Children's home run by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2587315 1 Registered provider: Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

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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 short breaks for up to four children who may have sensory impairment and/or physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The service is registered with Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left in August 2025. The home is being managed by an interim manager who has applied to be registered with Ofsted. A new responsible individual has been appointed and Ofsted is in the process of reviewing their suitability.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2587315 2

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children

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Information about this inspection

 the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2587315 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has left and the home is managed by a senior leader, who has worked to improve practice effectively following the last inspection. Staff say that they feel well supported and there is a firm emphasis on teamwork. Morale has improved and this helps staff to be proactive in their approach, which provides continuity of care for children.

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Findings from the inspection

One child was having a short-break stay at the time of inspection. They appeared happy and relaxed. Staff know the children well and respond effectively to their needs. Children who use communication aids are supported to do so. This helps children to express their choices and wishes.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and leaders now play a key part in children’s care planning; they attend reviews and advocate for children. For example, staff arranged a multi-agency meeting to discuss the best care arrangements for a child who has displayed unwanted behaviours when sharing stays with others. As a result, it was agreed that this child could have stays on their own, which will help them to settle more. In addition, there is a more-consistent approach to meeting children’s needs because staff attend review meetings. For example, for one child who requires support with food, there was a coordinated approach between family, the home and school. This helps children to reach their potential.

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Findings from the inspection

Children now benefit from a wide range of activities that meet their individual needs, broaden their interests and enhance their overall experiences. They are supported to take part in more community-based activities, all of which are subject to thorough risk assessments. This ensures that children can participate safely while their health needs are managed effectively. These opportunities promote children’s inclusion, independence and enjoyment.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been incidents of unwanted behaviours following the last inspection. Children have not been held or gone missing from the home. Staff support children with their behaviour in line with plans that help children to be safe. However, incident records lack detail, and the manager’s oversight is not reflective. This is a missed opportunity to explore themes and patterns and identify triggers to help improve practice that helps and supports children.

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Findings from the inspection

Children typically arrive with their prescribed medication when coming for their stays. However, on one occasion, a child did not arrive with their medication. Staff contacted the appropriate person to locate the medication, but it was not obtained. This resulted in the child going without their prescribed medication. There is an inconsistent approach in the staff team regarding how to manage such situations. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2587315 4 This practice leaves gaps to appropriately support or promote children’s health and well-being.

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Findings from the inspection

Further training has been completed by staff, such as visual impairment training. This training has given staff a deeper understanding of children’s needs. However, there are some delays in bank members of staff completing this training. Furthermore, the manager has not identified if all staff have the suitable qualification for the role of working in residential care.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager demonstrates an awareness of areas requiring development and has implemented plans to strengthen practice. These include improving the monitoring and recording of records to ensure greater accountability and consistency. In addition, the manager has scheduled improvements to the home’s outdoor environment, with a garden refurbishment planned in the coming months to enhance children’s experiences. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2587315 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/03/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/02/2024 Full Good 21/03/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2587315 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 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—

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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)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that effective monitoring and review systems are in place to evaluate and improve practice, particularly when incidents occur. In addition, clear guidance must be implemented regarding the action to take when medication is not brought into the home, to ensure that children’s welfare is consistently promoted. Furthermore, ensure that training assigned to staff is completed.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is partly restated. 8 February 2026

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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 8 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2587315 7 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, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3) the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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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. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(c) (4)(a)(b)) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2587315 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2, Kings Court Business Park, Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, Worcestershire WR5 1JR

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Inspector

Joanne Humphreys, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2587315 9 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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