Children's home run by Belsteads Group

Inspection report for children’s home: 2832739 1 Registered provider: Belsteads Group

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

An independent provider runs this home. It offers care for up to four children aged between eight and 17 with a learning disability or sensory impairment. Three children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in May 2025. This was its first inspection. The manager registered at the same time as the home.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a registered school on the same site as the home. The inspector only inspected the social care provision at this site.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector was aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since the last inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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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 Inspection report for children’s home: 2832739 2 Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2832739 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home. Children have been settled and making good progress since moving into the home. They are supported by dedicated and nurturing staff who they have positive relationships with.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience a wide range of activities. These include visits to safari parks, pumpkin-picking activities and attending a splash park. Staff encourage children to try new experiences as well as engage in established activities, which helps children to develop and progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are being supported to improve their independence skills through completing household tasks and using public transport. Improving their independence skills helps to enhance the quality of children’s lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves into the home are managed well with tailored individual plans. Each child receives a children’s guide pertinent to their individual needs. This provides children with reassurance that their individual needs are understood. Children are consulted regarding all aspects of their lives and on decisions about their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are being met. Care plans outline children’s medical diagnoses and health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Arrangements are in place to ensure that children can access education. A bespoke education plan has been created and implemented by the staff to ensure that children are not missing out on learning. One child is taken by staff to attend their education provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to maintain relationships with family and those close to them. Staff welcome family members when they visit and keep them well informed. Feedback from family members is positive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a purpose-built home that is welcoming. The home has suitable facilities and space to meet children’s needs. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and reflect their interests.

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

Children know that they are safe, and they feel safe. Staff know the children well and place them at the centre of their practice. Staff understand children’s vulnerabilities. Risk assessments are relevant and up to date, with clear actions that guide staff.

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

The manager acts quickly on any safeguarding concerns. Any issues are shared with relevant professionals, and investigations and actions are implemented. Any concerns Inspection report for children’s home: 2832739 4 about staff practice are managed effectively to safeguard children. Internal investigations have led to clear outcomes and changes in staff practice.

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

Medication administration procedures are safe. Managers have ensured that staff are well trained in this area of care, increasing their knowledge and confidence. Additional safeguards are in place, such as a competence check.

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

Physical restraint is not generally used; however, on occasion, a child’s electric wheelchair was switched off due to safety concerns. This has generated learning that this is not appropriate or best practice because it restricts a child’s movement.

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

Incidents are infrequent. However, there are many discussions held with children in a way that helps them to understand the risks they expose themselves to or why actions have been taken. Additionally, children are positively praised, promoting their self-worth and esteem.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She is further supported by a knowledgeable deputy manager who has high aspirations for children. The manager and staff demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering consistent, child-centred practice that is tailored to the children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a very good understanding of the children’s progress. She monitors all aspects of the service well. The manager makes effective use of the external monitoring from the independent visitor to drive further improvement. Good-quality recording and monitoring systems are in place, which underpins the care that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A stable staff team provides continuity of care for children. The staff feel well supported by the manager and each other. Staff take pride in their work and in the progress that they help children to achieve. The manager works positively with social workers and families to support children’s continued progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Robust and effective safer recruitment processes are in place, and staff are provided with a good and detailed training package relevant to their roles. However, one staff member is significantly beyond timescales for obtaining the level 3 childcare qualification required. Inspection report for children’s home: 2832739 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 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

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.

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b)) 2 February Inspection report for children’s home: 2832739 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that records of restraint also detail when a child’s liberty of movement is restricted. This includes, changes to the physical environment of the home and removal of physical aids, such as turning off a child’s electric wheelchair. Restrictions such as these, and all other restrictions of liberty of movement, should be recorded as restraint. Some children, perhaps due to impairment or disability, may not offer any resistance, but such measures should still constitute a restraint. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 47, paragraph 9.42)

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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: 2832739 7

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Inspector

Naomi Starbuck, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2832739 8 and inspects 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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