Children's Home run by Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited in Devon

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 1 SC463431

p.1

Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2013. The manager is currently away from work and suitable interim arrangements are in place.

p.1

Inspection date: 8 December 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 8 December 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: SC463431 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child spent time alone with the inspector and expressed their views and wishes regarding their care. The child was able to share these with the interim manager, who reassured the child their requests will be considered. The child was satisfied with this response.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff provide the child with friendly and nurturing care. The child is relaxed and happy in the home and enjoys spending time with staff.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the full inspection, the staff team has continued to provide consistency and stability for the child. One staff member will be leaving the team. The child expressed sadness about this. Plans are in place to provide them with a positive ending. One staff member shared their frustration about the disparity regarding boundaries for the child and a lack of consistency with this among the team. Leaders are aware of and acting on these concerns.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There have been concerns related to the child’s education. Due to an escalation of risk, the child is currently not attending school. There is a timetable in place, and the school is providing support for the child outside of the setting with a focus on repairing and rebuilding relationships. Leaders and managers have advocated for the child, and there are now plans to support reintegration.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There has been progress in relation to the child’s health and well-being. Changes since the last inspection have seen an improved diet, and the child is doing more activities with staff and has started refereeing again. Meaningful and open discussions about sexual health and relationships have improved, and the child responds positively to these. Professionals have now shared outstanding assessments for the child. The staff are working in collaboration with the therapy team to consider how this can reflect the care planning for the child.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There are ongoing concerns about the child smoking and vaping. The manager has made referrals for external support, and the staff have conversations with the child using professional curiosity to attempt to discourage this habit, determine how the child is accessing such products and remind them of the health risks.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders’ and managers’ understanding in respect of risk has improved. Risks in relation to the child’s vulnerability in the community have been addressed. The interim manager has updated plans to reflect the relevant risks; these offer clear guidance to staff on how to respond.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

When the child has been missing or not met with staff at the agreed time, staff have sometimes failed to follow the protocol in place. They have searched for the child Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 3 but do not consistently report them missing within agreed timescales. The interim manager has reviewed these incidents and helped staff to reflect and learn.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

In most cases, managers respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns relating to the child. They have provided the child with good support and taken immediate action to safeguard them. On one occasion, there was a significant delay in sharing a safeguarding concern with the necessary professionals and external agencies. Leaders and managers have reviewed the decision making and shared key learning with the wider team.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

A member of staff shared a concern with the inspector relating to staff practice. They had not followed the home’s safeguarding processes in relation to this concern. The inspector shared this issue with senior managers, who have taken action to address it.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have made improvements in the home. The provider recognised concerns relating to the safeguarding practice and management oversight and has worked hard to improve them. Senior managers have provided additional support to the team during this period.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Three of the requirements raised at the last inspection have been met, and one has been restated with new actions. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/11/2024 Full Good 14/02/2024 Full Outstanding 21/03/2023 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action when there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

are familiar and act in accordance with the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1)(vi)(vii))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager should ensure that all staff understand the importance of promptly sharing information where there is serious concern for a child’s welfare.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The manager should ensure that staff follow agreed protocols in place to safeguard the child.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In addition, the manager should provide clear guidance to staff relating to how to share concerns regarding the child or practice of staff. 30 January 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Support Hub, Unit 5, Chinon Court, Lower Moor Way, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6SS

p.6

Inspector

Carly Parry, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC463431 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7