Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)
Children's home run by Kiwi Children’s Service’s Ltd
Summary
What we read, and from where
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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
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- 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
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- She works hard to ensure that highly effective planning minimises any risks to the child. p.3
- There are strong levels of multi-agency working that ensure other professionals are regularly consulted about safe plans for the child. p.3
- There is an experienced manager leading the home who knows the child very well. p.3
- The manager is skilled and knowledgeable and has high aspirations for the child. p.3
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
Next steps
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What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Leadership & governance2
“The effectiveness of leaders and managers good” p.1
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- 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
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
p.1
good
How well children and young people are helped and protected good
p.1
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
p.1
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.
p.2
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.
p.2
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.
p.2
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.
p.2
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.
p.2
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.
p.3
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.
p.3
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.
p.3
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.
p.3
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.
p.3
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.
p.3
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
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Inspector
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Inspector
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