Children's Home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Limited

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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 by a private provider and is registered to provide care for up to three children who may have social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced and is registered with Ofsted. They were present throughout the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 18 December 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/12/2024 Full Outstanding 19/09/2023 Full Good 31/08/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

At the time of the inspection, two children live in the home. Both children have experienced exceptional stability and have developed strong, trusting relationships with a consistent and skilled team. The children report feeling happy, safe and that they have positive relationships with the staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff provide children with an exceptionally nurturing, stimulating and enjoyable environment where children make excellent progress. Staff and children spend quality time together, engaging in shared activities, such as cooking, outings and celebrations, which help promote a sense of belonging and identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are enthusiastic about recognising and celebrating each child’s achievements. Staff proudly attended an awards ceremony to offer support for one child, who received a certificate for their personal progress. This consistent encouragement and recognition strengthen children’s confidence, self-worth and motivation to succeed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have a strong understanding of the emotional impact of loss, trauma and separation. Children are supported to spend time with people who are important to them and help them to make connections with family. Staff have invited one child’s parent to the home to help a more relaxed and meaningful family experience. Staff also encourage children to form friendships and take part in activities in the community which help build essential social and life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children to explore their interests, such as dance, art and football. One child is successfully completing a work experience at a local youth club. Both children recently enjoyed a holiday abroad. This a significant milestone for one child who was travelling for the first time. Staff provided reassurance and preparation, turning the experience into a lasting positive memory.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are supported to learn and develop their independent skills, such as cleaning and tidying their bedrooms, cooking and shopping. Children are also supported to develop skills to maintain their emotional and physical care. This helps them prepare for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff speak about children with genuine warmth, affection and pride. When children present with behaviours that challenge, staff respond with curiosity, empathy and therapeutic understanding. Their calm, reflective approach helps children feel understood and accepted, enabling them to build resilience, trust and hope for their futures.

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

Children live in a home where they feel safe, secure and genuinely cared for by staff who know them extremely well. Relationships between staff and children are nurturing, Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 4 trusting and stable. This has formed the foundation for the children’s remarkable progress.

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

Children have comprehensive care plans, which provide staff with an in depth understanding of each child’s experiences, emotional triggers and needs. As a result, staff are forward thinking, calm and effective in their responses. This ensures risks are managed safely while also promoting children’s independence and decision-making skills.

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

Safeguarding practice is robust. Incidents are rare, but when concerns do arise, they are managed with professionalism, empathy and a focus on reflection and learning. Staff support children to explore their feelings and gain insight into how to keep themselves safe. This approach enables children to develop personal responsibility and confidence.

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

Staff provide children with clear routines and positive boundaries that are communicated with warmth and consistency. Staff provide firm but nurturing guidance, which helps children to feel secure and understand expectations. As a result, children’s behaviour has improved significantly and their ability to regulate emotions and engage positively with others has strengthened.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s inspirational and effective leadership drives a culture of excellence. Despite the manager being dual registered and managing two homes, her commitment, creativity and determination to achieve the best outcomes for children and staff are exceptional.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager leads by example and promotes a vision rooted in therapeutic child- centred care. She is an excellent role model to the workforce. She ensures that theoretical knowledge is consistently embedded in day-to-day practice. This enables staff to deliver informed, reflective and nurturing support for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say they are well supported, and they are encouraged to contribute and share ideas. As a result, the members of the team feel valued in their roles. Staff are provided with a wide range of development opportunities which help them to self-reflect, gain a deeper understanding of trauma responses and learn how best to offer support and guidance. Staff report that this training has not only strengthened their knowledge and practice but has also improved team cohesion and mutual support for one another.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Reflective practice is embedded across all aspects of care and contributes to consistently positive outcomes for children. Supervision discussions and team meetings are purposeful, reflective and well structured. Topics prioritise children’s progress, safeguarding and staff well-being. This open, learning-focused environment has created a confident, motivated and resilient staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers collaborate with other professionals and build positive professional relationships. Professional feedback is extremely positive. The network is Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 5 kept up to date and communication is effective. This has led to children receiving the same messages and excellent support in line with their care plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have robust quality assurance processes in place. This effective oversight ensures that practice is continuously improving. Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 6

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2662427 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35–37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Tazim Akhtar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2662427 8 regulates 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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