Children's home run by Barnardiston Hall Preparatory School Limited in West Suffolk

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC427652 1 SC427652

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Registered provider: Barnardiston Hall Preparatory School Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private organisation. It provides care for up to three children with moderate to severe learning difficulties and/or autism.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since 2 June 2025. They have applied to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 10 December 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 10 December 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: SC427652 2

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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

The current manager has been in post since the last inspection. They are continuing to learn and develop in the management role with the support of another experienced manager from the service.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have not moved in or out during this period. The manager is knowledgeable about how they would support children moving into and out of the home. They have been liaising with adult services for one child to plan a suitable move on from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has carried out a complete overhaul of the documents and record-keeping systems. The filing system has been reorganised, and all files are now stored on an online cloud. These records are stored securely and are accessible to all other managers in the absence of the registered manager. This system is designed to prevent the loss of case records.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risk assessments are up to date and contain all the relevant information. When incidents occur, consideration is given to whether the risk assessment needs to be updated. All staff are involved in updating children’s relevant documents, meaning that all information is known and shared.

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Findings from the inspection

Each child has a missing-from-care procedure that is specific to their individual needs. These are stored in an easily accessible file, meaning that this information is available to staff promptly if needed. No children have gone missing since the last inspection. The manager is clear regarding her expectations around children and the missing-from-care procedures.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is generally settled, and incidents are rare. When low-level incidents occur, staff respond with empathy and curiosity. Considered responses have prevented incidents from escalating and have kept children safe. When children are unhappy, they are encouraged to discuss what is upsetting them. The staff understand each child’s behaviours in relation to what they may be communicating.

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Findings from the inspection

For one child, there have been concerns about their safety when away from the home. This child felt comfortable and able to talk to the staff about their concerns. The staff reported these to the manager, who reported them to the social worker. These concerns were investigated. This demonstrates that children feel comfortable raising concerns, staff know how to report them, and the manager knows when to escalate and raise them with the local authority.

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Findings from the inspection

Another child has support with understanding healthy routines and boundaries regarding online safety. Staff have balanced the support for this child to develop Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC427652 3 healthy routines combined with the tools, understanding and trust to manage these boundaries themselves. This helps to prepare this child for adult life.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have continued to build relationships with each other. This has been supported by many enjoyable activities and holidays as a group. Children enjoy after-school clubs, including football, rugby, bowling and go-karting. Children’s relationships with each other are positive, and there are very few issues relating to group living.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are supported and encouraged to build their independence skills and to be involved in the day-to-day running of the home. Children earn rewards for being involved in household tasks, and they are responsible for cleaning their rooms, changing their bedding and helping with their laundry. Some children enjoy cooking evening meals, and all children participate in the weekly food shop.

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Findings from the inspection

All children attend school full time and have exceptional attendance. The children are achieving and succeeding in their education. Daily routines, such as staff reading to children and healthy sleep routines, support and encourage children’s learning.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has a good understanding of the situations that need to be notified to Ofsted. There is a system in place to ensure that all relevant changes are notified within the required time frames.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff meetings occur weekly. Staff said that this has improved consistency in the care offered to children. Staff are invited to share any concerns and focus on the progress children have made.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s meetings have been changed to be more child friendly, less institutional and more inviting. During these meetings, children and staff are encouraged to offer each other compliments and consider each other’s strengths. This encourages children to develop kindness and compassion.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has met all the requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC427652 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/01/2025 Full Good 07/06/2021 Full Good 17/09/2019 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC427652 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Barnardiston Hall Preparatory School Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Greenwood House, Greenwood Court, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 7GY

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Inspector

Andrea Bounden, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC427652 6 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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