Children's home run by Clover Homes for Children Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2796105 1 Registered provider: Clover Homes for Children Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 9 October 2025.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2796105 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/03/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2796105 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spoke with both children as part of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has left the home, and one child has moved in since the last inspection. The child who moved out did so in an unplanned way, which is rare at this home. The manager and staff were proactive in providing appropriate support to the child as part of a coordinated multi-agency response. As a result, the child benefited from a positive experience at the start and the end of their time at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and staff share positive relationships. Children say that they feel happy and cared for by the staff team. They have staff members they can talk to about their views, wishes and feelings. Professionals and families equally provide positive feedback about the quality of care and support provided to children and the impact this has on their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s care plans are detailed and provide a thorough overview of their individual needs. Children are actively encouraged to contribute to their plans through child-friendly approaches that promote their voice and participation. As a result, children receive care that is purposeful and supports their individual progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are sought in different ways, including during children’s meetings and one-to-one consultation. Children’s identities are sensitively explored and meaningfully celebrated. This is reflected in feedback from professionals, one of whom said, ‘It is the first time [name of child] has expressed a self-belonging. I believe this is because of the staff being attentive to their needs.’ This demonstrates that children feel valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s relationships with their families are actively promoted. Family time is arranged in line with the children’s wishes and any identified safety considerations. For one child, appropriate steps were taken to support reconnection with their family. For another child, the manager supported changes to family time arrangements to meet the child’s needs and preferences. Families value this approach. One parent said, ‘I can’t ask for a better home for [name of child].’ It is clear that children experience family time that is positive and supports their emotional wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s health needs are understood and met effectively. One child, who experiences anxiety about health appointments, has been sensitively helped to manage their fears. As a result, reasonable adjustments were arranged, enabling the child to receive the medical treatment they required.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to engage in community activities and groups, which helps to develop their confidence and provides them with new interests. As a result, one child has attended a baking event and achieved awards for this. Positive experiences and achievements for children are captured in well-presented memory books. The manager Inspection report for children’s home: 2796105 4 and staff demonstrate a strong commitment to ensuring that children feel valued and take pride in their achievements.

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

Children say that staff help them stay safe. When incidents occur, staff respond promptly to protect children’s safety and wellbeing and take appropriate steps to reduce the likelihood of future risks. Consequences are natural and proportionate, and they are clearly explained to children. This means that children benefit from a well-managed and proactive approach to safeguarding, which seeks to reduce the likelihood of similar behaviours or incidents occurring.

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

Staff understand their role in safeguarding children, including the processes for raising concerns and whistleblowing. When allegations are made, the manager works closely with the relevant safeguarding partners throughout the investigation to ensure that children’s safety is maintained. The manager demonstrates professional curiosity and due diligence in his oversight.

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

Incidents of children going missing from home are minimal. When they occur, staff liaise effectively with other agencies to ensure that children return home safely. Physical intervention practices are also rare. Children are held only as a last resort to keep them and others safe. Follow-up work is carried out with children, and the positive relationships that staff have with them help them understand and manage their emotions.

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

Staff know the children well and understand their individual needs and risks. These are clearly considered and set out in children’s plans, which provide effective guidance to staff. Risk assessments and plans include the voice of the child and explore the underlying reasons for their behaviours. As a result, children receive consistent support that promotes their safety and emotional wellbeing.

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

Children’s achievements are celebrated, and positive behaviour is consistently promoted and rewarded. This approach encourages positive choices and supports children in developing a strong sense of pride in their progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children well and drives staff development and improvement. He oversees all incidents and records to ensure that staff are supporting children effectively. Staff value this approach and feel supported in their role. One member of staff said, ‘I like to know how to improve.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is focused on upskilling the staff team. Staff have access to both online and face-to-face training that is bespoke to children’s individual needs and directly influences their practice. One member of staff spoke about how they had particularly benefited from watching a recorded safeguarding presentation and reading a therapeutic Inspection report for children’s home: 2796105 5 parenting book. As a result, children receive care and support from staff who are committed to learning and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel listened to and supported by managers. They receive regular supervision and annual appraisals. Supervision practice is enhanced through monthly reflective discussions with a therapist. Appraisals review staff development and learning and consider feedback from children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals speak positively about the manager and staff team. One professional reported that educational progress is linked to the support offered by staff. Children participate in education and extra-curricular activities that are tailored to their individual needs and interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been occasions when serious incidents have occurred. Managers ensure that they notify the regulator of all serious incidents and provide relevant updates. However, there was a delay in notifying the regulator of two serious incidents. This did not affect children’s safety. A recommendation has been raised in relation to this shortfall. Inspection report for children’s home: 2796105 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that there is a system in place so that all serious incidents are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate individuals. If the event occurs on a weekend or public holiday, the system should outline the appropriate actions to take. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.3)

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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: 2796105 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Clover Homes for Children Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 New Field Court, Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 3SA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Kristian Greenacre

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Inspector

Julia Edwards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2796105 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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