Children's Home run by Fair Ways Community Benefit Society in Hampshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2827029 1 Registered provider: Fair Ways 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 large charity and is registered to provide care for up to six children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, there were two children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager have been registered with Ofsted since 23 May 2025.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2827029 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is beautifully maintained and feels warm and inviting. Repairs are addressed swiftly by the company’s maintenance team and the decor is of a consistently high standard. Children are happy with their bedrooms.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a deep understanding of each child’s background and current needs. They have developed effective, individualised approaches to support children during moments of distress, underpinned by secure and trusting relationships. Key-work sessions are used meaningfully to strengthen relationships and to facilitate open, supportive conversations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Therapeutic input from The Hub, the therapeutic arm of the organisation, supports staff to respond to each child with high levels of nurture and patience. The home’s warm, family-like atmosphere enables children to feel safe, accepted and free to be themselves without judgement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s day-to-day healthcare needs are met through close liaison with external agencies and healthcare professionals, including child and adolescent mental health services. However, one child’s need for glasses has not been pursued since their arrival, representing a missed opportunity to address an identified health need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When a child is referred to the home, their needs are assessed alongside those of resident children, and staff teams are consulted before any matching decision is made. The manager has reflected on previous impact risk assessments and now ensures direct contact with the child’s previous placement to gather accurate, timely information to inform matching decisions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Additionally, staff capture detailed insights about children during their time in the home, supporting a well-informed transition to any future placements. The records include careful documentation of emerging sensory needs and subtle behavioural nuances.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children access education suited to their needs, with staff supporting gradual reintegration into full-time learning. While a school place is being sourced for one child, staff ensure continuity and emotional safety in education by tailoring support and creating a calm learning space.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with varied activities, encouraging them to explore new hobbies, to stay active and to build positive community links.

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

Children’s safety is at the forefront of staff practice. Unsettling emotions are managed with nurturing language and a deep understanding of each child’s needs. Any physical Inspection report for children’s home: 2827029 3 intervention is proportionate and brief, with clear, reflective records that support staff’s learning. Incident reports help to identify triggers and guide tailored responses. Post- incident support is delivered empathetically, encouraging children to reflect and grow. The home’s culture promotes continuous learning for both staff and children.

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

The company’s own trauma-informed training programme provides an additional layer of scrutiny and quality assurance, helping to ensure that any physical intervention is necessary and proportionate and that children are not being held unnecessarily.

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

Staff know the children well and foster open, trusting relationships. Children feel safe to share their concerns and are supported throughout the complaints process.

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

Accidents and injuries are promptly and accurately recorded, with management oversight ensuring timely action to safeguard children and staff.

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

Robust systems are in place to ensure safe administration of medication, with errors being rare. The one minor error recorded had no impact and was followed by a formal apology being made to the child.

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

Staff understand the process for reporting allegations and escalating concerns. Therapeutic input supports the team to respond to children, using a trauma-informed approach.

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

Safer recruitment is robust throughout the organisation. References include safeguarding checks, with telephone verification as backup. A thorough recruitment checklist ensures that no steps are missed, helping to secure the most suitable staff to work with children.

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

Children’s internet use is closely monitored through parental controls and communal computer access, to ensure safe online experiences for children.

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

Staff treat children with respect and understanding, and tailor their approach according to each child’s individual needs and experiences. Consistent boundaries and transparency help children to understand natural consequences. Achievements, however small, are celebrated, to build self-worth and confidence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers show an unwavering passion for providing excellent care, inspiring staff to take pride in helping children to succeed. As a result, children receive high-quality care from staff who are genuinely committed to their growth and best outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates clear insight into the home’s strengths and areas for development. An active improvement plan is in place, underpinned by honesty and integrity, reflecting a leadership team committed to continuous improvement. Inspection report for children’s home: 2827029 4 Staff receive regular, effective supervision, supported by team meetings and reflective sessions with The Hub. This promotes professional development and helps staff to feel valued. However, newer staff have not received consistent supervision, and a regular waking night agency staff member has not been offered supervision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive appropriate mandatory and specialist training, tailored to emerging behaviours and risks. Managers regularly liaise with the training team to prevent drift and to ensure timely refreshers. This oversight ensures that children are supported by a qualified and responsive staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff invest in high-quality team meetings that promote reflective practice, curiosity and problem-solving. Safeguarding and children’s individual needs are revisited regularly, with staff encouraged to contribute feedback and learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An open, transparent culture enables staff to raise concerns and challenge practice professionally. This promotes safeguarding and ensures that actions and learning are identified and implemented.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children are cared for by a consistent and sufficient staff team. Managers ensure flexible staffing arrangements, so that children receive support from familiar, skilled adults. A bank of casual staff and multi-site team members help to maintain the continuity of care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2827029 5

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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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)) 31 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 31 December 2025

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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: 2827029 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Building 1000, Lakeside North Harbour, Western Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3EN

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Inspector

Emma Haskell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2827029 7 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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