Children's Home run by Essex County Council in Essex

Inspection report for children’s home: SC044975 1 SC044975 Registered provider: Essex County Council

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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 local authority home provides care for up to five children who experience social and emotional difficulties. It provides a solo placement for one child and shared provision for up to four children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2025.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following a full inspection in August 2025, Ofsted served two compliance notices in relation to regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard’. On 25 September 2025, Ofsted conducted a monitoring visit to establish the provider’s progress in meeting the steps set out in the compliance notice. At this visit, the steps had not been met. A further two compliance notices were served in September 2025. The steps in the compliance notice have been assessed at this full inspection. The steps have not bee fully met, but some progress has Inspection report for children’s home: SC044975 2 been made. Therefore these remaining steps have been raised as requirements and the restriction of accommodation has been lifted. Inspection report for children’s home: SC044975 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/08/2025 Full Inadequate 15/10/2024 Full Good 05/12/2023 Full Good 25/10/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC044975 4

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improvement to be good

At the time of the inspection, there were two children living at the home. One child spoke to the inspectors.

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home. One child moved out of the home following an unplanned ending as staff were no longer able to meet the child’s needs. Notice was issued when the child was in hospital. Staff contributed to the handover process and worked with an agency assuming responsibility for the child’s care. However, a home was not found for the child on discharge from hospital. This creates instability and uncertainty for the child.

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improvement to be good

Another child moved out of the home in a planned way. Staff supported the child with their move to the new home. The child’s departure was marked and celebrated by staff, creating a positive closure and helping the child to leave on good terms.

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improvement to be good

Children’s educational progress is inconsistent. One child is attending full-time education and making steady progress. However, another child does not yet have an education placement. Staff are advocating for a suitable placement. In the meantime, the child is not being supported with any structured learning or daily routine in the home. The child’s day lacks structure, and they have developed an unhealthy sleeping pattern. This means they are not ready to attend education. The children are not receiving the education and support they need to make progress.

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improvement to be good

One child does not feel that their views, wishes and feelings are consistently considered. The child said that staff do not seek their views on events at the home or how the home is decorated. They said that some decisions are being made to ‘tick boxes’ rather than for the benefit of children. There is evidence that staff have acted on some of the child’s wishes and feelings. However, these do not include decisions about the day-to-day environment or activities at the home.

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improvement to be good

One child’s bedroom is not maintained to an acceptable standard. The room lacks storage to help the child keep it clean and organised. The child’s bed is broken and has not been repaired. Staff have spoken to the child about the need to clean the room, but there has not been a proactive response to address the concerns about the room. The damage and lack of appropriate furniture make it look uncared for and difficult to maintain. The room does not reflect the same standard found in other areas of the home. This means the child continues to sleep in a bedroom that fails to offer a sense of value in their surroundings. Inspection report for children’s home: SC044975 5

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improvement to be good

Staff know what to do when children go missing from the home. Missing-from-home protocols for children are clear and reflect their individual needs. Staff follow these protocols when children are missing. Staff attempt to contact the child and search for them when they are missing from home. External professionals shared positive feedback about how staff respond to missing-from-home incidents. Professionals said that staff keep them updated about these incidents. This helps them to maintain effective oversight of the risks for children.

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improvement to be good

Incidents at the home are not consistently managed. Staff do not always act promptly in line with children’s plans. These plans include strategies to de-escalate and reduce potential risks. Because of this, opportunities to manage incidents effectively are sometimes missed. If situations are not managed effectively, there is potential for incidents to escalate.

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improvement to be good

Children are not consistently supported to reflect on incidents or make positive choices. Staff do talk with children following incidents or when issues arise. However, these conversations do not always go far enough to help children understand the impact of their behaviour or develop new ways of responding. There is little follow-up to ensure learning from discussions is embedded. As a result, opportunities for children to learn how to keep themselves safe and make positive choices is limited.

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improvement to be good

Staff have used consequences as part of their wider approach to managing behaviour. However, there are significant gaps in the recording of these measures. This limits management oversight and scrutiny. It is difficult to tell if these consequences are logical and restorative. Managers are not evaluating whether these measures are proportionate and justified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Despite enforcement action taken by Ofsted, the improvements made remain insufficient. Leaders and managers have made some attempts to implement changes, but these have not yet met the required standards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have failed to review and monitor incidents effectively. Oversight is brief and lacks reflection or professional curiosity. Follow-up actions for staff do not consistently address concerns or reduce the risk of further incidents. The lack of detail in reviews means that the additional support children need is not always identified. As a result, children may not consistently receive the support that they require, which could affect their safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

This shortfall also limits opportunities to improve staff practice. Learning from incidents is not consistently identified or shared. Staff are not given clear guidance on what they Inspection report for children’s home: SC044975 6 should do differently. Consequently, chances to strengthen staff skills and improve outcomes for children are lost.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The quality of general recording is inconsistent. Records include errors. There has been conflicting information between the children’s risk assessments and their support plans. Leaders and managers have not consistently addressed these issues. This can lead to staff confusion and therefore increases the possibility of inappropriate actions being taken. This could compromise children’s care and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager is currently working towards their level 5 diploma in residential childcare. They are supported by the deputy manager and a clinical specialist team. Leaders and managers know the children well, speak positively about them and want them to achieve positive outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff are receiving regular supervision. The line management of team leaders has been divided among senior managers in the home. Staff said they have found this helpful. Inspection report for children’s home: SC044975 7

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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 within the given timescales.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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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)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff understand the risks to the children, taking into account their risk assessments and that effective action is taken to reduce these risks;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that children’s bedrooms are furnished suitably and well maintained. 28 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: SC044975 8 PosPThe 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

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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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 has sufficient staff to provide care for 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

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, review records to ensure that there is a full and accurate record and that any issues relating to staff practice or issues with the environment are identified, rectified and followed up with the staff concerned. 28 December 2025

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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; 28 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: SC044975 9 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

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

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Requirement Due date

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)(vi)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Due consideration should be given to the child’s cognitive ability in the development and implementation of any consultation processes. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. In particular, children should be consulted on any events planned for the home, meal plans and home furnishings. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.1)

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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: SC044975 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Essex County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1QH

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Inspectors

Emilja Myers, Social Care Inspector Thembie Mzila, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC044975 11 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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Inspectors

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