Children's home run by Gratia Cura Residential Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2798304 1 Registered provider: Gratia Cura Residential 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 provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in November 2024. There has been no registered manager since February 2025. The manager at the time of the inspection was due to leave the home in January 2026.

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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 good

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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: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

A full inspection was carried out in April 2025, and the home was judged inadequate due to concerns about the provider’s ability to safeguard children. Ofsted issued a notice suspending the registration of the home. This prevented the provider from moving any children into the home. A monitoring visit took place in June 2025. The provider demonstrated that they had complied with the suspension notice and had met all the relevant requirements set at the full inspection. The suspension notice was lifted following this visit. Inspection report for children's home: 2798304 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/04/2025 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2798304 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been making steady progress at the home. Managers ensured that there was a clear transition plan from the previous home, so that the child’s move into the home was positive. Staff demonstrated sensitivity and attentiveness to her wishes and feelings, particularly in relation to providing activities that she enjoys. Thoughtful arrangements were made to help her settle into the home. Staff work collaboratively with external agencies to support the child’s progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a sharp focus on ensuring that the child has suitable educational opportunities. She does not currently attend an education setting, and managers are working closely with the child’s placing authority to address this. In the meantime, staff are supporting the child to engage with the AQA award scheme. The child has been awarded several certificates. This is helping to build her confidence and maintain educational momentum.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health needs are recognised and are being met. Staf are helping the child to establish a healthier sleep pattern to ensure that she has sufficient rest. They are also providing support to meet her dietary needs, while being sensitive to her preferences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child can communicate verbally but prefers to communicate using Makaton and British Sign Language. The staff team had not previously received training in these communication methods, and this has led to some frustration for the child. She has been teaching staff how to sign, and formal training has now been arranged.

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

Staff work together effectively to keep the child safe. The child’s plans are clear and individualised, and guide staff in understanding how to protect the child from harm, in the home and in the community. These plans include adaptive strategies tailored to specific situations. Updates to these plans are recorded promptly on the electronic system, and staff are required to read and acknowledge any changes. This ensures a consistent and informed approach to safeguarding.

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

The child has been encouraged to participate in community-based activities, with risk management strategies in place. Initially, she struggled to adjust to her new environment, which led to an increase in risk-taking behaviours. In response, staff adapted the activity schedule to reduce pressure and to support her ability to regulate her emotions. This has resulted in improved emotional stability and the development of positive relationships with staff. During the inspection, the child enjoyed a visit to an animal sanctuary and lunch at a local restaurant, an encouraging sign of growing confidence and independence.

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

When the child first moved into the home, she was unsettled and went missing from home, particularly during outdoor activities. On one occasion, when the child refused to Inspection report for children's home: 2798304 4 return home, staff demonstrated resilience and commitment by walking the streets through the night to maintain visual contact and ensure her safety.

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

There have been incidents in the local community when staff were unable to fully support the child, resulting in complaints. Work is ongoing to help the child to understand the impact of her behaviour on others and to promote more positive engagement with the community.

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

Since changes were made to the child’s community activities, there have been no further incidents of her going missing from home. A thorough risk assessment led to the decision to restrict the child’s access to a mobile phone, which has reduced the risk of online harm.

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

Allegations against staff are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Staff are supported to reflect on incidents with an external psychologist. Learning from these reflections is then embedded in daily practice.

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

Staff have not needed to use physical restraint to manage the child’s behaviour. Instead, they use language that is sensitive to the child’s emotional needs, which has proved to be effective in maintaining safety and promoting trust.

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

A court order is currently in place to help to keep the child safe. The specific requirements of the order were having a negative impact on the working environment for night staff. Managers responded appropriately by listening to staff concerns and they have subsequently made the necessary adjustments to the environment, while maintaining the child’s safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection and subsequent monitoring visit, leaders and managers have taken effective action to raise the standards of care in the home. They have recruited new staff and implemented a programme of intensive training to ensure that the team is equipped to meet the needs of children. Staff are supported to work together well as a team. Their contributions are recognised and celebrated through initiatives such as a monthly staff newsletter.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have demonstrated a strong capacity for reflection and improvement. Initially, the child’s complex needs were not fully understood, and staff lacked the specific skills required to meet these needs. Leaders responded swiftly by reviewing and adapting the child’s care and behaviour management plans. This demonstrated a good level of insight and a commitment to timely, tailored interventions that have contributed to the child’s increased sense of safety and emotional stability. However, not all serious events have been reported to the regulator in a timely way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have shown a clear commitment to professional development and reflective practice. They are actively engaged in developing their understanding of the child’s needs and are supported by managers to do so. Plans are in place to provide further Inspection report for children's home: 2798304 5 training to enhance staff communication with the child, ensuring that care is both effective and empathetic.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular supervision and team meetings provide structured opportunities for staff to explore their understanding of risk, reflect on their practice and ensure consistency in care delivery. Inspection report for children's home: 2798304 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

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 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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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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 expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)) 20 February 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 20 February 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2798304 7 promotes their welfare.

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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

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

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

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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.

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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) (2)(b)) 20 February 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday. Notification must include details of the action taken by the home’s staff in response to the event. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.13) Inspection report for children's home: 2798304 8

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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: 2798304 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Gratia Cura Residential Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Park Road, Didcot OX11 8QW

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Inspector

Shaheda Dhandia, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2798304 10 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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