Children's Home run by Watermead Care Ltd in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2583468 1 Registered provider: Watermead Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider. It can provide care for up to four children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home.

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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 outstanding

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2583468 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/03/2025 Full Good 19/02/2024 Full Outstanding 07/03/2023 Full Outstanding 25/01/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2583468 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have detailed and well-thought-out care plans when moving into and out of the home. Children are fully involved with their moves and the staff team is flexible during these times. Planned moves ensure that children can meet staff, ask questions and familiarise themselves with the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A young person recently moved to independent living. They said that they felt well supported and prepared for independence. Staff helped them to visit and settle into their new accommodation, buying essential items and helping to decorate their new home. The young person continues to maintain positive relationships with staff and to attend social events. They also wrote a personal letter to staff expressing their appreciation for the care and support received and the relationships they had. This demonstrates the meaningful and lasting connections that staff build with children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff foster a nurturing and inclusive environment for children. Children say they feel happy, safe and well cared for. Staff spend meaningful time with each child, listening to their thoughts and feelings. This ensures that children’s voices influence daily routines and care-planning decisions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Social workers say that children make progress in managing their feelings, social skills and self-confidence. This is because staff offer children a stable and consistent environment, even during challenging times. Managers play a key role by providing flexible support to the team, ensuring that children are cared for by familiar, trusted staff who understand their individual needs and experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to take part in activities that promote learning, fun and enjoyment. This includes charitable events, community participation and joint activities with staff and children at the company’s other home.

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

Staff understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. They have an empathetic approach irrespective of behaviours that may present as a challenge to them. This helps children to develop trust in the staff and their ability to keep them safe. Staff help children to develop an understanding of risk through open and age-appropriate discussions. These conversations support children to develop their own awareness of safety, and promote safe decision-making.

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

Children’s risk management plans are detailed. Managers regularly review and update plans following any safeguarding incident. This ensures that staff have up-to-date and clear guidance on the steps they need to take to reduce risk. These plans are individual and reflect each child’s needs, their potential triggers and the strategies that best Inspection report for children’s home: 2583468 4 support them. Staff show a strong understanding of these plans and use them consistently to promote children’s safety and stability.

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

Staff work in partnership with social workers and other professionals to enable children to take age-appropriate and managed risks. For example, staff are supporting one child who did not previously spend independent time in the community to agree clear expectations that promote safe independence and choices.

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

The recent admission of a new child has changed the existing group dynamics and peer relationships in the home. This shift has contributed to an increase in safeguarding incidents. In response, staff are closely supervising interactions, reviewing risk assessments and adapting support strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of all children who live here.

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

For one child, known risks escalate during the evening. In response, staff take the child on calming evening drives. This has helped to de-escalate behaviours, reduce anxiety and provide a safe environment for the child. A social worker said, ‘The child had previously been missing every day, self-harming every day, and visiting risky locations. Overall, these risks have significantly reduced due to the care, commitment and nurture from staff.’

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

Staff work in partnership with specialist services to ensure children receive the right support. When children declined direct support from a drug and alcohol service, the manager proactively arranged for the service to deliver training to the team instead.

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

The manager has updated the location risk assessment; however, it does not yet include feedback from external agencies. This means it does not fully reflect all contextual community risks or how these inform safety planning for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is experienced. She promotes consistency and stability throughout the workforce. The manager is supported by a dedicated responsible individual who knows the staff and children well. They are excellent role models and lead by example.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers and staff have excellent relationships with professionals and families. This collaborative approach ensures that children’s holistic needs are considered. The manager consistently advocates for children to ensure that their needs stay central to decision-making. The manager confidently challenges and escalates any worries, ensuring professional accountability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders support staff to deliver care that is both responsive and nurturing. Staff receive regular clinical input, effective supervision, annual appraisals and mentoring opportunities. The clinical support enables staff to discuss the complexities and challenges of their work. Staff can reflect on their emotional responses, developing trauma-informed strategies with a focus on connecting with children. Staff say that the Inspection report for children’s home: 2583468 5 clinical oversight has supported their well-being and has strengthened the team’s capacity to provide therapeutic care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff’s feedback is exceptionally positive. Staff say they feel valued and supported and proud to work in the home. This has resulted in a stable and motivated workforce. Staff speak positively about the relationships they have with children and their commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is proactive and forward-thinking, seeking out professional development opportunities that enhance staff’s knowledge and deepen their understanding of children’s developing needs. Staff say that they appreciate the strong learning culture, where they are encouraged to reflect on their work, build meaningful relationships with children and continuously refine their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders have produced a quality of care report for this inspection period. However, the report does not include or consider feedback from children about their care experiences. The manager acknowledged this shortfall and will amend the next report. Inspection report for children’s home: 2583468 6

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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

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it. (Regulation 45 (2)(b)) 18 February 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should seek to include consultation with services that have a statutory responsibility for safeguarding children and voluntary services in the neighbourhood where the home is located. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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: 2583468 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Watermead Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 135, 1 Hanley Street, Nottingham NG1 5BL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Anne-Marie O’Reilly

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Inspector

Tazim Akhtar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2583468 8 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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