Children's Home run by Sherlock Healthcare Services Ltd in Birmingham

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1231458 1 Registered provider: Sherlock Healthcare Services Ltd

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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 run by a private organisation. The home provides care for up to three children who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. The inspector spoke with both children.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager was appointed in October 2025. They have yet to apply to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 20 November 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 20 November 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: 1231458 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

Since the last visit, one child left the home in an unplanned way. Despite this, managers and staff used a child-centred approach to ensure a positive ending. The child remained in contact with staff and expressed appreciation for their support. Staff also made sure the child’s belongings were stored securely and transferred with sensitivity. These actions demonstrate the strong, positive relationships between the child and the staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders, together with the new manager, have begun implementing systems to strengthen oversight of all areas of the home. This includes the introduction of a range of internal auditing and review processes, alongside a full overhaul of the electronic recording system. Leaders have also appointed an improvement partner and a quality and development manager. While these are positive early steps, opportunities have been missed to ensure that serious incidents are notified to the regulator without delay. Delayed reporting reduces the effectiveness of external safeguarding oversight.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers and leaders have carried out several learning reviews following incidents, leading to staff completing additional training to strengthen their practice. Children are now supported by a more stable staff team, which has reduced reliance on agency workers. When agency staff are required, managers ensure that recruitment checks are thorough and provide assurance that adults are suitable to work with children.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have not ensured that the independent visitor consistently seeks feedback from family members and professionals. This reduces opportunities for the home to use external perspectives to inform and improve the quality of care. In addition, managers have not demonstrated sufficient curiosity or rigour when reviewing incidents to identify and address shortfalls in practice promptly. Delays or a lack of robust managerial oversight increase the risk that children may be left vulnerable to harm.

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Findings from the inspection

Children say they feel safe and supported by staff. However, weaknesses in risk management mean that children remain at potential risk of harm. For example, risks relating to online safety and time spent in the community are not sufficiently mitigated. Risk management plans for episodes of going missing, free time and exploitation lack clarity and consistency, and do not provide staff with the guidance needed to safeguard children effectively. Although new risk plans have been developed, these had not been fully implemented at the time of the inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have a clear understanding of the areas that require improvement and have started to take action. However, many of the new measures are at an early stage and will take time to become fully embedded. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1231458 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/04/2024 Full Good 16/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/12/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1231458 4

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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 notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the manager ensuring that incidents are notified without delay. 25 January 2026

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home has 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. 25 January 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1231458 5 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the independent visitor is supported to gain the views of parents and stakeholders to ensure that external feedback is used to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

This also relates to the provider ensuring that when incidents are reviewed, shortfalls in practice are identified and addressed promptly to promote safe practice.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should specify the procedures to be followed and the roles and responsibilities of staff when a child is missing from care or away from the home without permission. This specifically relates to risk management plans providing clear guidance for staff to follow to ensure that children are safe when they are missing or away from the home without permission. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.28) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1231458 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sherlock Healthcare Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite LP38724, 20-22 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GU

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Hilton Mutariswa

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Inspector

Nateisha Cardoza-Evans, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1231458 7 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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