Children's home run by Elevated Living Group Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2845569 1 Registered provider: Elevated Living Group Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is the home’s first inspection since registration in August 2025.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

An acting manager has been in post since October 2025.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

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

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

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.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2845569 2

p.1

improvement to be good

Shortfalls in the leadership and management of the home have impacted the child’s overall experiences. Prior to the child moving in, leaders and managers visited the child’s previous home and family home and spoke with professionals and family members to gain an understanding of the child’s complex needs. However, important information about how the child should be cared for was not shared with staff in a timely manner.

p.2

improvement to be good

The child has complex needs and is non-verbal. Staff are developing their understanding of the child’s individual communication methods. They recognise and respond appropriately to the child’s non-verbal cues, ensuring that their care needs are met safely and effectively.

p.2

improvement to be good

The child’s health needs are met well. The child has access to universal services and specialist health services as required.

p.2

improvement to be good

The child’s education is a priority for managers and staff. Managers are working closely with the placing authority to ensure that an appropriate school is identified for the child. Staff implement routines that will help to prepare the child to return to education. The child is provided with informal learning opportunities and activities. These include trips to a safari park and a car show.

p.2

improvement to be good

The child spends time with people who are important to them. Family members spend time at the home. One parent reported that they are kept up to date with important information about the child and that the child has made good progress since living in the home.

p.2

improvement to be good

The home is comfortable and well maintained. Prior to the child moving into the home, changes were made to some rooms to ensure that the child’s individual needs could be met. Further refurbishment to the child’s bedroom is planned to ensure that their needs can be met in the longer term.

p.2

improvement to be good

Risk assessments and support plans clearly identify the child’s vulnerabilities and outline clear strategies for staff to follow. Staff understand the risks and manage these in line with the plans. Plans are updated when new risks emerge.

p.2

improvement to be good

Staff are able to recognise when the child is becoming distressed, and they use de- escalation and distraction techniques to provide support. Physical intervention is rarely used. When it has been used, it has been necessary to ensure the child’s safety. However, the records of these incidents do not contain the level of detail required by Inspection report for children's home: 2845569 3 regulation. This limits the manager’s ability to evaluate staff practice and ensure that it is safe.

p.2

improvement to be good

When shortfalls in the administration of medication are identified, leaders take swift and effective action to prevent future occurrences. Safeguarding and health professionals are consulted, and robust medication management systems are now in place. The child did not experience any harm as a result of these shortfalls.

p.3

improvement to be good

The manager has ensured that fire safety procedures are safe and effective. The child has a personal emergency evacuation plan, and staff understand the support that the child would require in the event of a fire. The child has taken part in a fire drill.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

A new interim manager has been appointed since the home was registered. Senior leaders identified shortfalls in the leadership and management of the home and have taken action to address these. Leaders and managers have a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

New staff receive a well-planned induction to the home and say that they feel supported to fulfil their role. Supervision takes place regularly and staff are supported to reflect on their practice. However, some staff have not completed training to help them to meet the child’s specific and complex needs.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The child is supported by a core team of staff. However, agency staff are used to provide cover during the night and periods of staff absence. Shortfalls in checks completed by leaders and managers resulted a potentially unsuitable adult caring for the child. These shortfalls were promptly addressed, and procedures have been strengthened to minimise future risks. Leaders are also taking steps to reduce the use of agency staff at the home.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Record-keeping at the home requires improvement. Some documents supporting the child’s admission to the home were not completed in a timely way and are not accurately dated. The home’s statement of purpose has not been updated to reflect the full range of needs that the home provides care for, or recent changes to management arrangements.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers understand the emotional impact of the role. Staff are provided with opportunities to reflect on the challenges of caring for a child with complex needs. Staff report that managers are approachable, and they can share their views and these are responded to.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Feedback from professionals is positive. One social worker who has worked with the child for several years stated that they can see the child’s progress since living at the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2845569 4

p.3

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.

p.4

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—

p.4

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.4

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;

p.4

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) (2)(b)(c)(e)(f)(h))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff undertake the necessary training to meet the needs of children.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that they have management oversight to evaluate the quality of care being provided and identify areas of learning to make continuous improvements. 28 November 2025

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out— 28 November 2025 Inspection report for children's home: 2845569 5 how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

p.5

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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

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")—

p.5

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.5

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 (1)(a)(b) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(vi)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) (b)(i)(ii)(c)) Inspection report for children's home: 2845569 6 The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children's safety.

p.5

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children's home; or

p.6

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.6

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.6

Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

p.6

Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that Disclosure and Barring Service checks are reviewed and any concerns arising are explored in full prior to an individual working at the home. 28 November 2025

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

p.6

Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that documents are accurately dated at the time of completion. 28 November 2025 Inspection report for children's home: 2845569 7 The registered person must compile in relation to the children's home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

p.6

Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b)) 28 November 2025

p.7

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that consent is gained for any monitoring or surveillance by the placing authority in writing at the time of placement. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 16, paragraph 3.16)

p.7

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: 2845569 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Elevated Living Group Ltd

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: In Accountancy Ltd, 2 Station View, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 5ER

p.8

Inspector

Anna Belshaw, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2845569 9 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.

p.8

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 .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9