Children's home run by Reading Borough Council

Inspection report for children’s home: 2869603 1 Registered provider: Reading Borough Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is run by a local authority and provides short breaks for up to six children at any one time. The home provides care to children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities and/or sensory impairment.

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Information about this children’s home

The home currently provides short breaks to 21 children. During this inspection, there were four children accessing the service for visits across the two days.

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Information about this children’s home

The home re-registered under new ownership on 1 October 2025 and this is the first inspection since that time. The manager was previously registered under the home’s former ownership in May 2022.

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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: 2869603 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a safe, homely environment that is thoughtfully equipped to meet their individual needs. Each bedroom is themed and personalised, with photographs displayed on doors and walls to help the children to feel welcome and secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well and understand their individual needs, no matter how complex. They promote independence in everyday tasks, such as with communication and self-care, and take a strengths-based approach that builds children’s confidence and skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care planning is a clear strength. Staff work thoughtfully to meet each child’s needs, considering detailed health information, appropriate staffing ratios and the matching of children during short break stays. These efforts ensure that every child receives well- planned, personalised support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children have positive experiences through a wide range of tailored activities. These include sensory play, snooker, accessible outdoor equipment, independent travel training, and community visits such as trips to the local beauty salon. These activities help the children to explore new interests, stay active and build connections with their community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home’s Friday Club offers personalised support, including independent living skills, where appropriate. This helps children to grow in confidence, develop practical skills and work towards positive outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers have built strong relationships with neighbours and local businesses and regularly host celebration days where social workers and families join staff to recognise children’s achievements. Events include a summer party, and carol singing and mince pies, with more planned for the festive season. Children’s progress is clear, from trying new foods and managing personal care to enjoying trips, growing in confidence, and feeling less anxious while away from their families.

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

Children’s safety is central to staff practice. When children experience uncomfortable emotions, staff respond with nurturing language and a sound understanding of each child’s needs.

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

Physical intervention is used only when necessary and for the shortest time possible. Incident records are clear and reflective and help staff to learn and adapt their approach. The home promotes a culture of continuous learning for both children and adults. Inspection report for children’s home: 2869603 3 Care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support plans are detailed and they are also informed by direct experience of the staff with each child. These help staff to understand how best to support children’s individual needs and to respond to potential risks.

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

Safer recruitment is thorough. The manager ensures that all references include safeguarding information, and references are followed up with telephone checks. A recruitment checklist helps to ensure that nothing is missed, supporting a robust process that brings the most suitable people into the home.

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

Visual and audio electronic monitoring is only used when medically necessary to safeguard children overnight, with no recordings made. The need for such monitoring is regularly reviewed with parents and placing authorities.

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

Children are encouraged to share how they feel and staff check in with them daily. There have been no complaints, and staff are open and transparent with them about how to raise concerns.

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

Staff treat children with respect and understanding, recognising their individual needs and experiences. They provide consistent boundaries and are open in their practice. Children’s achievements, no matter how small, are celebrated, helping to build their confidence and sense of self-worth.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff are deeply committed to providing high-quality care. Staff feel well supported through regular supervision and team meetings and they take pride in helping children to succeed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers understand the service’s strengths and areas for development, including recruitment and staff retention. They are flexible and responsive, ensuring that children are cared for by familiar, skilled staff. Agency staff are used occasionally, with plans in place to strengthen permanent staffing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training is well-managed, with both core training and targeted training to meet children’s needs. New staff receive a thorough induction and ongoing support, helping them to deliver consistent, well-informed care. Team meetings promote reflection, safeguarding and a deep understanding of each child’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in practice. Staff understand each child’s background and they support cultural and religious learning and celebration.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from families and professionals is overwhelmingly positive. Relationships are open and supportive, with the service described as a lifeline by some families. For one parent, weekly short breaks have helped them to keep their child at home, supporting family stability and a better outcome for the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2869603 4

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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: 2869603 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Reading Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU

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Inspector

Emma Haskell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2869603 6 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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