regular training opportunities and there are clear prospects for professional growth and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals commented on the high levels of efficiency the manager has. They describe good communication and say that the manager is approachable and responsive. Whenever professionals contact the home, there is a timely response. The manager and staff always attend meetings that are held about the child. Professionals also commented Inspection report for children’s home: 2827840 4 on the strong relationships that the manager has developed with family members, ensuring that they are full involved where possible. There is a good level of management oversight in relation to the child and the home. When gaps are identified, these are addressed, and action is taken promptly to improve practice in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2827840 5

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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: 2827840 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kiwi Children’s Service’s Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2510 The Quadrant, Aztec West Business Park, Bristol BS32 4AQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michelle Whittaker

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Inspector

Sarah Sheffield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2827840 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

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 . 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 .

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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