Children's Home run by Searchlight Care Services Ltd in Staffordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2490939 1 Registered provider: Searchlight Care Services Ltd

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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 operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for one child who has had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a manager in post, who registered with Ofsted in August 2023. The manager is experienced and has an appropriate management qualification.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. The child was spoken with as part of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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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: 2490939 2

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Findings from the inspection

We identified the following serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has continued to be a high number of physical interventions. Several of these restraints have taken place without the use of de ‑ escalation techniques, as outlined in the child’s plan. This increases the risk of unnecessary physical intervention and does not support a therapeutic approach.

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Findings from the inspection

When physical intervention has been deemed necessary, multiple holds have occurred during incidents. On at least one occasion, the child experienced three separate holds during a single incident. On another occasion, the child was held for an extended period, raising concerns about the proportionality and effectiveness of the intervention.

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Findings from the inspection

During one physical intervention, the child reported having marks on their thighs. The registered manager did not fully explore this concern, and no medical advice was sought. Following the hold, the child was asked if they had any injuries. When they said no, staff accepted this response without carrying out their own checks. This practice does not ensure the child’s safety.

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Findings from the inspection

Debriefs with the child following physical interventions are inconsistent and lack creativity in enabling the child to express their views. Records show that managers have made comments that are inappropriate and do not support the child’s emotional wellbeing. This does not ensure that the child is provided with an opportunity to talk about what has happened and how they feel.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager’s oversight of physical interventions is not effective. They do not fully consider the impact that these holds have on the child and have not reviewed whether the current behaviour management plan is effective. This lack of scrutiny means that opportunities to improve practice and reduce physical interventions are missed.

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Findings from the inspection

There are a responsible individual and an operations manager in place. The operations manager is undertaking tasks that fall within the responsible individual’s role, such as supporting staff and supervising the registered manager. This means that the responsible individual does not have full oversight of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The child has lived in the home for just under three years. During the inspection, positive interactions were observed between the child and staff. The child spoke about enjoying Christmas and was keen to show the inspector their presents, particularly their keyboard.

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Findings from the inspection

The child is currently not attending formal education. However, the registered manager has worked in partnership with the child’s social worker to ensure that Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2490939 3 alternative arrangements are in place. This includes sessions at an alternative education provision and support from a tutor. During the inspection, the child visited a local museum as part of an educational activity. This supports the child’s learning opportunities.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, new staff have been appointed. Safer recruitment practices are in place, ensuring that only suitable adults are employed to work in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2490939 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/10/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/05/2024 Full Good 29/01/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/02/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2490939 5

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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.

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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. (Regulation 12 (1)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that physical interventions are proportionate and in line with the child’s needs.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must ensure that the child’s behaviour management plans are reviewed, especially around the use of physical interventions. 18 February 2026

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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;

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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. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that monitoring systems are continually reviewed to ensure that 18 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2490939 6 they remain effective to help children reach their full potential.

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Requirement Due date

satisfy the requirements in paragraph (5)(a) to (c); and have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (7)(b)) 18 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2490939 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Searchlight Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Marcus House, Parkhall Road, Longton, Stoke-on- Trent ST3 5XA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Denver Underwood

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Inspector

Lydia Isaac, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2490939 8 regulates 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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