Children's home run by The Open Care Group

Inspection report for children’s home: 2846602 1 Registered provider: The Open Care Group

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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 privately operated. It can provide care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in July 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there was one child living in the home who was spoken with by the inspector.

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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: 2846602 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is well supported by staff who know their needs well and adapt to these. The child has developed trusting relationships with all staff and is comfortable asking for support. Their views are listened to, and the child knows that they can go to any of the staff and that they will help them. The child said it is ‘the best place to live’ and ‘all the staff are really kind’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm and welcoming. The communal lounge and kitchen diner is the hub of the home. There is a separate playroom that the child enjoys. A further room is being developed into a cinema room. The child has had input into designing this room to make best use of it. The outside area is equipped with basketball and football nets in line with the child’s wishes, and it is well used. The child’s bedroom is personalised with their favourite things to help it feel homely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made progress in education because staff support the child’s education well and communication with education professionals is effective. They review daily feedback from school by using a smiley face chart. The child can see their own progress and is happy with the reward system, which gives them motivation to do well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the child eats healthy, home-cooked meals every day and plays a part in choosing their own menu. The child is encouraged to be active by going to trampoline parks, bowling or riding their bike and taking part in sports and clubs that they choose, such as basketball and football.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s move into the home was well planned and they were made to feel important straight away because staff took time to understand their likes and have activities lined up for them. Careful consideration is being given to the child’s needs and what the effect a new child moving in might have. Staff are talking to the child about this, which is helping to reduce their anxiety about the prospect of developing a new peer relationship.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take the child to see their family regularly and advocate for them when this is not going well. This leads to effective change for the child. Staff recognise the importance of family relationships but are also conscious of how they can affect the child’s emotions. The child is given emotional support and staff stay with them when visiting family if necessary.

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

The child is safeguarded effectively. Staff have developed a good understanding of the child’s risks and have targeted conversations in line with their needs. These discussions have helped the child to understand better when people are safe and when they might pose a risk, and is now able to make safer judgements in relation to this. Inspection report for children’s home: 2846602 3 Unwanted behaviours are well managed because staff understand the child’s needs. They take time to carefully consider and reflect on what helps most when the child is distressed or unhappy. Clearly written behaviour management plans and risk assessments guide staff so that everyone knows what to do and the child knows what to expect.

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

Consequences used for unwanted behaviour are relevant and effective in helping the child consider their actions. When physical intervention has been used, it has been necessary and proportionate to keep the child safe. For the child, the need for either intervention has reduced over time, as staff get to know them better and they feel safer. One professional said: ‘[Name of child] is the most settled they have been since being in care.’ They noted that there were much fewer incidents. Furthermore, staff talk to the child when the child experiences difficult emotions to try and help them understand what happened and how they can manage their emotions in a safer way.

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

Although there have been no episodes of the child going missing from the home, since the child moved in, staff know what to do should it ever happen and there are clear procedures for them to follow.

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

Steps are taken by staff and managers to ensure that the child is safe online and any concerns are raised promptly with the social worker so that they can be addressed. This leads to effective interventions to safeguard children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have created a strong ethos of care. They are empathetic and put the needs of children first. They want the children in their care to feel safe and happy. This clear priority has become embedded in the team’s culture.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager advocates strongly for the child when necessary and challenges professionals when things are not OK for them. This has led to effective and important changes taking place for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is very approachable. The child knows that they can ask the manager for things that they need or want and can talk about what worries them. They know that they will be listened to and that the manager will take steps to improve their situation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good relationships with other professionals and communication with them is timely and effective. One professional said they were in touch with the manager almost daily and always had a positive response.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team and the staff work collaboratively. Staff have confidence in knowing that support and advice are always available. They said they enjoy working in the home, feel well supported, that training is beneficial, and they feel well equipped to deal with any issues that might arise. New staff feel comfortable asking for help from other more experienced colleagues as well as the manager. Inspection report for children’s home: 2846602 4 New staff benefit from a comprehensive induction. Training is up to date and new staff who join go through a safe recruitment process. Staff develop and learn through a wide variety of training available to aid them in their work. Staff who want to progress are supported to do so.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager oversees this home as well as another home for the provider. He uses experiences from the other home to make improvements at this one. Although he may not always be physically present, he manages his time well to maintain effective oversight and spend time with the staff and children. The manager has realised the importance of delegating tasks to ensure that others take on responsibilities. This helps the team to run smoothly in his absence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Practice-related supervision takes place regularly and although some of the records do not evidence a high level of reflection, the manager is aware of this and is making changes to the process. Team meetings are regular and are used to good effect to share information and discuss the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were raised following this inspection.

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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: 2846602 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Open Care Group

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: A P Robinson & Co, 107 Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby DN31 3ER

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Marlie-Rae Willerton

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Inspector

Amy Groom, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2846602 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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