Children's home run by Homes2Inspire Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1254864 1 Registered provider: Homes2Inspire Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private company that is owned and operated by a national charity. It provides care for up to 3 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2017 and was present throughout 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: 3 December 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1254864 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2024 Full Good 13/12/2023 Full Outstanding 22/02/2023 Full Outstanding 02/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1254864 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

As part of this inspection, the inspector spoke with all 3 children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children live in a warm and welcoming home. Children’s individuality is celebrated through the prominent display of items they have created, such as painted portraits and models. Photos displayed throughout the home reflect children’s positive experiences, including holidays, birthdays and other memorable occasions. Bedrooms are thoughtfully personalised to reflect each child’s interests, such as fashion, skateboarding, gaming and playing the guitar. This demonstrates that staff know the children well and value what is important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from consistently warm and trusting relationships with staff. Staff spend purposeful time with children, including shared mealtimes and creative activities around the dining table. This time helps staff understand children’s daily experiences and support their emotional wellbeing. Children speak positively about staff and feel able to talk to them if they are worried. They also enjoy spending time with the manager’s dogs, which provides additional comfort and a calming influence. As a result, children feel heard, safe, valued and well supported in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that all children have the chance to attend school. They promote a strong culture of aspiration by having purposeful conversations that build on children’s interests. As a result, children understand that education is important and feel motivated to participate. When children have been away from school, staff carefully plan and support them to return to education with increasing confidence and emotional security. Staff consistently advocate for children’s individual learning needs, which strengthens partnerships with schools and leads to better educational support for each child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise children’s health needs effectively. They provide opportunities for children to discuss aspects of sexual health in a safe, non-shaming way, supported by trusting relationships. This helps children develop knowledge and confidence in managing their health. When children feel unwell, staff respond quickly and seek professional advice without delay, ensuring that they receive timely care. For children waiting for external services, staff monitor their needs closely and escalate concerns appropriately. This proactive approach helps prevent delays in support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Families say they feel included in their child’s care and that staff listen to them. One family said they trust the staff and feel comfortable speaking with them about their child. When children cannot spend time with their families, staff think carefully about how to support them. They help children make sense of these situations with warmth, sensitivity, and nurturing care, which reduces distress and promotes emotional stability. Inspection report for children’s home: 1254864 4

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

Staff understand children’s individual risks and vulnerabilities well and know how to support them. Risk assessments are clear and detailed, with historical and current risks being noted to demonstrate a holistic understanding of children’s needs and vulnerabilities.

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

Staff have put proportionate and well-considered measures in place to support children’s safe use of the internet. They set reasonable limits on Wi-Fi access and agree on timings for online use with the children. This helps children develop positive daily routines and reduces risks linked to online activity. Staff monitor internet use appropriately and involve children in discussions about how this is carried out. As a result, children understand the purpose of these safeguards and agree to them. One child said that these measures help them feel supported and safe.

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

The manager and deputy promptly respond to allegations. Where practice falls short, action is taken to support children’s safety. Communication with professionals is good and consistent. Reports are detailed and written in a timely manner.

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

Missing-from-home episodes are minimal. Multi-agency working is strong, with staff attending meetings and reporting information without delay to relevant agencies. When children go missing, this is promptly reported, and staff look for them. Plans reflect known information about where a child may be and possible ways to find them. Staff have made attempts to build a strong relationship with one child, resulting in them returning to the home.

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

When children misuse drugs, staff respond promptly and effectively to ensure their immediate safety. Staff spend meaningful time with children to help them understand the risks and negative consequences associated with drugs misuse. They provide clear guidance and education to encourage children to make safer choices. Where additional support is required, staff work proactively with specialist agencies so that children receive targeted intervention and guidance. As a result, children are better informed about the potential for harm.

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

Where children need to be held, staff ensure that this is minimal and proportionate. The recordings made by staff are detailed and written to the child. They show that staff have a good understanding of children’s experiences. Discussions take place between children and staff to allow children to process and positively move forward.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is ambitious for children and actively seeks opportunities that broaden their experiences, including arranging varied social activities and two seaside holidays this year. She maintains strong and constructive relationships with parents and professionals, which supports effective partnership working for children’s benefit. Inspection report for children’s home: 1254864 5 The manager and deputy communicate well and work cohesively, providing consistent leadership and stability for the staff team. Monitoring systems are detailed, well maintained and contribute to the manager’s strong oversight of staff practice. External auditing arrangements add an additional layer of scrutiny and promote transparency across the organisation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they feel happy, respected and valued. Supervision of staff is regular and supports their development. Where practice falls short, the manager discusses this during supervision and takes action to develop practice and ensure children’s safe care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular and well-attended team meetings provide a structured space for staff to reflect on practice and strengthen a culture of curiosity. This open and supportive environment enables staff to think critically about their work and maintain a nurturing, thoughtful approach when supporting children. As a result, children benefit from consistent care delivered by a stable and reflective staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff members benefit from a comprehensive and well-structured induction. Staff say they feel well supported throughout this process, and they discuss how the programme develops their confidence, skills, and understanding of their role. Targeted training is provided when required, including specialist epilepsy training for staff working with one child. This ensures that staff continue to have the knowledge and competence needed to meet children’s individual needs safely and effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: 1254864 6

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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: 1254864 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes2Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Black Country House, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury B69 2DG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Carla-Marie Dore

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Inspector

Rebecca Barker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1254864 8 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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