Children's Home run by Alentar Care Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2841758 1 Registered provider: Alentar Care 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 owned and operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This was the first inspection of the home since its registration in July 2025. The manager, who registered with Ofsted at the same time, was present throughout both days 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

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: 2841758 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are happy, feel safe and are comfortable spending time with staff. The manager and staff speak warmly of the children. They are proud of them and the progress they have made. The home is warm, welcoming and comfortable. Paintings created by the children are displayed and playfulness between the children and staff is evident throughout the home. Children’s bedrooms are personalised with decor and accessories of their choosing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff make proactive efforts to get to know the children well, starting before they move in by meeting them and gathering as much information as possible. They understand the individual ways in which each child can express their wishes and feelings, and these details are included in the children’s plan, often in the child’s own words. For example, staff respect a child’s preference not to be hugged unless they ask first, which helps the child feel understood and listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and children get to spend one-to-one time together in the form of key-work sessions. These sessions are effective because they address topics relevant to the child’s care. The staff use a therapeutic model to help the children’s overall development, and sessions are recorded well by staff. Sessions take place regularly to ascertain children’s wishes and feelings, including whether they feel happy and safe. They are helped to make choices about the home and their care. This inclusive, child-focused care practice means that the children are always central to the decisions made in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of children’s identity and what is important to them. Where children attend school out of the area, staff ensure they have opportunity to spend time with friends and attend after-school clubs. Children are supported to have hobbies and interests, for example by paying for gym memberships. Important dates for children, such as the birthdays of family members, are captured in the children’s profiles and staff help children to mark these occasions. Children’s achievements are celebrated.

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

Staff understand the risks and vulnerabilities for the children. There are detailed risk assessments that cover known and potential risks to the child. Clear control measures are identified to help staff minimise risks. In addition, there is a good location risk assessment of the home. This includes liaison with local police and external safeguarding professionals.

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

Potential risks for each child are assessed before new children move into the home. There is good consideration of the potential impact of each child on each other, and efforts are made to get to know children before they move in. Inspection report for children’s home: 2841758 3 Management and staff have a thorough understanding of how to reduce risks for children and take proactive steps to do so. They are alert to contextual safeguarding risks and act decisively to mitigate them. For example, staff recognise that being out of education increases children’s vulnerability, so they challenge part-time education plans and persistently pursue full-time alternatives.

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

Children do not go missing, and there have been no allegations or complaints against staff since the home opened. There have been no incidents involving either child since they moved into the home. Risk assessments are clear, and children have individualised behaviour support plans informed by a therapeutic model. This approach helps staff understand children’s needs and respond effectively. For example, when concerns arise about a child’s safety in the community, staff encourage friendships to continue within the home. This enables children to maintain social connections while staying safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children extremely well and is highly reflective. They pay close attention to the quality of care provided and have high aspirations for the children. The manager promotes a learning culture and welcomes feedback to improve practice. Staff feel valued and well supported. They receive regular one-to-one supervision with the manager or deputy, where discussions focus on children’s progress as well as staff welfare and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals have shared positive feedback about their experiences of working with managers and staff. They feel that communication is good because staff provide relevant updates and make them aware of meetings about the children. Good information-sharing has enabled children to receive consistent support from their network.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are additional initiatives that help staff feel valued, such as a monthly ‘Star of the Month’ award nominated by children and colleagues, and a ‘Wow Wall’ that captures positive feedback for each person. These approaches contribute to good staff morale, which has minimised turnover and absence. As a result, children benefit from stable, consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is clear and consistent in their expectations regarding the therapeutic model used in the home and the principle that physical intervention should only be used when absolutely necessary. Staff understand the home’s therapeutic approach, which is reinforced through reflective group supervision and consultations with an independent therapist. Plans are in place to embed this approach further within all supervision and team meeting templates. This ensures that children receive care that is informed by therapeutic principles, promoting their emotional wellbeing and safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive comprehensive training, which includes mandatory face-to-face training as well as taking online courses. The training that staff undertake is designed to meet the needs of the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2841758 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: 2841758 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Alentar Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 71 Knowl Piece, Wilbury Way, Hitchin SG4 0TY

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Inspectors

Terrianne George, Social Care Inspector Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2841758 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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