Children's Home run by Kites Children Services Limited in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1230268 1 Registered provider: Kites Children Services 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 one of 2 children's homes run by a private provider. The home provides specialist therapeutic care and treatment for up to 5 children with complex needs.

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Information about this children's home

There were 3 children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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This monitoring visit

At the assurance inspection on 4 November 2025, significant and widespread concerns were identified. Ofsted subsequently issued 3 compliance notices regarding the safeguarding of children, leadership and management and children's views, wishes and feelings. Ofsted issued a notice of restriction of accommodation to prevent the provider from moving any children into the home.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to monitor the actions taken by the provider in response to the compliance notices and to review the restriction of accommodation notice. The provider has taken appropriate action and the steps in the compliance notices are met. The restriction of accommodation notice has been complied with.

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This monitoring visit

Since the November 2025 inspection, one child moved out. This was a planned move for the child. Staff supported the child to positively move to a semi-independence provision. The child's time in the home was thoughtfully marked.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, the provider has strengthened their response in respect to safeguarding children and prioritising their concerns. Staff now share concerns with a broader set of senior managers. As a result, practice concerns are quickly identified, protective measures are implemented and appropriate referrals made. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1230268 2 Staff have responded well when children have struggled to manage their emotions positively. Significant incidents are reviewed by managers and the identified follow- up actions implemented. Managers ensure that the children's local authority and Ofsted are notified of any significant incidents.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have created a new audit system to improve oversight of the home. This includes regular, routine audits and checklists for staff. Updates have been made to care planning and admission templates. The changes made simplify processes and make them easier for staff to follow.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have updated children's individual risk assessments. These now contain more detail and the information is easier to understand. Staff spoken to understand the risks that children face and the measures in place to protect them from harm. Children are supported by staff with individualised key-work sessions that support them to understand the risks they face. These approaches help to keep children safer and support them to understand the risks they face.

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This monitoring visit

Team meetings and workshops have been used well to upskill staff's safeguarding practice. Leaders and managers have carried out staff training in bullying, peer violence and incident processing. As a result, staff are clear on their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children and respond to their concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Children's views are now sourced regularly and are well documented. The registered manger spends time with each child individually on a weekly basis to gather the their views. In addition, children's meetings take place frequently. Identified actions arising from these meeting are followed up and the outcomes are fed back to the children. These approaches strengthen children's sense of feeling listened to and supports them to share their views.

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This monitoring visit

When children have raised concerns, these have been responded to appropriately by staff and the manager. Children are spoken to about their concerns, and managers take effective action to follow up concerns raised by children. When managers identify practice improvements, these are implemented. As a result, children's concerns are taken seriously and practice improvements take place.

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This monitoring visit

The two requirements raised at the last inspection have been met. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1230268 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/05/2024 Full Good 21/06/2023 Full Good 06/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1230268 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1230268 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Kites Children Services Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: The Forge, Langham, Colchester CO4 5PX

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Inspector

Syvanna Matthew, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1230268 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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