Children's Home run by Elstree Home Care Ltd in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 1 Registered provider: Elstree Home Care Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to two children. At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. No children have moved out of the home since the last inspection. The child was consulted as part of the inspection.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken to review progress against two compliance notices set at the previous inspection. Significant progress has been made, and the two compliance notices have been met. The restriction of accommodation notice has been lifted.

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This monitoring visit

The child’s family and social worker believe the child has made positive progress since living at the home. They believe that the child is safer than they were and is building positive relationships with staff. The child says that staff ‘listen to me’, which is one reason they like living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

The child spends time trying new foods with staff, for example the child and staff have made pizzas together. This is an improvement since the last inspection.

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This monitoring visit

An education placement has yet to be secured for the child. Staff try to encourage the child to take part in learning, using age-appropriate toys. However, the child appears to have little structured routine.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have begun to develop improved systems for recording information. There are plans in place for how this will support staff to improve the quality of their record-keeping.

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This monitoring visit

Managers are confident about how they will check staff’s knowledge of updated policies and procedures. This is further supported by regular one-to-one discussions Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 2 between the manager and staff. The manager uses these discussions to appropriately challenge staff practice. Where developmental needs are present, the manager is proactive in seeking training. The manager later reassesses the staff member’s knowledge to ensure that the information is retained. The manager’s recording of reflective discussions requires ongoing improvement.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers ensure that they investigate complaints. They liaise appropriately with the local authority designated officer. Managers ensure that they update key professionals.

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This monitoring visit

Staff recruitment files have been reviewed. Many shortfalls raised at the last inspection have been resolved. However, further improvements are required. This includes ensuring that all staff employment gaps are explored. Managers need to be assured that original Disclosure and Barring Service certificates are recorded as seen.

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This monitoring visit

Following any incidents, the manager ensures that they speak with staff and children. These discussions inform the manager’s evaluation. Any feedback is shared with the staff team to improve practice. Staff regularly update children’s risk assessments. However, managers have not ensured that all information is correct.

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This monitoring visit

When the child leaves the home without permission, staff are clear on how to respond. They work in collaboration with the child’s family as well as external agencies. The child’s social worker agrees with the steps that staff take to locate the child. The child generally remains in contact with staff when away from the home. This is a positive change in behaviour and supports the building of trusted relationships and safety for the child. The record-keeping of staff’s actions has improved.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has consistently informed Ofsted of serious incidents that have taken place since the last inspection. Therefore, the requirement under regulation 40 has been met.

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This monitoring visit

The other requirements set in addition to the compliance notices have not been reviewed. They therefore remain and will be reviewed at the next full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

One new requirement has been set at this inspection. This is under regulation 11. It is in relation to ensuring that staff can confidently respond to and de-escalate confrontations from children without relying on the intervention of external services, unless necessary. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/09/2025 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 4

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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

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to visitors’ identities being verified before entering the home. It also relates to ensuring that children’s risk assessments are regularly updated and that factual accuracy is checked by the manager.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated. 1 January 2026

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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—

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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— 1 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 5 lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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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

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

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The manager should review all safeguarding policies and procedures and ensure that staff are implementing these effectively. Additionally, the manager should implement effective systems to monitor the quality of care being provided to children.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

that staff help each child to achieve the health and well- being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(c) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, that advice from health professionals is recorded in children’s files. That discussions with children about health and nutrition should take place and be recorded. That children are supported by staff to have healthy routines. 9 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 6 This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the manager ensuring that children receive effective and meaningful transitions when moving to the home and when leaving the home.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated. 9 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to medication plans being robust when children are away from the home. When children do not accept their medication, staff should know about possible side effects and health advice should be sought and documented when necessary. When children move out of the home, their medication should leave with them or, where appropriate, be taken to the pharmacy.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated. 9 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 9 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 7 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;

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Requirement Due date

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

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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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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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to records of restraints needing to be recorded and evaluated by the manager. This practice should meet regulatory standards.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 8 The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager should ensure that all staff have up-to-date safer recruitment checks in place to ensure their suitability to work with vulnerable children. This includes the exploration of any gaps in employment and managers being assured that they have seen staff’s original Disclosure and Barring Service certificate.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated. 9 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those 1 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 9 expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(xi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the registered person ensuring that staff can confidently respond to and de-escalate confrontations from a child. It also relates to setting clear expectations and boundaries and ensuring that these are followed by all staff to ensure safety in the home. It also relates to supporting children to develop their understanding of consequences and how relationships may be impacting on their behaviour and outcomes.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Elstree Home Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 1 and 2, Unit 1a, First Floor, Sandown Road Industrial Estate, Sandown Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD24 7UB

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Inspector

Ellen Monk, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2849520 11 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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