Children's Home run by Goldfield Care UK Ltd in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 1 Registered provider: Goldfield Care UK Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to 3 children who require support in respect of social, emotional and behavioural needs, including learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection 3 children have left the home, and 4 children have moved in. There were 3 children living in the home at the time of this inspection. All children were seen, and 2 children were spoken to.

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Information about this children’s home

There is no registered manager in post. The home is being supported by a deputy manager and the responsible individual.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account requires improvement to be good

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Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

Date of last inspection: 3 December 2024

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Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 3

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have not consistently maintained the home. Damage to the home has not been repaired. Damaged garden furniture and play equipment has not been removed and replaced. One child’s bedroom requires maintenance to ensure it offers a therapeutic environment for them to spend time in. In addition, the neighbouring farm have access to the homes garden. Leaders and managers have not arranged for this access to be managed by staff.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have not ensured there are documented care plans in place to meet the needs identified by the placing authority. For example, there are no plans to support children in developing independence skills. This has left one child uncertain about their future and how they will be supported to become more independent. The absence of written care plans makes the provision of care vulnerable to inconsistency.

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improvement to be good

Staff are thoughtful and responsive to children’s needs when they move in or leave the home. Leaders and managers make plans to help children feel supported during these changes. Before moving in, children are invited to visit the home and meet the staff and children. Staff prepare the child’s bedroom to reflect their likes and interests, helping them feel welcome. When children leave, staff create booklets filled with their achievements and memorable moments.

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improvement to be good

Staff prioritise building strong, trusting relationships with children and understand their preferred methods of communication. Staff take every opportunity to engage in fun activities with the children, such as music, dance, and other experiences the children enjoy. Staff embed the home’s therapeutic approach in daily practice. This supports children to develop secure and meaningful connections. Staff seek children’s views and wishes about their care. Children know how to complain. However, a recent complaint made by a child has not been shared with current managers and leaders.

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improvement to be good

Staff support children to access education. When there are challenges with children accessing education, staff support children to complete education in the home. Leaders and managers advocate for children when plans for education do not meet the child’s needs or wishes.

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improvement to be good

Staff support children to access health care, including specialist intervention. Staff speak to children about their needs offering encouragement and education to promote children’s well-being. Staff are good at working with other professionals. A social worker spoken to said ‘communication from staff is really good, they are very proactive with reaching out to work together’.

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improvement to be good

Staff support children to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff will take children to see their family and friends and where required will offer support. Staff Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 4 take time to understand each child’s likes and dislikes and actively encourage their interests. For example, one child is supported to explore their love of nature, while another has been helped to pursue their passion for comic conventions and has attended two events.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers create risk management plans to keep children safe. They update plans when current strategies do not work. Leaders and managers make sure plans promote children’s autonomy and independence. As a result, one child can use the internet and have a phone safely. Leaders and managers have not assessed the home environment to ensure it meets each child needs. Leaders and managers have not ensured that searches of children’s belongings are recorded and that they review these records.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers did not implement plans to support potentially unsafe dynamics with another child when a child moved in. This lack of planning left staff managing situations beyond their skill set. As a result, one staff member did not fully consider this dynamic when providing care. Staff assigned to offer individual support to a child were not with them. This led to a serious incident where two children required hospital treatment. Once the incident occurred, staff acted immediately to keep the children safe. Leaders and managers have reviewed plans to support children moving into the home and identified lessons learnt. These lessons have not yet been embedded in practise.

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improvement to be good

Staff listen carefully when children make an allegation and act to keep everyone safe. Leaders and managers’ report allegations to the relevant safeguarding agencies. They put safeguards in place while investigations take place. After investigations conclude, leaders and managers do not review the allegation or identify lessons to improve practice.

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improvement to be good

Staff respond promptly when children go missing. They maintain contact with children and actively search for them. When children cannot be located, staff appropriately seek support from emergency services. Staff show care and compassion when children return home. Leaders and managers make sure children see and speak with an independent person after they return.

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improvement to be good

Staff help children manage emotional distress. They use a therapeutic approach and de-escalation techniques. To keep children and others safe, staff may use physical intervention. This is only as a last resort and for the shortest time needed. When a child’s emotional well-being deteriorates, staff seek professional support and follow the advice given.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There is no registered manager in post. The responsible individual is actively recruiting but has not yet appointed a manager. The responsible individual has recognised when Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 5 recruiting staff, safer recruitment practise has not been fully adhered to. The responsible individual is taking action to address this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have provided training to staff, some of which meets childrens needs. Staff have not been trained in substance misuse or how to remove ligatures safely, despite this being known needs of children. Leaders and managers provide staff with regular supervision, which is reflective, focussed on children and considers staff well-being. Leaders and managers have not provided staff with regular appraisals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers recognise due to an unsettled period and there being no manager in post, team morale has declined. Although action is being taken to improve morale the full impact of this action remains to be seen. Leaders and managers provide staff with team meetings. Team meetings focus on the needs of children and staff. Team meeting agendas are not shared with staff prior to the meeting and actions are not recorded and reviewed. This impacts on the effectiveness of team meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The responsible individual reviews care being provided through bimonthly audits. This audit considers all aspects of care. Due to there being no manager in post there are no other audits being completed. Current leaders and managers do not have access to previously completed audits. This means managers do not have full overview of the care being provided. There have been two occasions whereby the independent visitor to the home have not submitted their reports to Ofsted. Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health;

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that any ligature risks within the home are identified and appropriate plans are in place to manage these risks 20 February 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 7 In particular, ensure that any damaged furniture or play equipment is promptly repaired or removed, that any damage to the home environment is addressed without delay, and that children’s bedrooms are furnished and maintained to support their health and well-being.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff manage the access to the homes garden

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure staff are equipped to consider children’s individual needs and associated risks when making decisions about the care provided

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure staff maintain the identified staffing levels at all times to safeguard children.

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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

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 is having 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;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(f)(g)(ii)(h)) 20 February 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 8 In particular, ensure that any searches of children’s belongings is recorded and reviewed by managers

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure staff receive training that equips them to meet children’s needs, including substance use and safely removing ligature risks

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure staff respond to children’s complaints in line with the organisations complaints procedure

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure staff have access to regular appraisal

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure practise of staff is considered following allegations made by children

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure there is regular review of care provided and managers have access to previously completed reviews of care.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed;

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Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(f)) 20 February 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 9 In particular, ensure that when children move into the home, there are plans in place to manage known dynamics between them which promote their safety and well-being

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that each child has individual care plans that reflects and meets their assessed needs as identified by the placing authority.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

is not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person so appointed; and

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Requirement Due date

the date on which the appointment takes effect.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii) (2)(a)(b)) 10 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to—

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 44 (1) (7)(a)) 20 February 2026

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Recommendation

Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 10  As set out in regulations 31-33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice ensuring if a person has previously worked in a position involving work with children or vulnerable adults, there is verification of the reason why the employment or position ended. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, April 2015’ page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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: 2782919 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Goldfield Care UK Ltd

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Inspector

Laura Copus, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2782919 12 and inspects 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

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