Children's home run by Heartwood Weston Hills Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2781365 1 Registered provider: Heartwood Weston Hills Limited

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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 home is privately operated. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home currently has an interim manager in place following the departure of the previous registered manager.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. Two children were spoken to as part of the inspection.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2781365 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/03/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2781365 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of the children’s histories and needs. Staff aim to provide a consistent and stable home for children to live in. Staff have received specialist training that helps reinforce and celebrate success and set appropriate boundaries. Staff have demonstrated that they provide consistent advice and guidance that helps children develop positive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to have a voice and contribute to the running of the home. Children receive information about the home before arriving and know how to make a complaint. This makes children feel valued and listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated to a good standard and is in a good state of repair. There is room in the home for children to spend time by themselves or within a number of communal areas. A number of photos of the children are displayed around the home. This results in the children feeling they have a warm, welcoming home to live in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Transitions into the home are well planned and children are made to feel welcome. Introductions to the home recognise the needs of the children already living there. Children benefit from meeting staff before arrival, visiting the home before moving in and being able to personalise their bedrooms. This helps reduce the anxiety of moving into a new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and the manager work closely with children’s families and other adults involved in the child’s life. They provide regular updates and communication is good. Staff promote visits to family and friends. One of the children’s family members said how well staff have shared information and how much progress their child has made since living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in education. Education placements are tailored to meet the children’s individual needs. Staff are strong advocates for learning and encourage the children to attend their education provision. Staff will speak to education specialists in order to identify learning opportunities and they will support children in attending school or college.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively seek specialist help for children living in the home. However, on some occasions, this has not been considered and has led to children’s health needs not always being prioritised, and services have not been requested that could support the children’s health.

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

Children receive consistent help and support to manage their behaviour and feelings safely. Staff provide opportunities for individual time with children, enabling them to talk Inspection report for children’s home: 2781365 4 openly and receive guidance. Children say that staff listen to them, take their concerns seriously and respond appropriately. This helps children feel safe and supported.

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

Any risks associated with the children are understood and regularly reviewed by the manager and staff. Risk management plans are clear and help staff know what to do and what action to take in given situations. Staff work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure that information is shared and identify strategies to reduce known risks or concerns.

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

Staff demonstrate awareness of the risks linked to internet use and social media. These issues are discussed with children, and appropriate restrictions are implemented in line with individual care plans. Staff help children understand how to keep themselves safe online.

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

Safeguarding practice within the home is robust. Staff follow clear procedures when responding to concerns about a child’s safety. Child protection referrals are made promptly to placing authorities and local safeguarding teams, and records of referrals are maintained. Staff follow up on outcomes quickly to ensure appropriate action is taken to protect children from harm. Information is shared appropriately with professionals and the regulator.

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

Physical intervention or restrictive practices are only used when necessary to protect children or others. All incidents are recorded, reviewed and monitored by managers. Management oversight is strong and ensures that interventions are appropriate.

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

Children’s views are sought and recorded following any incident, and children are encouraged to reflect on what happened and share their feelings. This approach helps children feel listened to and supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A new manager is in post and brings valuable continuity, having previously worked at the home and developed positive relationships with the children. This familiarity has supported stability and consistency in care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates effective oversight of the quality of care. Independent monitoring visits take place within statutory timescales, and recommendations from these visits are shared with staff and acted upon. This ensures continuous improvement and accountability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Notifications of significant events are made promptly to all relevant authorities, including the regulator and family members. The manager takes swift and appropriate action following incidents to ensure children’s safety and well-being. Inspection report for children’s home: 2781365 5 Written records are clear and descriptive and of a good standard. They provide the children and those working with them insight into what is happening in their lives and what achievements and progress have been made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear understanding of children’s plans and drives progress towards key milestones, including transition to independent living. They monitor individual progress and can evidence the positive impact that living in the home has had on children’s outcomes and life chances. Plans developed within the home align with local authority plans, reducing confusion for children and their families.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership working is strong. Professionals confirm that the manager shares information appropriately and maintains effective communication. One professional commented that the manager and staff are keen to learn and adapt their practice to best support children’s progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Practice within the home reflects its ethos and objectives, which are clearly set out in the home’s statement of purpose and are reviewed regularly. Staff benefit from training and development opportunities. Their views are encouraged through team meetings and supervision. However, supervision has not always been delivered within agreed timescales, and records of one session were missing. This shortfall reduces opportunities for reflective practice and accountability. Inspection report for children’s home: 2781365 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 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;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well-being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) 27 February 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that a record of supervision is kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4)(b). (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 61, paragraph 13.3) Inspection report for children’s home: 2781365 7

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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: 2781365 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Heartwood Weston Hills Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 416 Green Lane, Ilford IG3 9JX

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Inspector

Lisa Richards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2781365 9 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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